Inventory & Procurement Specialist

WHO WE ARE?

At American Meadows (AMC), our purpose is “Doing Good Through Gardening.” Each day we get to make people happy and the earth better by providing gardeners with the products, knowledge and experience they need to succeed. We have a decade+ track record of growth, and we are excited about our future. We are passionate about connecting gardeners with the products, knowledge, and inspiration to dig in and garden with confidence. We seek to be a trusted gardening partner for those new to gardening and those looking to expand their gardening prowess —those who are willing to combine new ideas and products with classic favorites. We work to do this by providing a top-quality assortment of products, a team that’s passionate about what we do and a “customer-first” approach to our ecommerce shopping experience. If this sounds intriguing, read on...

WHO YOU ARE & WHAT YOU’D DO

Join our growing team and be part of the movement of Meadowscaping at American Meadows as our new Inventory & Procurement Specialist, where you'll be at the heart of our industry-leading seed supply chain. In this dynamic role, you'll play a crucial part in managing the intricate balance of inventory for our diverse seed categories.

Your typical day will include analyzing weekly stock levels, coordinating with vendors on inbound shipments, developing inventory parameters and ensuring our raw materials are replenished in line with seasonal forecasts. As you oversee our in-season management, you'll keep a keen eye on order updates, cancellations, in-house adjustments and production capacity, striving to maintain an impressive in-stock rate above 95%. Your attention to detail will shine as you review aged inventory to inform promotions and ensure that our inventory aligns with target weeks of supply, ending inventory goals and maintaining safety stock levels for both finished goods and Raw materials.

Beyond the day-to-day, you will coordinate pre-season planning and purchasing while playing a critical role in sourcing new species and mixes. One cornerstone of your work will be building strong vendor relationships that lead to cost-effective procurement guided by sourcing the highest quality and purity non-GMO seed that the American Meadows brand was built on. While the other corner is working in tandem with operations to ensure the finished goods are stocked and available for our happy gardeners. This position is not just a job, but a launchpad for growth in a company that values innovation, sustainability, and the beauty of nature's diversity. Embrace the challenge and watch your career bloom at American Meadows.

If this role looks to be a good fit for the next steps of your career, show off your skills by thoroughly reviewing the accountability matrix, reply with your resume and complete Step 1 (listed below in the ‘How to Apply’ section) of the application process to our People & Culture team.

ACCOUNTABILITY MATRIX

PROCUREMENT - Time 35%

• Source, negotiate and select vendors which meet AMI standards
• Develop and maintain contract standards and scorecards for Vendors
• Issue Purchase orders for materials and components

SUCCESS FACTORS

• Cost Savings of 3% annually
• Purchase Price Variance
• Vendor Scorecards reviewed quarterly and maintained for 95% of vendors
• Provide Merch with required reports

INVENTORY MANAGEMENT - Time 30%

• Monitor Stock levels
• Replenishment planning
• Manage Inventory Turnover
• Implement controls to enhance inventory accuracy

SUCCESS FACTORS

• Develop & maintain Inventory Turnover ratio
• Weeks of Inventory on Hand- 8-12 weeks (SEED only)
• In Stock rate of +95%
• Develop & maintain Carrying Costs?
• On hand Inventory count accuracy greater than [98%]

PRODUCTION PLANNING - Time 35%

• Demand forecasting
• Capacity Planning
• Scheduling

SUCCESS FACTORS

• Production schedule at 90% Adherence
• Replenishment Parameters accuracy. Maintained by Period and with 85% accuracy.
• Fulfillment center will be able to meet the min/max requirements for stock levels and all Amazon, Custom and Consumer orders have adequate inventory on hand to ship on time

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 1-2 years in an inventory/procurement role in a seasonal industry working with at least 250 SKUs, managing counts and audits, lead time and min/max safety levels.
• Ability to work 3 days in person (2 in Fairfax and 1 in Shelburne)
• 3+ years Excel
• Previous ERP experience a plus.
• We’re gardeners – you should be too… or at least possess a thirst to learn

OUR CULTURE

• We don’t just accept difference – we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on it for the benefit of our employees, our customers, and our community.? We are introverts, extroverts, and everything in between.
• We have (at least) one week dedicated each year to dressing up in costumes.
• Meetings are banned until after lunch each day.
• You’ll keep a pair gardening shoes and slippers in your office locker (when working in-office).
• Dogs, yoga, bagpipe parades and taco trucks all make appearances during our Build Weeks.
• We embrace memes.
• Don’t Stop Believin’ is our national anthem.

THE PERKS

• The usual, but very important, things like health, vision, dental (which the company contributes to), as well as a matching retirement plan and company paid Life Insurance and Disability.
• Additional optional benefits include a Health Savings Account (HSA), an Employee Assistance Program through InvestEAP, and access to discounted college courses and certificate programs through Champlain College’s TruED program.
• Time to rejuvenate your mind and spend time with friends and family is very important.
• We’re life-long learners and want you to be inspired to grow, whether it’s through Master Gardener, an Excel class, or want to be more informed in ways to support our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts.
• We share in our financial success, and you’ll receive an incentive payout when we achieve our financial and project goals.
• The best way for you to connect with our products is by digging in the dirt and gardening with our products. We offer at-cost product discounts and at the end of each season, with any remaining unsold products, we give them out to our employees and the community to fuel more gardening passion

HOW TO APPLY?

If this work sounds invigorating and you are excited to learn more, please complete Step 1:

Share your assessment of inventory procurement plans based on changes in production requirements and adjustments to forecasted units in a seasonal business.

Do not go overboard – This is a simple writing exercise and a chance to get a sense for how you go about your craft.? Also include a resume, but please focus on the first aspect as it’s the key to proving that you’re the right fit.

American Meadows is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status. If you need assistance or accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request. The company is pleased to provide such aid, and no applicant will be penalized because of such a request.