Inventory Analyst

Company Description Central Marketing is a long-established supplier to the tire retreading, off-the-road (OTR), light truck, aircraft, and new tire industries, providing computerized equipment with varying levels of automation. The company delivers both new and refurbished machinery, along with spare parts and dedicated maintenance technicians to install, service, and support its products. A strong focus on customer service sets Central Marketing apart, with traveling technicians handling onsite start-up and training, and call center staff troubleshooting issues in real time using detailed schematics. With approximately 6,000 individual parts stocked on site for same-day shipment, the company maintains high responsiveness and reliability. Central Marketing operates from a 70,000-square-foot, company-owned facility in Colonial Heights, VA, supported by a team of 24 employees. Role Description We are looking for a hands‑on, organized Procurement, Purchasing & Inventory Analyst to join our inventory team to handle day‑to‑day buying and supply chain operations. You will own the full cycle from vendor sourcing and price negotiation to inventory tracking and order fulfillment. Your goal is to keep our stock levels optimized, avoid costly shortages or excess inventory, and build strong supplier relationships that keep our operations running smoothly. Key Responsibilities Procurement & Sourcing: Research, evaluate, and select reliable vendors. Negotiate pricing, contracts, and favorable delivery terms. Purchasing Administration: Process purchase orders (POs), track shipments, and confirm accurate delivery and fulfillment. Inventory Control: Monitor stock levels, run periodic cycle counts, and reconcile inventory variances in our database. Forecast future supply needs based on production or sales trends. Problem Solving: Proactively resolve shipping delays, damaged goods, or invoice discrepancies with vendors. Process Improvement: Help upgrade and maintain our inventory and procurement software/ERP systems. Qualifications & Skills At least 3 - 5 years of experience in inventory management, purchasing, procurement, supply chain, materials management, or a closely related field. Demonstrated experience coordinating with vendors and suppliers regarding: Purchase orders Pricing and quantity breaks Lead times Shipping and delivery schedules Backorders and shortages Strong ability to analyze purchasing quantities and pricing to determine the most cost‑effective order quantities while considering storage capacity, inventory turnover, cash flow, and anticipated demand. Experience monitoring inventory levels and identifying when parts, supplies, equipment, and other materials should be reordered. Ability to forecast future inventory requirements using historical usage, current inventory levels, open purchase orders, lead times, and anticipated demand. Strong Microsoft Excel skills , including the ability to work with spreadsheets, formulas, sorting/filtering, and inventory‑related data analysis. Experience with an ERP or inventory management system . Proficiency with Microsoft Dynamics GP (Great Plains) is preferred. Willingness and ability to learn Microsoft Dynamics GP if prior experience is not available. Strong attention to detail and organizational skills , particularly when managing multiple vendors, purchase orders, SKUs, and delivery schedules. Ability to identify inventory discrepancies, purchasing issues, stock shortages, excess inventory, and potential supply problems and communicate them appropriately. Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to establish and maintain productive relationships with vendors and internal departments. Ability to negotiate pricing and purchasing terms professionally and effectively. Strong problem‑solving and analytical skills with the ability to make purchasing recommendations based on available data. Ability to work independently, prioritize competing demands, and follow through on purchasing and inventory‑related issues. Soft skills: Excellent negotiation, communication, and analytical skills with a keen eye for detail. In‑person Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM One hour lunch break Company covered premium fees for medical, dental, vision and life insurance #J-18808-Ljbffr Central Marketing