Purchasing / Buyer

About WCP Solutions

WCP Solutions is a third generation, privately owned wholesale distributor of janitorial, paper, packaging, food service, and equipment solutions. Founded in 1930, we help customers obtain the products and services they need to run their businesses effectively. Our teams work closely across purchasing, sales, operations, and supplier partnerships to provide reliable service and practical solutions.

Position Summary

The Purchasing / Merchandiser supports the operational and financial success of the Inland Region by purchasing products, managing inventory, sourcing product solutions, maintaining accurate system data, and building productive supplier relationships. This role balances product availability, service levels, inventory investment, cost, lead time, and risk while providing responsive support to Account Managers, Operations, customers, and other divisions.

Essential Responsibilities

· Create, issue, monitor, and follow up on purchase orders to support customer demand and appropriate inventory levels.

· Analyze sales history, usage patterns, forecasts, lead times, service levels, inventory turns, and supplier performance to support sound purchasing decisions.

· Source standard, alternate, custom, and shortage-related product solutions; obtain and compare supplier pricing, availability, freight, lead times, and terms.

· Negotiate professionally with suppliers and identify opportunities to improve cost, service, payment terms, freight terms, and overall value.

· Maintain accurate item master data, product descriptions, costs, units of measure, supplier information, lead times, freight factors, and purchasing parameters in company systems.

· Monitor open purchase orders, confirmations, backorders, substitutions, delivery dates, and exceptions; communicate changes promptly to affected teams.

· Use purchasing, inventory, electronic data interchange, and reporting systems accurately; identify data or process issues and support corrective action.

· Monitor stock availability and collaborate with other WCP divisions to balance inventory, reduce duplication, and improve use of company inventory investments.

· Investigate and resolve shortages, receiving discrepancies, supplier claims, returns, damaged or defective merchandise, and invoice or pricing discrepancies.

· Partner with Operations to support efficient receiving, stocking, inventory reconciliation, order fulfillment, and vendor-pickup processes.

· Support inventory reviews, cycle-count investigations, obsolete or slow-moving inventory action plans, and customer stocking or consignment programs.

· Contribute to product promotions, supplier initiatives, preferred-product strategies, and merchandising plans that support profitable sales growth.

Supplier, Risk, and Compliance Responsibilities

· Maintain effective supplier relationships and participate in supplier performance reviews using service, quality, cost, lead-time, and responsiveness measures.

· Identify supply risks and develop practical alternatives, including secondary sources, substitute products, adjusted order timing, and proactive communication.

· Follow company approval, documentation, contract-storage, and stocking-agreement requirements before establishing or reactivating inventory commitments.

· Obtain and maintain required supplier and product documentation, including safety, regulatory, sustainability, and compliance information when applicable.

· Review product and supplier information for accuracy and escalate unusual commercial, freight, safety, or compliance concerns.

Customer and Internal Support

· Respond promptly and accurately to product, pricing, availability, substitution, lead-time, and order-status inquiries.

· Provide Account Managers and Inside Sales with product research, supplier support, cost information, and practical alternatives.

· Assist with escalated customer issues involving product availability, delayed shipments, pricing adjustments, substitutions, returns, and delivery concerns.

· Communicate cost, freight, availability, or supplier changes that may affect customer commitments or sales margins.

· Build effective working relationships across Purchasing, Sales, Operations, Customer Service, Accounting, and other WCP divisions.

Qualifications

· Minimum of two years of experience in purchasing, procurement, merchandising, inventory management, or supply chain work.

· Distribution or wholesale industry experience is strongly preferred.

· Experience in purchasing, inventory, or business management systems is strongly preferred.

· Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel; ability to work with reports, spreadsheets, and data used for purchasing decisions.

· Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities accurately in a fast-paced environment with limited supervision.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

· Strong analytical, mathematical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.

· Ability to interpret purchasing and inventory data, identify trends and exceptions, and make timely business decisions.

· Strong attention to detail, data accuracy, organization, follow-through, and deadline management.

· Clear and professional verbal and written communication skills.

· Customer-focused approach with a sense of urgency and practical judgment.

· Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across teams and locations.

· Adaptability and willingness to learn new systems, tools, products, suppliers, and processes.

· High level of professionalism, accountability, and integrity.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

· Work is primarily performed in a professional office environment with extensive computer and telephone use.

· Frequent interaction with suppliers, customers, and internal departments.

· Ability to sit or stand for extended periods and occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.

· Occasional travel and overtime may be required during inventory events, supplier transitions, system changes, or peak business periods.

Benefits

· Paid time off, paid holidays, and paid sick time.

· Parental leave.

· Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.

·401(k) with company match.

· Tuition reimbursement.

· Opportunities for advancement.

· Employee referral program.