Buyer and Inventory Planning Analyst

LHH Recruitment Solutions has partnered with a growing organization, and they are seeking a motivated Buyer and Inventory Planning Analyst – Distribution Environment to join their team. This is an excellent opportunity for a purchasing professional who enjoys combining hands‑on buying responsibilities with inventory analysis, demand planning, replenishment, supplier management, and cost optimization. This position is ideal for someone who can look beyond day‑to‑day purchase order activity and use data to improve product availability, inventory performance, and purchasing decisions. The successful candidate will take ownership of the purchasing cycle, evaluate demand and usage patterns, monitor inventory levels, coordinate with suppliers, and collaborate with internal distribution and operational teams. The Buyer and Inventory Planning Analyst will be responsible for purchasing products and materials required to support customer demand and distribution operations. This individual will analyze forecasts, inventory positions, replenishment requirements, supplier lead times, and purchasing trends to determine what products should be ordered, when orders should be placed, and the appropriate quantities to purchase. The role requires someone who is comfortable working independently, responding to changing priorities, and making well‑supported purchasing decisions in a fast‑moving environment. The Buyer and Inventory Planning Analyst will also help improve supplier performance, reduce purchasing and freight costs, resolve supply issues, and strengthen inventory controls. Key Responsibilities: Manage purchasing activities from demand review and replenishment analysis through purchase order creation, supplier follow‑up, delivery, and receipt. Analyze customer demand, historical usage, inventory availability, open orders, purchasing patterns, and supplier lead times to support replenishment decisions. Evaluate inventory requirements and proactively place orders to maintain product availability while minimizing excess, obsolete, and slow‑moving inventory. Monitor inventory levels across the distribution network and identify potential shortages, overstock situations, or unusual ordering activity. Develop and maintain effective working relationships with suppliers while addressing pricing, availability, lead times, service performance, delivery concerns, and product discrepancies. Coordinate with operations, logistics, customer service, finance, and other internal stakeholders to align purchasing and inventory plans with customer requirements. Track open purchase orders, confirm expected delivery dates, communicate changes, and elevate supply risks that could affect product availability or customer service. Resolve shortages, shipment variances, pricing discrepancies, freight issues, quantity differences, and other purchasing or receiving concerns. Maintain accurate product costs, purchasing terms, supplier information, item data, and related documentation within the company’s ERP system. Compare supplier pricing options, including origin‑based pricing and delivered pricing, to determine the most cost‑effective total landed cost. Partner with logistics and distribution teams to evaluate transportation expenses and identify opportunities to reduce inbound freight costs. Review supplier performance, purchasing spend, inventory movement, inventory turns, and other key supply chain metrics. Prepare recurring and ad hoc analyses related to purchasing, replenishment, supplier performance, product availability, spend, and inventory health. Identify irregularities in ordering or consumption patterns and collaborate with internal teams to determine the cause and appropriate corrective action. Support strategic sourcing efforts, supplier evaluations, contract compliance, and cost‑reduction initiatives. Contribute to process improvement projects focused on purchasing controls, inventory accuracy, workflow efficiency, reporting, and supplier performance. Maintain complete and accurate purchasing records in accordance with internal controls, company policies, and audit requirements. Qualifications and Skills: Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Finance, Operations, or a related discipline is preferred. Two years of experience in buying, purchasing, procurement, inventory planning, replenishment, or a related supply chain position. Direct experience making purchasing and replenishment decisions based on inventory levels, demand, forecasts, usage trends, and supplier lead times. Demonstrated experience creating and managing purchase orders throughout the purchasing lifecycle. Experience monitoring supplier performance and resolving issues involving pricing, quantities, freight, delivery, availability, or purchasing terms. Ability to interpret inventory data and translate analytical findings into practical purchasing actions. Experience working within an ERP or inventory management system. Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including PivotTables, VLOOKUP or XLOOKUP, INDEX and MATCH, and other data analysis functions. Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work effectively across purchasing, planning, logistics, distribution, operations, finance, and customer‑facing teams. Strong organizational, analytical, problem‑solving, and time‑management abilities. Ability to manage multiple priorities, respond to urgent purchasing requirements, and adjust quickly when supply or customer needs change. High level of accuracy and attention to detail when reviewing inventory, product information, supplier pricing, purchase orders, and delivery documentation. Ability to work independently, prioritize assignments, and follow responsibilities through to completion. Purchasing products within a distribution, wholesale, consumer products, food and beverage, hospitality supply, or other high‑volume inventory environment. Working with products that have fluctuating customer demand, variable lead times, or time‑sensitive availability requirements. Supporting inventory planning or replenishment across multiple customers, product categories, programs, or stocking locations. Analyzing total landed cost, freight expenses, supplier pricing, inventory turns, and purchasing performance indicators. Participating in supplier negotiations, sourcing projects, cost‑saving initiatives, or continuous improvement programs. Compensation Range: $65,000 - $77,000 Benefits Offered: 2 weeks of vacation, paid sick leave where applicable by state law, Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance Vision Insurance, 401K, and Life Insurance. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please visit The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable: The California Fair Chance Act Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers #J-18808-Ljbffr LHH