About the position
The Regional Buyer will be an essential business partner and have total accountability of the inventory performance of that region in support of continued growth in every vertical market that Summit serves. The Buyer's role will involve strategic planning, research and will obtain and set costs for commodities on a weekly basis by market via streamlined communication with leadership at each branch and region in their respective markets. They will work with the sales teams on large opportunities to negotiate scheduled releases of material in support of providing just in time inventory that meet Summit's customer’s expectations.
Responsibilities
- Thoroughly understand how supply chain delays of product will impact Summit’s customer relationship
- Cultivate relationships with both our sales team and our vendor base
- Comprehensive understanding of how Summit's strategic manufacturers rebates affect profitability
- Learn and help develop the demand planning module within Summit’s inventory replenishment software (GAINS) and complete GAINS related training
- Maintain and adjust various GAINS inputs (Lead Time, Min ROPs via SIMS, etc.) as appropriate to achieve accurate forecasts in support of streamlined inventory replenishment
- Provide timely and accurate commodity load spreadsheets to the posting services team
- Collaborate with service center leadership to help determine what the cost on commodities should be weekly and assist as needed in negotiating competitive commodity pricing by market
- Collaborate with service center employees to proactively follow up on customer material orders to address challenges and needs
- Resolve customer concerns and encourage customer loyalty to Summit as efficiently and effectively as possible
- Make inventory decisions that will benefit the company
- Work closely with the Operations teams to process any RGAs negotiated and address slow moving inventory
- Work closely with service center on appropriately redirecting inventory via store-to-store transfer to reduce stock outs and maximize inventory performance
- Provide feedback to Service Center Leaders and RVP, acting as a business partner, to clearly understand their needs while acting in the best interest of the company
Requirements
- Strong, proven sales and negotiating skills
- Thorough knowledge of electrical products and their applications
- Strong customer service orientation
- Time management – ability to organize and manage multiple priorities
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, oral and written
- Versatility – ability to effectively adapt to change
- Microsoft Excel - Intermediate to expert level
- Microsoft Outlook
Nice-to-haves
- Counter sales or customer service experience within the electrical distribution industry
- Capacity to perform duties with minimal supervision and seek clarity where needed
- Prior SAP experience or knowledge preferred to assist in pulling essential inventory information and performing research
- Knowledge of MRP types and item categories in SAP
