Buyer / Purchasing Agent (3+ yrs of exp. in distribution industry req.)

#twiceasnice Recruiting•Kansas City, MO

8h•$60,000 - $80,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Our client in the distribution industry is looking for a Buyer / Purchasing Agent to join their team near Kansas City, MO. In this role, you will independently manage supplier relationships, analyze inventory needs, and negotiate purchases across multiple product categories. You’ll be accountable for cost-saving initiatives, vendor performance, and inventory profitability across multiple locations. The right candidate will have purchasing experience in a fast-paced, high-volume distribution or wholesale industry and strong Excel skills. This is a great opportunity for a strong buyer who is ready to take the next step into vendor negotiations and strategic inventory management, where your ideas are valued, and your efforts will have an immediate impact on the success and growth of the company.

Requirements

3+ years of purchasing for multiple locations in distribution or wholesale industry experience required
Experience purchasing items in bulk, for in-stock items required
Experience regularly reviewing 300+ parts per week required
Proficient with Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, formulas) required

Responsibilities

Replenish inventory using demand planning and Excel-based analysis
Review requisitions and set optimal purchase levels
Determine procurement method and prepare purchase orders or bid requests
Negotiate pricing, terms, and shipment methods with suppliers
Evaluate and select new vendors to support business goals
Maintain profitable inventory levels across multiple locations
Monitor supplier performance, including fill rates and turn ratios
Manage and reduce obsolete inventory
Resolve issues with defective or delayed products
Administer rebate programs and cost-down initiatives
Evaluate turns and fill rates of assigned vendors, consistently improving rations
Create and issue purchase orders