Purchasing Manager

Req ID: 407010 

BASIC PURPOSE:  The Purchasing Manager of Inventory will help document, execute, and improve all inventory related purchasing functions.  Work with Supply Chain to ensure store demand is covered, while maximizing fill rate and turns.  Duties include PO management, inventory analysis, and EOL execution.  

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Establish inventory metrics, to help make current inventory levels more efficient, and to ultimately increase turns
• Ensure timely PO writing, with proper logic, to ensure in stock rates
• Fill Rate management
• Warehouse interaction as it relates to inventory specifically
• Negotiate special programs on large buys, and/or negotiate end of month/quarter deals, for added incentives
• Vendor forecasting and planning (through Supply Chain)
• DOH analysis, identify bad inventory, set action plan, navigate multiple teams to execute
• Cradle to Grave inventory mentality
• Considerable interaction with internal teams, and external vendors
• Occasional domestic travel would be required
• Other duties assigned as needed

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Education:
  • HS Diploma or equivalent required
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management or related field preferred.
• Experience:
  • 3 to 5 years of experience in inventory management, within retail or distribution setting, is required
  • Experience as a retail buyer, in category management, in merchandising, etc. is a plus.

      SKILLS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Skills:
  • Hard Skills: Knowledge of Microsoft Office; Other software including SAP applications or product lifecycle management a plus
  • Soft Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills, keen attention to detail, ability to multitask, strong organizational skills, flexible, good relationship skills. Ability to work with various levels of management, and self-motivated to take on additional tasks.
• Typical Physical Demands:
  • Requires prolonged sitting, some bending and stooping.
  • Occasional lifting up to 25 pounds.
  • Manual dexterity sufficient to operate a computer keyboard and calculator.
  • Requires normal range of hearing and vision.
  • Must be available to travel when needed (traveling by car and plane about 10% of the time).

Job Function(s): Corporate 

Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores is the industry-leading travel stop network in the United States. For more than 55 years, we’ve provided customers with highway hospitality and “Clean Places, Friendly Faces.” We’re passionate about serving drivers with clean, modern facilities stocked with fuel, food and supplies. We offer meals from popular restaurant chains, trucking supplies, showers and everything needed to get back on the road quickly. The Love’s Family of Companies includes:

• Gemini Motor Transport, one of the industry’s safest trucking fleets
• Speedco, the light mechanical and trucking service specialists
• Musket, a rapidly growing, Houston-based commodities supplier and trader
• Trillium, a Houston-based alternative fuels expert