Buyer - Kansas City, MO

Your career grows here.

At Echo Electric, a brand owned by Sonepar, we are a leader in electrical distribution. Echo Electric represents over $1.2 billion in sales covering Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, Nebraska, and Southern South Dakota. As part of Sonepar, the worldwide leader in electrical distribution, we have a global reach that allows us to offer excellent benefits and develop innovative solutions, while maintaining our strong local roots and close-knit culture. We empower our associates to contribute to our success by adopting the adapt, dare, learn mindset-- adapt to new situations and people, dare to appropriately challenge the status quo, and learn from others and our own experiences.

Our 6 legacy brands known as Echo Electric Supply, Holt, PEPCO, Richards, Shaw Supply, and Springfield Electric have become one brand moving forward with a shared culture, strategy, and vision. We are now going to the market under one bold new brand, Echo Electric.

The Buyer role involves strategically managing a company's inventory, supplier relationships, and procurement processes to optimize product availability, cost-efficiency, and operational smoothness. While the focus of this position is to cover our Kansas City region, this position can report from any of our branch locations throughout the Midwest.

We are looking for associates who:

• Replenishes stock for all locations on assigned vendors to meet customer service expectations and inventory performance goals.
• Maintains good relations with suppliers and ensures that the company receives favorable terms and competitive costs from suppliers.
• Maintains accurate product file in all aspects: item description, minimum buy package, etc., including cost in conjunction with the Pricing Department.
• Maintains a strong knowledge and understanding of current market conditions by conducting interviews with suppliers and identify opportunities for vendor consolidation.
• Ensure strong supplier relationships are developed and maintained and identify cost variances.
• Search for new products and seek better negotiated costs with suppliers; look for opportunities in vertical and horizontal markets.
• Negotiates the return of excess and slow-moving products that work towards team goals to drive trends downward.
• Clearly understands all aspects of the main computer operating system's inventory control and purchasing modules, including the ramification of parameter settings.
• Maintains a high level of product knowledge, stay informed on product lifecycles, and continuously learning of new / replacement products.
• Expedites the stock and special orders with other Echo personnel.
• Analyze inventory for key metrics including risk of stock outs, bulk break receiving points, and turns.
• Utilize historical data to improve inventory profiles.
• Resolves price discrepancies with vendor and Accounts Payable Department to assure proper vendor billing and to maximize cash discounts for Echo.
• Other tasks as assigned by the manager.

What you bring:

• Bachelor degree in Business Administration, Management, or a related field with coursework in Industrial Distribution Management; or 2 years buying experience in a related field or equivalent on the job experience as determined by Echo Electric.
• Commitment to and demonstration of high ethical standards governing professional behavior and interactions, including the ability to maintain information in a confidential manner.
• Proven proficiency in general personal computer applications, as well as in the use of Microsoft Office software, including Word and Excel.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and concisely in written and verbal formats.
• Strong process orientation and systems-thinking capability.
• Proven attentiveness to detail coupled with problem analysis and resolution skills.
• Demonstrated capability to interface and maintain effective relationships with all organizational members.
• Demonstrated time management and organizational skills, including an ability to plan and manage multiple priorities simultaneously.

What we offer:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance plus employer paid short term and long-term disability and life insurance.
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• 401K match
• Profit Sharing
• Tuition reimbursement and employee development.
• Annual Safety Shoe Reimbursement
• Employee Discount on products
• Access to a variety of trainings for personal development

Who we are:

We’re the world’s number one distributor of electrical products, solutions and related services. Echo Electric is owned by Sonepar, a global company with over 500 locations nationwide. Whether you grow at one of our local Opcos or at one in another region, we want you to grow with us! All associates are regularly trained and we value promoting from within when possible.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Sonepar is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability unrelated to ability, marital status, family responsibilities, pregnancy, genetic information, sexual orientation, order of protection status, protected veteran or military status, or an unfavorable discharge from military service, or any other categories protected by federal, state or local law.

EEO is the Law

Applicants and employees are protected under Federal law from discrimination. To learn more, Click here . 

Pay Transparency Non-Discrimination Provision

Sonepar follows Executive Order 11246, including the Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision. To learn more, Click here .