Buyer, Business

Buyer / Category Manager

Imperial Trading Co., LLC is looking for a highly motivated and skilled Buyer/Category Manager to join the Elmwood, LA purchasing team. The role is responsible for sourcing high‑quality products, negotiating favorable terms, analyzing market trends, and collaborating with sales, inventory, and operations to forecast needs and streamline the purchasing process.

Location:

Elmwood, LA (also New Orleans, LA). Salary: $80,000 – $120,000 per year.

• Wellness Program
• Employer‑paid basic life policy with competitive buy‑up options
• Disability insurance
• 401(k) with employer match

• College degree or work experience equivalent
• Knowledge and understanding of purchasing processes
• Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Excel)
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; able to negotiate, establish, and process contracts
• Able to multitask, prioritize, and manage time efficiently
• Accurate and precise, attention to detail
• Able to make decisions in a fast‑paced environment
• Work independently and in a team environment
• Dependable
• Self‑motivated
• Background in food service and convenience store inventory procurement preferred
• Travel up to 10% required for regional trade shows

Maintain optimum in‑stock service levels to retailers and achieve inventory investment goals and profits. Proactively provide the most comprehensive offering of products and services to enhance sales and profits.

Additional duties which are necessary to carry out the function of the Category Manager may be assigned and are incorporated by reference into this job description.

• Exercise discretion and independent judgment relative to matters of significance related to management and general operations.
• Execute daily duties of replenishment buying, including administering vendor due orders, level and regular SKU order points, history exceptions, and accurate promotional demand accuracy and plans.
• Compare service forecast to actual, inventory forecast to actual, and service level accuracy; implement necessary modifications and measurable timeline strategies to maximize inventory investment and service level performance.
• Adjust demand forecasts, analyze lead times, implement and modify accurate seasonal profiles, and set SKU buyer status.
• Analyze vendor lines and categories, eliminate dead stock, slow‑selling items, and SKU duplication; identify, notify, and implement SKU substitutions as needed.
• Liaise with operations on all SKU‑related issues, including UPCs, dead stock, vendor pickups, damages, and new item slot requests.
• Set up new products and promotions within appropriate categories, classes, components, and sales forecast in a timely and accurate manner.
• Process vendor bill‑backs for all relevant sales & marketing programs, including allowances and sales spiffs, internal and external sample requests, and damages not invoiced from Innovative Return Concepts.
• Maintain accurate vendor price lists, terms, and conditions of sale; update allowances and price changes; manage invoice variances, discrepancies, or vendor payback requests.
• Notify relevant departments—operations, accounting—of deal and forward buy purchase orders, expenditures, cases, and expected delivery; work with operations to ensure timely receipt of purchase orders.
• During scheduled time off (employee handbook compliant) ensure work tasks are completed in advance or assigned to other personnel.
• Follow up on all internal sales personnel requests for new items, research, and status.
• Attend work, meetings, and scheduled business affairs on time, as directed by the Senior Category Manager; complete listed tasks competently.

The physical demands of this job include light physical activity performing administrative and technical tasks. The employee must regularly talk or hear, reach with hands or arms, stand, walk, and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. Occasionally, the employee must sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl and taste or smell. The employee may occasionally lift 10 to 25 pounds.

Vision requirements include close…