Purchasing - Buyer

THE MOST TRUSTED NAME IN CELEBRATING STUDENT MILESTONES – HERFF JONES

Herff Jones is the leading provider of graduation and educational products and services designed to inspire achievement and create memorable experiences for students. Herff Jones' products include class rings and jewelry, caps and gowns, diplomas, frames, announcements, and Greek accessories as well as motivation and recognition programs. Since 1920, our team has worked alongside students, faculty, and staff on campuses nationwide to help build a stronger community and celebrate student milestones. Our continued success relies on hiring extraordinary talent, with a passion for making a difference and eagerness to roll up the sleeves, to help us write the story of our next 100 years.

HERFF JONES, Buyer – Arcola, IL

Your Opportunity

The Herff Jones Operations team, based in Arcola, IL is looking for a Buyer to join our team.

Here's How You’ll Make An Impact

Reporting to the Procurement Supervisor, your main responsibilities will be to ensure an un-interrupted flow of goods and services through cooperation with Production Teams, Material Planners, Quality Assurance personnel and various other corporate teams. Above all else you'll be an agent for change as we launch multiple new initiatives to streamline how we do business and increase the quality of product we deliver to our clients.

At Herff Jones We May Have Been Around For 100 Years, But We Still Have The Mentality Of a Scrappy Startup. For You, That Means Your Job May Grow And Change Over Time. But Don’t Worry, We Would Never Ask An Employee To Take On An Assignment They Didn’t Already Have The Right Skill Sets They Needed To Succeed. As We See It For Right Now, However, Here Are The Challenges That We Want You To Tackle

• Ensure timely ordering and delivery of needed goods and services.
• Drive cost reduction initiatives to achieve best possible quality at the lowest possible cost.
• Accurately track and report key functional metrics.
• Determine optimal stock/inventory levels and requirements.
• Be a team player with the ability to lead small groups towards a desired outcome.
• Analyzing data to determine the need for, and timely placement of purchase orders for production materials and services at agreed to cost.
• Review open purchase orders and follow up with suppliers to ensure on time delivery, pricing accuracy and communicate expedite needs as they arise.
• Work with management staff, end users, and vendors to discuss defective or unacceptable goods or services and determine corrective action.
• Obtain and distribute MSDS information where needed and acts as a partner with the Health and Safety team.
• Initiate cost savings conversations with the supply base.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.
  
  

What You’ll Bring To The Table

• Experience in a fast-paced environment with a mindset of continuous improvement.
• 1 to 3 years office experience, preferably in a Procurement or Planning function.
• Comfortable with Microsoft Office programs and similar systems such as Oracle, SAP or the like.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Customer Service mindset with the ability to change directions mid-stream if needed.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain or similar field preferred.
• Associates degree 2 years in a comparable role is considered in leu of a bachelor’s degree.
• 4 years in a Purchasing or Planning role is considered in leu of educational requirements.
• Occasionally required to move/lift 40lbs or less.
• Must be able to sit at a desk for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to stand or walk for extended periods of time.
  
  

JOIN THE BEST TEAM ON THE FIELD IN SPORT, SPIRIT & ACHIEVEMENT

About Herff Jones

Indianapolis-based Herff Jones is the leading provider of graduation and educational products and services designed to inspire achievement and create memorable experiences for students. Herff Jones’ products include class rings and jewelry, caps and gowns, diplomas, and announcements as well as motivation and recognition programs. Focused on building long-term relationships through a nationwide network of over 1,400 employees and sales partners, the professionals at Herff Jones have been helping elevate the student experience throughout the lifelong journey of education for more than 100 years. For more information about Herff Jones, please visit www.herffjones.com.

Herff Jones, Inc. and its affiliates are equal opportunity employers and maintain affirmative action plans to recruit, retain, develop, and promote qualified individuals without unlawful consideration of race, gender, gender identity, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, citizenship status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Herff Jones strives to maintain a work environment free from unlawful discrimination and harassment, where associates are treated with respect and dignity.

Any employment agency, person or entity that submits a résumé into this career site or to a hiring manager does so with the understanding that the applicant's résumé will become the property of Herff Jones. Herff Jones will have the right to hire that applicant at its discretion without any fee owed to the submitting employment agency, person, or entity.