Purchasing Manager

Job Description

Job Description

PURCHASING MANAGER

Family-Owned Retail Business | Altoona, PA
Full-Time | Monday–Friday | Flexible Hours

About Us:

We are a family-owned and operated business that has been serving our customers for over 50 years. Our company operates six retail locations across Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Ohio, with our central office and centralized warehouse located in Altoona, Pennsylvania.

Our stores are located in:

• Altoona, PA
• Williamsport, PA
• Carlisle, PA
• Chambersburg, PA
• LaVale, MD
• Youngstown, OH

We are looking for an experienced, organized, and motivated Purchasing Manager to join our team and oversee purchasing for all six locations and our centralized warehouse.

Position Summary:

The Purchasing Manager will be responsible for managing the purchasing and replenishment of merchandise across our six retail stores and centralized warehouse. This position requires someone who understands retail purchasing, inventory management, pricing, vendor relationships, and product demand.

The ideal candidate will have knowledge of or experience purchasing products in several of our primary categories, including:

• Hardware
• Fasteners
• Automotive and auto body supplies
• Plumbing supplies
• Electrical supplies
• Tools and related merchandise
• General maintenance and home-improvement products

This is an important position within our company and requires someone who is organized, dependable, detail-oriented, cost-conscious, and comfortable working independently while communicating with store managers and vendors.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage purchasing for all six retail locations and the Altoona centralized warehouse.
• Monitor inventory levels and determine when products need to be reordered.
• Review sales and inventory information to identify purchasing needs and opportunities.
• Place purchase orders with vendors and follow up on outstanding orders.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with vendors and manufacturers.
• Negotiate pricing, terms, freight, promotions, and other purchasing opportunities when possible.
• Compare vendors and pricing to ensure the company receives competitive costs.
• Look for opportunities to increase margins and reduce purchasing costs.
• Coordinate purchasing with warehouse inventory and store requirements.
• Help ensure stores have the appropriate inventory available to meet customer demand.
• Monitor slow-moving and excess inventory and make recommendations for promotions, transfers, or other solutions.
• Work with store managers regarding special orders, inventory needs, and product requests.
• Research new products and vendors that may benefit the company.
• Review vendor catalogs, pricing lists, promotions, and new-product offerings.
• Maintain accurate purchasing records and documentation.
• Track backorders, shortages, damaged merchandise, and vendor issues.
• Coordinate with the warehouse regarding incoming merchandise and distribution to stores.
• Assist with maintaining appropriate inventory levels while avoiding unnecessary overstock.
• Stay informed about product trends, pricing changes, and industry developments.
• Perform other purchasing, inventory, and operational duties as needed.

Qualifications:

• Previous purchasing, buying, inventory management, or retail experience preferred.
• Knowledge of hardware, fasteners, auto body, plumbing, electrical, or related products strongly preferred.
• Strong negotiation and communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to analyze sales and inventory information.
• Comfortable working with computers, spreadsheets, inventory systems, and email.
• Ability to work independently and make sound purchasing decisions.
• Ability to communicate effectively with store managers, employees, vendors, and company management.
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Must be dependable and able to manage multiple priorities.

What We Offer:

• Monday–Friday schedule
• Flexible hours to accommodate your schedule
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Opportunity to become an important part of a stable, family-owned company with over 50 years of history
• A position with responsibility and the opportunity to make a direct impact on company purchasing and profitability

Location:

Central Office & Warehouse
Altoona, Pennsylvania

The Purchasing Manager will support purchasing needs for all six company locations in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Ohio.

How to Apply:

We are looking for someone who wants to become a long-term member of our team and grow with a successful family-owned business. If you have purchasing experience and knowledge of hardware, automotive, plumbing, electrical, or related products, we would like to hear from you.