Buyer

The Buyer is responsible for managing day-to-day purchasing activities in support of Cheryl’s Cookies operations. This includes placing purchase orders (POs) with suppliers, ensuring orders are confirmed, and verifying that materials arrive by their scheduled delivery dates.

This position works closely with Operations, Merchandising, and other internal teams to support purchasing activities across various direct and indirect spend categories within a multi-channel retail business model for a gourmet gifts company.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in purchasing and supply chain management, with the ability to develop and execute sourcing strategies, lead cross-functional decision-making, and establish relationships with quality suppliers.

The Buyer plays a key role in securing materials and components that meet company expectations for pricing, delivery, and quality. Responsibilities include vendor selection, sourcing new materials, negotiating costs, managing supplier relationships, and ensuring the timely delivery of goods.

This individual will also provide market trends and insights for designated categories to internal teams and take ownership of material flow, potential long-term supply agreements, and supplier negotiations. Additional responsibilities include supporting profitability, managing inventory levels, ensuring on-time shipments, and maintaining accurate and cost-controlled Bills of Materials (BOMs).

Duties and Responsibilities

Purchasing and Inventory Management

• Manage the flow of inventory according to projections and established production schedules.
• Manage and control external suppliers, with an emphasis on purchasing direct and/or indirect spend categories to support operations.
• Ensure goods are purchased at competitive prices and delivered on time to meet production requirements.
• Monitor material costs and maintain stringent controls to ensure company targets are met, including spending, usage, and inventory levels.
• Analyze internal purchasing reports and collaborate with internal teams to identify reorders, cancellations, and leftover or overstock inventory in a timely manner.
• Analyze leftover and overstock inventory during weekly pegging meetings.
• Maintain responsibility for material flow, inventory levels, on-time shipments, and cost-controlled Bills of Materials (BOMs).
• Manage departmental expenses within areas of responsibility to ensure alignment with established budgets.

Supplier Management and Strategic Sourcing

• Establish, develop, and maintain strong, effective relationships with key suppliers aligned with the company's business needs.
• Identify and evaluate new suppliers, working with internal teams to ensure suppliers meet Cheryl’s Cookies' requirements and receive appropriate approvals.
• Negotiate supplier pricing, payment terms, and supply agreements, including potential long-term contracts.
• Create and respond to Requests for Information (RFIs), Requests for Proposals (RFPs), and Requests for Quotations (RFQs), while continually identifying new sourcing opportunities and vendors.
• Develop and execute purchasing and sourcing strategies for various direct and/or indirect spend categories.
• Continuously improve purchasing methods and identify opportunities to reduce external spending.
• Optimize material costs through vendor analysis, benchmarking, periodic RFPs, and evaluations of quality, scheduling, cost, and supplier performance metrics.
• Apply cost-effective purchasing measures to support standard costing and make-or-buy decisions.
• Assess supplier capabilities to ensure they meet manufacturing, quality, and delivery requirements.

Cross-Functional Collaboration and Product Development

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with Merchandising, Food and Gift Production, Warehouse, Finance, and other internal departments.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support purchasing decisions, sourcing strategies, and operational requirements.
• Provide Merchandising teams with current market trends, product samples, and sourcing insights to support a wide variety of gift development options.
• Review relevant information from media sources, retail channels, and online resources, and distribute or order samples as appropriate.
• Organize, maintain, and update vendor catalogs in the development area to ensure easy access for Merchandising teams.
• Assist in the gift and food development process by identifying suitable materials, components, and suppliers.
• Support company profitability through effective supplier negotiations, inventory management, cost control, and purchasing decisions.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• A background in Business Administration, Management, Operations, Materials Management, or Supply Chain Management is preferred, or equivalent experience performing responsibilities similar to those outlined in this position.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in a procurement or supply chain position.
• A minimum of five (5) years of experience in procurement, planning, strategic sourcing, or supply chain management is required.
• Previous experience with food ingredients or within the food industry is ideal but not required.
• Proficiency with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and demonstrated knowledge of manufacturing requirements, including the ability to assess supplier capabilities.
• Experience with Oracle and/or SAP is preferred but not required.

Skills and Competencies

• Proficient computer skills, including strong working knowledge of Microsoft Excel.
• Strong verbal and written communication, negotiation, and analytical skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments and organizational levels.
• Ability to prioritize, organize, and manage multiple responsibilities in a flexible, fast-paced, and challenging environment while meeting deadlines.
• Strong team-oriented mindset, positive attitude, and ability to influence and work effectively with others.
• Highly motivated, self-directed, and capable of working independently while maintaining strong cross-functional relationships.
• Comfortable working in a highly visible position with regular interaction with senior management.

Travel Requirements

Travel may be required as needed.

Schedule Requirements

• Standard Schedule: Monday through Friday, generally 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
• Hybrid Work Schedule: Four (4) days in the office and one (1) day remote per week.

Peak Season Requirements: Additional hours may be required during peak business seasons.