Buyer, Supply Chain​/Logistics

** We welcome candidates who live within 50 miles of any Handy Distribution branch. Please review our website for a list of locations. This position is not home-based but offers the flexibility to work from a branch location rather than the Lynchburg Corporate Office.**

Coordinates activities involved with procuring and replenishing inventory goods based on assigned product/vendor groups for the organization in order to achieve inventory and customer service objectives by performing the following duties.

• Responsible for monitoring and evaluating inventory levels and initiating purchase orders for assigned product/vendor groups to maximize profitability by balancing carrying cost, ordering cost and transportation cost.
• Maintains computer-based procurement records including costs, buying multiples, carton quantities, vendor minimums, load factors (includes weights and measures), service level objectives, forecasts, and lead times.
• Maintains procurement records such as items purchased, costs, delivery performance, product quality or performance, and inventories, utilizing spreadsheets, graphics, word processing, and/or presentation computer software.
• As a member of the Buyer/Product Manager team, meets with vendor representatives to gain an understanding of product changes, lead time, service and quality issues.
• Participates in Supplier Performance reviews.
• Works closely with Product Managers, Operations personnel, vendors and others to determine root cause and initiate corrective action for defective or unacceptable goods.
• Monitors and reports damaged/dead/overstocked inventory in order to expedite the handling of this material via the sales department, vendor returns, transfers and /or scrapping.
• Interfaces with Accounts Payable to approve disputed invoices for payment. This may involve contacting the vendor to correct invoice pricing vs. quoted pricing.
• Travels as necessary for meetings with vendors, branch sales staff and training.

None required.

Bachelor’s degree from four-year college or university; or 1-2 years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

After a training period of six months a buyer should be able to satisfactorily complete Level I of the purchasing software advanced Buyer certification testing. With the next 12 months Level II and III certification testing should be successfully completed.

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to monitor inventory levels, forecast demand, and initiate purchase orders to optimize profitability and service levels.
• Proficient in maintaining procurement records and vendor data using spreadsheets, ERP systems, and related software tools.
• Skilled in balancing inventory carrying costs, ordering costs, and transportation costs to support operational and financial objectives.
• Experience in evaluating supplier performance, identifying service and quality issues, and working collaboratively to implement corrective actions.
• Capable of resolving invoice discrepancies and coordinating with vendors and accounts payable to ensure accurate procurement and payment processes.
• Ability to monitor and manage excess, damaged, and obsolete inventory through interdepartmental coordination and vendor returns.
• Effective in communicating with vendors, internal departments, and sales teams to align inventory management with product and service goals.
• Comfortable participating in supplier meetings, training sessions, and branch visits to support ongoing product and vendor knowledge.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Excel,…