Hardgoods Buyer

Kehoe Designs Inc•Chicago, IL

About The Position

THE HARDGOODS BUYER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SOURCING AND PURCHASING HARD GOODS AND ENSURING THAT THE ORGANIZATION OBTAINS HIGH-QUALITY PRODUCTS AT THE BEST POSSIBLE PRICES. THE HARDGOODS BUYER COLLABORATES WITH THE SALES AND PRODUCTION DEPARTMENTS TO ENSURE ALL EVENTS HAVE THE PRODUCTS NEEDED. THE BUYER REPORTS TO AND RECEIVES DIRECTION FROM THE CONTROLLER AND FUNCTIONS INDEPENDENTLY, RELYING ON EXPERIENCE AND JUDGMENT TO PLAN AND ACCOMPLISH ASSIGNED TASKS AND GOALS.

Requirements

3 plus years’ experience in hard goods purchasing (particularly in a creative or event décor industry).
Excellent computer skills and Microsoft Office proficiency, particularly Excel.
Excellent math skills: ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations.
Excellent decision making, negotiation and problem-solving skills.
Ability to deal effectively with a diversity of individuals at all organizational levels.
Excellent interpersonal, tact and diplomacy and conflict management skills.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Excellent ability to deal with pressure, competing demands and deadlines.
Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail and good follow-up skills.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of event management software a plus.
Project management experience desired.
Knowledge of event/floral design helpful.

Responsibilities

Fulfilling requisitions for materials needed to produce events
Researching and identifying potential suppliers who can provide the required goods, materials, or services.
Evaluating existing suppliers based on factors such as quality, reliability, cost, and delivery capabilities.
Managing inventory levels to ensure adequate stock availability while minimizing excess or obsolete inventory.
Effective communication is essential for collaborating with the Sales and Production departments in a timely fashion.
Works to solve any problems with product or availability with a positive attitude, tact and diplomacy, to achieve the best possible outcome.
Provides excellent internal and external customer service.
Follows up on arriving products with Processing and Receiving departments.
Approves accounts payable items using purchase orders and matching receipts, and/or by the use of discrepancy reports or credit requests that accompany each payable invoice.
Calculates freight utilization for incoming trucks and optimizes costs. Requests from Logistics the dates and amount of freight by pick up and enforces pick up cut off times and other pickup requirements according to negotiated contracts.
Communicates product status with Buyers, Production, and Sales in an organized and timely fashion.
Develop processes to inform production departments and Sales on changing product availability.
Recommends process changes to improve productivity, efficiency, safety, and quality.
Research new purchasing supply chains and vendors; establish and maintain relationships with new and existing vendors.
Attends tradeshows to research and purchase new products.