Purchasing Assistant

Salary Range: USD $22.00/Hr. - USD $26.00/Hr. The Job in a Nutshell: The Purchasing Assistant-General supports the department by providing coverage for all categories and various purchasing management to cover overflow, vacations, and special projects. The Purchasing Assistant is responsible for supporting the purchasing process and successful execution to store level of their assigned portion of the purchasing process. Applications are accepted by the date below, which may be updated if the hiring timeline is extended. 08/23/2024 Responsibilities Main Ingredients: New Product, Product Quality and Vendor Coordination: Participate in new item reviews and provide feedback. Assist in the set-up of new vendors and new items to include local new products. Keep abreast of quality standards and what we won’t carry and why ingredients. Keep abreast of changes to FDA GMPs standards and regulations. Maintain and update vendor Liability Insurance. Maintain and update local products list by state. Ordering and Inventory: Ordering as needed for Distribution Center stock, promotional and new item orders, new store orders, void fills, and resets. Coordinate with New Store Operations team for delivery of initial new store orders. Create vendor order and delivery schedule for each new store as appropriate. Assist with product recalls, returns, and credits. Assist with inventory reviews for slow sellers, discontinuations, and set refreshes. Update Data Integrity Group for additions and deletions of items on replenishment. Run reports and provide analysis. Promotional Coordination: Create, maintain and update promotional spreadsheets for entry of sale price and vendor promotional costs for monthly Hotline, Grand Opening, and In Store promotions. Compile planners for entire department in appropriate format to go on to marketing. Ensure appropriate vendor contracts on file for promotions, ad and scan back billings, and quality control. Participate in promotional planning sessions and keep follow up documents accurate. Identify and facilitate corrections of any vendor promotional discount discrepancies and product line items missing from the promotion and communicate corrections to the Category Managers. Process and verify promotional scan back discounts and scan back reports for all promotions including bi-yearly and yearly EDAPs. Obtain and maintain product image files to be featured for Health Hotline ads, {N}power Offers, and other public-facing marketing materials. Create promotional sign spreadsheet and proof signs for promotions. Proof promotional collateral for accuracy. Create contest eligible-product lists. Run reports and provide summary analysis. Communicate new marketing initiatives and events to purchasing. Communicate and follow up on marketing and promotion-related tasks to ensure completion. Develop an understanding of pricing and promotion systems capabilities and be able to communicate possibilities and limitations effectively. Facilitate and manage marketing requests and questions. Maintain professional and partnering relationships and exceptional communications with all internal and external partners. Pricing and Data Coordination: Update and maintain new store discounts. Initial processing of price change files for Category Managers final retail pricing approval. Work with the Accounting Department on vendor invoicing issues. Assist with solving price and/or freight discrepancies. Any other assigned data scrubbing and corrections to ensure master data accuracy including but not limited to, costs, retails, attributes, sizes, descriptions, pack sizes, vendor information, customer numbers, and more. Maintain local vendor lists, contact information, minimums, and schedules for new and existing stores. Keep local attributes up to date. Run reports and provide analysis. Communication and Customer Service: Work with individual stores on any pertinent questions that may arise. Assist Customer Service crew with customer questions as needed. Resolve Help Desk tickets quickly and accurately. Work with vendors and brokers to answer questions and maintain appropriate paperwork. Execute and communicate recalls with complete and concise information for stores to act on. Work with all SSC crew members as needed to accomplish cross-functional goals. Although this is a general outline of job responsibilities, all employees are expected to be “hands on” and do whatever it takes to get the job done and make the company thrive. Qualifications Recipe for Success: Minimum High School Diploma. Minimum 2 years of experience in the natural foods industry with a working knowledge of basic ordering, pricing, and promotional planning knowledge and experience. Must have Intermediate or better Microsoft Excel experience. Experience managing projects from inception to completion. Must be detail-oriented with excellent organization skills. Strong relationship building and influencing skills. Excellent communication skills are required. Ability to work as part of a team and independently. This job description is not an employment contract. It does not guarantee a job or that the above listed duties are the limit of responsibilities. The job and job description are subject to change with and without notice. Employees are required to accomplish any and all tasks assigned to him/her by their Manager and/or other Store Support Center manager that might not be listed in this job description. Benefits Overview All Crew Members: Birthday Bonus Pay. Vitamin Bucks (up to $2,080 earned as store credit annually). Holiday Pay for 5 Holidays – Stores Closed. Paid Time Off (sick days and vacation) that Increases with Tenure. Paid Nutrition Education. good4u Crew Member Discount. {N}power Program (customer appreciation and rewards program). Regular, Scheduled Pay Increases. Advancement Opportunities and Career Development. Health and Wellness Program. Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Employee Referral Program. Full-Time Crew Members (30+ hours/week): Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance. Paid Parental Leave. Paid Medical Leave (through company paid short-term disability insurance). Company Paid Short-Term Disability Insurance. Company Paid Life Insurance. Voluntary Benefits Including Hospital Indemnity, Accident Insurance, Long-Term Disability Insurance, Term Life Insurance. Retirement Savings Plan (401k) with discretionary Company Match. Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA). Health Savings Account (HSA) with Company Match. Diversity Statement At the heart of Natural Grocers' commitment to our community and crew is this belief: All people should be empowered to experience health and wellbeing We cannot be true to this conviction without honoring diversity and cultivating inclusion throughout every aspect of our organization. At Natural Grocers, we honor our differences, embrace diversity, and cultivate inclusion because both individual and societal health are rooted in these principles. Our Crew is diverse not only in gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, abilities, and age but also in cultural backgrounds, thoughts, and ideas. Celebrating our diversity refreshes, expands, and shapes our perspective, energizing our mission of equitable access to health and wellness for all. We welcome everyone who would like to join us in this mission, with gratitude for the unique life experience each person brings to the table. We’re committed to nurturing an ecosystem of diversity and inclusion in which our Crew can continue to thrive. Physical Capabilities and Environmental Demands: N = Never O = Occasional; 1-33% of time F = Frequent; 34-66% of time C = Constant; 67-100% of time Physical Requirements: Must have the ability to constantly lift or carry up to 10 lbs., frequently lift or carry 11-20 lbs., and occasionally lift or carry 21-50 lbs. Must also have the ability to occasionally lift or carry 51-100 lbs. with a team lift. Must have the ability to frequently push or pull up to 15 lbs. and occasionally push or pull 16-100 lbs. Must be able to occasionally use the computer for data entry and use of mouse. Must be able to constantly walk, stand, use fine motor manipulations, grip, bend, twist, turn, and reach outward for the duration of the work shift. Must be able to frequently reach above chest. Must be able to occasionally sit, squat, kneel, and climb as needed. Environmental Requirements: Must be able to frequently work with sharp tools and equipment, dust, fumes, and congested worksite. Must be able to occasionally work with noise, cold, heat, wet, humid, outside, heights, and contact stress. #J-18808-Ljbffr