Purchasing Analyst

Title : Purchasing Analyst
Location : St. Cloud, MN
Job Type : Permanent
Compensation : $65,000 - $75,000 + Bonus Opportunity
Industry: Manufacturing

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About the Role
We are partnering with a rapidly growing manufacturer of feature-rich, specialty LED lighting and controls to find a Purchasing Analyst for their St. Cloud, MN operation. Our client serves the commercial, specification, and national account distribution markets, and recently became part of a larger global lighting organization—expanding their supply chain reach across Asia, Europe, and North America.
This is a high-impact, hands-on role for a numbers-driven professional who thrives on cost savings, disciplined sourcing, and keeping inventory flowing at the right levels. You'll work closely with the Operations Manager and a global vendor management team while gaining exposure to an international supply chain and a fun, growth-oriented culture built on the values of being easy to work with , doing what it takes , and embracing change .
Job Description
Reporting to the Director of Operations, the Purchasing Analyst will drive cost savings and improve cash flow while ensuring high-quality products are available when needed. This person owns the purchasing cycle end to end—placing orders, managing product data, forecasting demand, and coordinating inbound logistics—while building strong supplier relationships and instilling best-in-class sourcing discipline.
Key Outcomes

• Increase profitability and gross margin by reducing product cost and improving supply chain efficiency (freight, duties, tariffs, etc.).
• Optimize cash flow by reducing inventory to fewer than 180 Days on Hand (DOH).
• Eliminate stock-outs and backorders to maintain service levels (target: 0 backorders).
• Minimize inventory write-offs through disciplined cycle counting and end-of-life (EOL) processes.

Responsibilities

• Inventory Management: Maintain accurate inventory data, manage min/max levels and just-in-time ordering, issue purchase orders, and confirm delivery dates, quantities, and pricing. Handle occasional special-order purchases.
• Demand Planning & Forecasting: Forecast inventory needs based on purchasing cycles and product sales analysis to keep warehouse levels optimized.
• Sourcing Strategy: Source globally—including China, Thailand, Vietnam, Poland, Canada, and the U.S.—to secure quality solutions at the right cost.
• SKU Setup & Maintenance: Create and maintain product SKUs as part of new product launches within agent software systems.
• Supplier Selection: Identify, rank, and weight supplier criteria; build a consistent selection process; and pre-qualify potential suppliers.
• Negotiation: Lead supplier agreements and negotiations to secure the most competitive price and service offers.
• Logistics & Shipping: Coordinate inbound shipments via air and ocean freight with forwarders and logistics partners to ensure availability at the best landed cost.
• Relationship Management: Manage supplier performance and agreements to sustain service levels and price competitiveness, including after-hours video calls with international vendors.
• Budgeting: Prepare and manage an annual purchasing budget, track results monthly, analyze variances, and reallocate resources to pursue new opportunities.

Growth Opportunities
This role offers strong potential for career progression into Merchandising, Product/Cost Management, or Product Planning as the organization continues to scale. Qualifications
Required Qualifications:

• 3+ years of professional purchasing/procurement experience, ideally within an inventory-oriented business involving light assembly, light manufacturing, and/or distribution.
• Experience buying physical products is required.
• Demonstrated experience across:
  • Demand forecasting
  • Inventory planning
  • Purchasing/procurement
  • SKU setup and management
  • Warehouse inventory coordination
• Advanced Excel and spreadsheet skills with a highly numbers-oriented, analytical, and financial mindset.
• Strong vendor identification, evaluation, negotiation, management, and communication skills.
• Proven ability to reduce costs and generate savings.
• Experience overseeing shipping and supply chain logistics, including both air and ocean freight.
• High attention to detail with strong problem-solving, planning, and organizational skills.
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally to Asia annually (approximately 10 days) and to interact with global vendors after-hours as needed.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Associate or Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business, Finance, or a related field.
• Electrical and/or mechanical aptitude.
• Background in merchandising, product planning, product management, distribution, or the HVAC industry.
• Working knowledge of ERP and WMS systems; experience with ForecastRX, Salesforce, and QuickBooks is a plus.
• Experience working with international vendors and foreign cultures (China, Asia, Europe, Mexico) in a business setting.

Benefits
This position offers an excellent benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, along with a Health Savings Account (HSA) featuring a company match. Employees are also eligible for a 401(k) plan with up to a 4% company match, paid holidays, paid time off (PTO), and life insurance. In addition, team members can earn an annual bonus based on both individual and organizational performance. How to Apply
Take the first step on your new career path!  To submit yourself for consideration for this role, simply click the apply button and complete our mobile-friendly online application. Once we’ve reviewed your application details, a recruiter will reach out to you with next steps!
Equal Opportunity Statement
As an equal opportunity employer, Dahl Consulting welcomes candidates of all backgrounds and experiences to apply. If this position sounds like the right opportunity for you, we encourage you to take the next step and connect with us. We look forward to meeting you!

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