Buyer

Job Description

Job Description

Buyer at Shippers Supply, Inc. in Golden Valley, MN

Small company, big impact, growing strong since 1928

Looking for a place where your leadership is noticed and your ideas actually move things? Shippers Supply has been solving packaging challenges for our customers since 1928. We have built a small-company culture that runs on teamwork, professionalism, fun, and real entrepreneurial spirit, the kind of place where YOU can make a difference.

Location

We are on the corner of Douglas Drive and Hwy 55 in Golden Valley, right next to Hwy 100.

Why This Role Exists

We move fast. Every day brings a mix of quick-turn decisions and problems that need someone who can dig in, get to the root cause, and act, not just react. This isn't a role for someone who wants to sit back and process paperwork. It's for someone who gets a genuine charge out of solving a supply problem before it becomes a customer problem, who isn't afraid to pick up the phone and negotiate, and who knows the difference between "urgent" and "important" and handles both well. If you thrive on variety, like owning outcomes, and want your judgment and relationships with vendors to directly move the needle on margin and delivery, this might be the role for you.

What You'll Actually Be Doing

Most days break down roughly like this:

• 75% quick-turn, day-to-day execution: placing orders, chasing rush shipments, resolving vendor issues, keeping things moving
• 20 to 25% slowing down to analyze: digging into inventory reports, reorder points, and turns to make sure the bigger picture is on track

You'll own the full purchasing cycle for your vendor base:

Cost Negotiation

• Negotiate purchase orders on standard items and pricing on non-standard items
• Push for the best possible cost without sacrificing delivery or quality

Inventory Management

• Manage replenishment programs and reorder points
• Monitor inventory turns and keep balances aligned with company goals
• Handle returns and partner across departments to minimize aged inventory

On-Time Delivery

• Place orders that hit customer dates, and stay on top of open POs
• Work directly with vendors to turn around rush orders fast
• Own your on-time delivery metric

Vendor Compliance

• Resolve order discrepancies, delays, damaged goods, and invoice issues
• Hold vendors accountable while keeping the relationship strong

Continuous Improvement

• Bring ideas for making processes and systems better, not just faster
• Follow safety procedures and company policy, and help maintain a safe environment for the team

What Makes Someone Great at This Job

• A sense of urgency. You don't let things sit. When something's on fire, you put it out today, not next week.
• A willingness to dig in. You don't stop at the surface-level answer. You ask why, check the data, and get to the real issue.
• Confidence to negotiate and ask questions. If something's unclear, you speak up. If a price or term isn't right, you push back, respectfully and effectively.
• Over-communication. You keep vendors, teammates, and stakeholders in the loop without being asked.
• The discipline to slow down when it counts. You can shift gears from rapid-fire execution to careful, numbers-driven analysis without missing a beat.

What You Bring

• 2+ years of experience in a purchasing or buying role
• A high aptitude for working with numbers and analyzing data
• Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills; you anticipate issues, not just react to them
• Natural negotiation and interpersonal skills; you build rapport easily and relate well to all kinds of people
• Solid self-management; you handle competing priorities and deadlines without losing your footing
• Intermediate skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook
• A 2-year or 4-year business degree preferred

Work Environment

This is primarily an office-based role involving regular use of phones, computers, and standard office equipment, with occasional lifting up to 40 lbs.

We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

Background checks and drug tests (we do not test for cannabis at new hire) required.

Salary Transparency

The pay range for this position is $60,000-$70,000 per year. Please note that the higher end of the pay range is reserved for candidates with extensive experience and qualifications that exceed the requirements of the role. Most new hires typically start at the beginning of the pay range, with opportunities for growth and increases based on performance and tenure.

Shippers Supply, Inc. offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, healthy savings account (HSA), a 401(k) with company match, paid time off (PTO), Volunteer Time Off (VTO), company-paid life insurance and Long-Term Disability (LTD), and other wellness programs.