ELE - Purchasing Manager

Job Description

Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY 

The Cannabis Purchasing Manager plays a vital role in optimizing procurement and inventory strategy for licensed cannabis retail stores. This individual must leverage deep cannabis industry knowledge—including product types and processing methods—along with data-driven decision-making and vendor management. The role combines inventory planning and purchasing strategy with hands-on purchasing, regulatory compliance, team supervision, and e-commerce oversight.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

1. Purchasing Strategy & Inventory Management

• Develop and execute purchasing strategies tailored to store-specific and regional demand.
• Monitor real-time data using tools like Headset, Posabit, Topshelfdata, and GreenBits to inform purchasing decisions.
• Forecast inventory needs and maintain optimal stock levels to balance availability with risk of overstock or expiration.
• Coordinate with Marketing to ensure product availability and pricing support for promotions and sales cycles.
• Place and process orders, maintain accuracy in traceability systems, and ensure full compliance with Washington LCB requirements.
• Handle issues such as defective products, substitutions, or late deliveries efficiently.
• Maintain adequate levels of product across categories: flower, edibles, concentrates, tinctures, topicals, beverages, paraphernalia, etc.

2. Vendor Relations & Procurement

• Identify and evaluate new vendors based on product quality, reliability, pricing, and brand alignment.
• Negotiate pricing and contracts and manage vendor relationships, including resolving discrepancies and facilitating returns.
• Collaborate with Marketing to coordinate vendor days, educational events, and product demos.
• Collect and manage product media for marketing and sales enablement.

3. Compliance & Record-Keeping

• Ensure strict adherence to Washington State traceability rules and internal SOPs.
• Maintain documentation for all purchasing activity, including invoices, manifests, and transfers.
• Oversee product intake and outgoing transfers to ensure compliance.
• Submit accurate documentation to payroll and accounting as needed.

4. Team Management & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Supervise, train, and support one Assistant Purchaser at each location.
• Coordinate closely with store managers on purchasing schedules and inventory forecasts.
• Partner with marketing, IT, and finance departments to align operational strategies.

5. E-Commerce & Loyalty Platforms

• Ensure timely and accurate updates to online menus (Leafly, Dutchie, Jane, Posabit).
• Ensure seamless integration between POS and e-commerce platforms.
• Support loyalty program execution by flagging product pairings or discountable items; strategy led by Marketing.

6. Data & Reporting

• Leverage sales data and metrics to optimize inventory and product assortment.
• Collaborate with Marketing to analyze promotion performance and vendor effectiveness.
• Conduct post-promotion ROI analysis to improve purchasing strategies.

7. Other Duties As Assigned

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• No Direct Supervisor Responsibility

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability for this position.

Strategic Thinking & Forecasting

Attention to Detail & Accuracy

Vendor Relationship Management

Compliance-Driven Mindset

Leadership & Team Development

Customer-Centric Focus

Data-Driven & Tech-Savvy

POSITION REQUIREMENTS 

Required:

• Minimum 3 years’ experience in cannabis procurement, retail buying, and inventory management.
• At least 5 years of direct cannabis industry knowledge, including strains, product categories, and state regulations.
• Deep understanding of cannabis categories: flower, concentrates, edibles, etc.
• Strong experience with Washington State cannabis compliance and POS systems (GreenBits, Posabit).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools (Excel, Word), inventory databases, and cannabis software platforms.
• Valid driver’s license and willingness to travel between retail sites.
• Experience supervising or mentoring team members.
• Background in retail supply chain or inventory logistics.
• Customer service experience in dispensary or retail settings.
• Proven ability to stay informed on trends via industry events and market analysis.

Desired:

• Four years ordering experience in a retail setting.
• Familiarity with aggressive inventory management systems (A.I.M).
• Demonstrated vendor negotiation and relationship-building skills.
• High school diploma or GED required. Degree not required if equivalent experience applies.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

High School graduate or General Education Degree (GED). To ensure quality, relevant product procurement, 5 years of firsthand, industry knowledge of all growing, curing, and processing techniques is required. A working knowledge of the cannabis industry and its laws and regulations is required. Retail and Customer service experience preferred.

Experience: 

A combination of education and experience may be considered as a substitute for a degree requirement.

Certificates & Licenses: Current, valid driver’s license.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Frequent standing, walking, reaching, and handling of cannabis products.

Regularly required to lift/move up to 20 lbs.

Frequent hand/wrist use; frequent visual tasks (e.g. screens, inventory).

May kneel, crouch, climb, or crawl in storage environments.

Specific vision abilities include close, distance, color, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Exposure to moving mechanical parts, cleaning chemicals, and various retail environments.

Frequent handling of cannabis products in compliance with legal standards.

Reasonable accommodations will be made as needed.

Consistent exposure to Cannabis and Cannabis-related products

Other Requirements: Background check, drug policy

Reasonable Accommodations Statement 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Disclaimer 

The Company has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee's ability to perform the position described. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and the Company reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as the Company may deem appropriate. Your signature below signifies that you understand the duties, expectations, and contents of this job description. 

Preference for Squaxin Indian Tribal members is in effect for this position. The successful candidate will be required to follow the Squaxin Island Tribe’s drug policies.