Purchasing Buyer

Houdini, Inc•Fullerton, CA

About The Position

Position manages the daily process of sourcing, procuring and expediting, and inventory management of designated packaging items as assigned. Position advises other functional groups on packaging design and function when required. Involved in the wine design team related to the bottling/packaging process. Position assists in developing and coaching others in the department regarding the packaging category.

Requirements

Effective and clear verbal and written communication skills.
Competency in Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.
Must be a self-starter, self-motivated and disciplined.
Ability to work independently and with minimal supervision.
Must demonstrate problem solving skills, multi-tasking capabilities and flexibility.
Must possess great attention to detail, accuracy, and organizational skills.
Ability to take ownership of projects and follow up on tasks to meet and support intra and inter departmental deadlines.
Ability to interact and work well with others across all departments in a fast-paced environment.
5 years’ experience as a packaging buyer and familiarity with packaging design. Strong in corrugated packaging.
Previous experience in an office environment required.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of Macola operating system is a plus.

Responsibilities

Seek out and interview new vendors based on company needs.
Maintain current Vendor relationships.
Seek out new products and their sources.
Serve as the company resource for others in the company for current market trend information, product opportunities, and new packaging concepts and designs, for potential product development opportunities.
Analyze company systems to determine product demand. Monitor, review and compare inventory demand in SSM and Macola for assigned items to verify that they match.
Analyze and generate POs for product, follow up and expedite as necessary.
Create new item #’s and integrate them into all data platforms.
Maintain all component items up to date in ERP system.
Maintain current pricing for assigned items along with item and vendor information in all platforms, including CP, Macola and related spreadsheets. Communicate pricing updates to the Design Team in quick and timely manner.
Coordinate and schedule seasonal “Weekly Label and Hang Tag Meeting”.
Update and maintain art/graphics requests, related due dates and all other pertinent information in the Label Requirements Spreadsheet (LRSS).
Update, maintain, review and verify DNA Component Sheets and Customer Cost Sheets.
Help create new non-inventory items and enter in Central Pricing.
Help secure items requested in Pack Requests and enter in Central Pricing.
Expedite artwork from Design and Graphics.
Advise Production, Design and Management on printing.
Process PAK Requests from the Design Team and the Product Optimization Teams, including ordering and delivering samples, calculating costs, verifying accuracy and maintaining art files (die lines, graphics, etc.). For both domestic and overseas vendors.
Coach/mentor others in the department in packaging-related aspects.
Communicate with Production, Warehouse, Design and Management on potential packaging problems, and advise on status as necessary.
Select packaging items to be culled from system.
Analyze activity for cost and efficiency improvements.
Member of In-House Wine Development Team.
Execution of purchase orders to suppliers, including maintaining and updating of ETD’s & ETA’s and communicating any delays to the planning, production, and warehouse teams.
Work with A/P to resolve any delivery, payment, or terms discrepancies.
Establish and ensure that item numbers and pricing/costing are accurate and complete within company databases.
Item number creation/maintenance and discontinuation (DC) of items across all platforms and files (Macola, Central Pricing, New Macola Numbers Spreadsheet, DNA Component Sheets, Customer Cost Sheets, etc.)
Perform other tasks/projects as assigned by management.