Associate Buyer

OverviewWhat We Do:We calm the confusion of IT by guiding the connection between people and technology. If a customer is looking for a better way to manage their warehouse inventory, equip their workforce, or secure their data, we make it happen. All it takes is finding the right combination of tech hardware, software, cloud solutions, and support services. That’s what we do. We’re the IT Department’s IT Department.Who We Are:Our team is made stronger by a multitude of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. It’s what makes Connection unique—what drives us to innovate and create technology solutions that stand apart from the crowd. We’d love for you to be a part of that fabric, to share your ideas and experiences with a team that thrives on fresh thinking, creativity, and helping others.Why You Should Join Us:You’ll find supportive teammates and a rewarding career at Connection—plus great benefits. We take pride in supporting employees with a total rewards package that provides financial, emotional, and physical resources for you and your family. Our compensation, 401k plans, medical insurance, and other benefits are progressive and competitive. We value the importance of our employees’ emotional well-being. To support employees, we provide free therapy visits, mental health coaching and tools, and meditation resources. You’ll also enjoy a generous paid time off package that includes not only vacation and sick time, but also Wellness and Volunteer Time Off days. The Associate Buyer participates in the management of specific vendor lines and is authorized to negotiate the best pricing on behalf of the company. This role is responsible for investigating and resolving product packaging and receiving issues, as well as acting as a company representative in internal problem resolution. The Associate Buyer also supports the development of new contract terms and pricing for new products and vendors, while maintaining vendor management.ResponsibilitiesProcure products at competitive pricing through multiple sources. Prepare purchase orders in accordance with company policy.Create SKUs for sales order placement and maintain SKU status to support sales and web activity.Determine the best source of supply, including secondary and tertiary supply options.Track and manage virtual and/or drop-ship inventory to support sales and web activity.Negotiate the lowest possible product cost and support contract term and pricing negotiations.Expedite purchase orders and update estimated arrival dates as needed.Process price protection claims and follow through with necessary selling price changes.Review vendor and distributor promotions and take appropriate action.Analyze backorder reports and address issues as needed.Assist with forecasting suggested stocking levels, where applicable, while working to minimize excess inventory.Evaluate non-productive SKUs and recommend appropriate action.Resolve product packaging and receiving issues.Obtain return authorizations for stock rotations and customer returns.Communicate cross-functionally with Sales, Technical Support, Returns, Credit, Accounts Payable, Finance, Information Systems, Customer Service, Receiving, Ad Production, Supply Chain, and Management.Act as an agent for problem resolution and respond to internal inquiries through the PCC Call Tracker/Case Management system in a timely and accurate manner.Partner with Product Marketing Managers in product evaluation and consideration.Order products for evaluation, where applicable.Improve vendor relationships by attending vendor meetings and assisting with vendor presentation preparation.RequirementsWorking knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite with the ability to utilize email, create a document, or manipulate data in an Excel Spreadsheet.Good communication skills, time management, analytical and problem-solving ability, and leadership potential.Self-directed and well organized.Because of the possibility for fraudulent job postings on many popular job boards, please be advised that Connection will never offer a position of employment without a complete interview process and communication with a "live person."SummaryIndustry: Information Technology and ServicesJob Family: Purchasing / Customer SvcLevel: Full Time