Associate Buyer

Goodwill of the Olympics & Rainier Region • Tacoma, WA

53d • $31 - $33 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Buyer is responsible for creating and implementing inventory control processes and training store staff; analyzing inventory results and identifying risks and opportunities for improvement in store performance resulting in increased sales and bottom line improvement. Works with the warehouse team and communicates all distributions and seasonal activity. Responsible for supporting the Supply Chain Director in all procurement-related tasks for the re-sale of purchased goods, commercial supplies, and equipment. Responsible for identifying key volume driving items and categories and sourcing, purchasing and replenishing goods in these areas. Help with product selection, placing and tracking purchase orders, creating pricing strategies, managing inventory, and keeping track of market trends.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Studies, Marketing, or related field and experience.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience as an Assistant Buyer, or working with a buying team, or Retail Management.
• Working knowledge of POS and inventory management systems; experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365.
• Demonstrated knowledge of inventory and shrink control.
• Inventory and Procurement experience beneficial.
• Exceptional analytical, judgment, decision-making and communications skills.
• Superior coaching, leadership and interpersonal skills, including the ability to build understanding and consensus.
• Ability to read and interpret hard data and metrics.
• Ability to write creatively and articulately with an emphasis on tact and diplomacy.
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of the organization.
• Ability to handle basic math and business calculations involving sales, cost of goods, margins, discounting, and freight percentages.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel (Advanced), Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams) and SharePoint.
• RMS, ReQlogic, Great Plains, Microsoft D365 a plus.
• Ability to learn new technology and software as related to the job.
• Basic bookkeeping and accounting methods relevant to purchasing and inventory transactions.
• Must have a valid Washington Driver’s license and proof of insurance along with good driving record.
• Self-motivated; resourceful, creative; high integrity; problem solver; looks to resolve issues; positive can-do approach; and ability to build effective working relationships.

Nice To Haves

• Inventory and Procurement experience beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Create weekly, monthly, and end of season sales reports and ability to present/share results to internal and external partners.
• Manage basic New Goods program by forecasting need and managing a replenishment program that ensures the correct product assortment is in all stores while driving sales and maximizing profits.
• Execute operational category management for assigned product categories, including assortment planning, inventory flow oversight, vendor coordination, pricing updates, and performance tracking to support sales and margin goals.
• Perform purchasing and procurement activities for internal operational needs, ensuring timely acquisition of supplies, materials, and services.
• Maintain end‑end purchasing activities ensuring accurate G/L coding within the organization’s requisition system to support timely and compliant financial transactions.
• Process non‑standard product requests, ensuring accuracy, feasibility, and alignment with company buying guidelines.
• Partner with leadership to establish standardized methods for tracking, analyzing, and reporting KPI performance.
• Build relationships with suppliers and support supplier diversity initiative.
• Develop and maintain supplier scorecard.
• Conduct annual year‑end physical inventories, resolve identified discrepancies, and review final results with managers to ensure accurate reporting and compliance.
• Coordinate donated physical inventories with retail regionals and reports results to finance.
• Maintain, update, and deliver manuals, documents, and How-To guides for inventory processes Support and train store management on all aspects of inventory process.
• Create and communicate distribution workflow to warehouse team.
• Take active role in annual store budget process.
• Responsible for month-end, and year-end tasks.
• Travel with Supply Chain Director to source and procure goods as needed.
• Assist Supply Chain Director with product selection, placing and tracking purchase orders, creating pricing strategies, managing inventory, and keeping track of market trends.
• Department resource for point of sale system (Microsoft D365) for all things related to item set-up, maintenance, and inventory of new goods.
• Maintain order of operations for order/item creation and communication.
• Provide comprehensive oversight of the Procurement and Inventory Coordinator, including workflow management, training, and day‑to‑day supervision to ensure accurate purchasing, inventory control, and operational continuity.

Benefits

• M/V/D & Life Insurance for you and your dependents
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Vacation (1-4 Years: 80 hours annually)
• 10 paid Holidays annually
• 8 days prorated sick leave annually
• Access to Childcare Benefits
• Parental leave covered by sick/vacation hours
• All employees receive merchandise discounts
• We strongly believe in promoting from within, and have multiple avenues for career growth

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level