Purchasing Agent

Description Farmers & Builders Ace Hardware is looking for a dependable, organized, and analytical Purchasing Agent to help manage purchasing and inventory across our multi-location hardware and building-material operations. This is an important position within our company. The Purchasing Agent will help ensure our stores have the products they need while controlling inventory investment, reducing stock-outs and excess inventory, and maintaining strong vendor relationships. Responsibilities Review inventory levels, sales history, and product demand to determine purchasing needs. Prepare and submit purchase orders accurately and on time. Maintain appropriate inventory levels across multiple locations. Monitor fast-moving, seasonal, promotional, and special-order merchandise. Identify potential stock-outs, overstocks, slow-moving merchandise, and obsolete inventory. Communicate with vendors regarding pricing, availability, lead times, shortages, substitutions, and deliveries. Verify vendor pricing, discounts, rebates, freight terms, and purchasing programs. Work with store managers, operations, sales, and management to coordinate purchasing needs. Monitor cost changes and identify opportunities to improve margins and purchasing efficiency. Assist with vendor credits, returns, discontinued items, and inventory-reduction efforts. Use reports and purchasing data to make informed buying decisions. Continually look for opportunities to improve product availability, inventory turns, and company profitability. Qualifications Previous experience in purchasing, inventory management, retail, wholesale distribution, hardware, lumber, or building materials is preferred. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail. Comfortable working with numbers, reports, and inventory data. Strong computer skills; Microsoft Excel experience is preferred. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines. Ability to work independently and take ownership of responsibilities. Strong judgment, integrity, and follow-through. Preferred experience: Ace Hardware, hardware retail, lumber, building materials, multi-location retail, or wholesale distribution. What We Are Looking For Thinks like an owner when spending company money. Notices problems before they become emergencies. Understands the importance of both strong in-stock levels and responsible inventory investment. Questions unusual costs, quantities, or inventory levels. Follows problems through until they are completely resolved. Communicates clearly with vendors, stores, and management. Wants to continually improve purchasing and inventory performance. Requirements High School Diploma or Eqivalent Must pass a national backgound check Must be able to pass a drug screen #J-18808-Ljbffr Builders-Supply