The Position: Global Buyer
The Journey Of 1,000 Miles
Yeah, we all know it begins with one step, but what do you do when you reach your destination? If you’re anything like us at Columbia Sportswear, you join a team that’ll start you off on another journey. For over 70 years we’ve been exceeding our goals and forging new paths beyond them. Along the way we’ve become America’s premier performance apparel company, and a great place to work. If you’re looking for something different and rewarding, the next journey you make could begin here.
PLEASE APPLY ONLINE AT WWW.COLUMBIA.COM
Position Summary:
Work closely with supply planners to monitor/adjust production schedules to ensure adequate inventory levels, while maximizing on time delivery and optimal turns at the warehouse. Work with manufacturing liaison offices/US distribution centers to accommodate customer requirements as needed. Support Supply Planners’ global style level buy decisions and initiate creation of production orders at the size level. Support Demand Planners in company category/style level forecasting process.
Essential Functions/Major Responsibilities:
Maximize use of factory capacity and minimize constraints such as production and raw material minimums by coordinating international subsidiary and distributor buys with U.S. buys.
Coordinate and assist Supply/Demand Planners in the generation and maintenance of production forecasts/buy plans for assigned product lines.
Maintain the optimal supply/demand match. Monitor inventory levels and availability for assigned product lines. Run and review all needed reports, such as cut & sold, at risk order, and production delays. Make recommendations on adjustments to the Supply Planner.
Monitor production status using standard and ad-hoc reports. Communicate needed actions to manufacturing liaison offices to maximize service levels to customers.
Maintain inventory segmentation to optimize customer order fulfillment. Work closely with US distribution centers, issue work orders to initiate label changes.
Contribute to accurate and complete Value Added Services by working with Customer Operations department and account reps. Review incoming sales orders for assigned product lines for VAS requirements.
Assist Demand Planners with account/product category forecasting. Participate in merchandising/sales review meetings as needed.
Monitor/maintain size curves in planning inventory management system.
Assure ongoing ERP item master accuracy. Monitor catalog adjustments/changes and make changes to the ERP system. Make appropriate adjustments to buy plans as needed.
Specific Job Skills:
Required:
- Proactive and assertive in follow-through with colleagues and business partners.
- The ability to collaborate and influence others.
- A well developed ability to speak, read and write English, including writing clear and concise business communication.
- Strong analytical and problem solving skills.
- Basic experience using Microsoft Excel to create and work with spreadsheets.
Desired:
- Experience in key supply chain functions including sales forecasting, material requirements, master production schedules, production planning, manufacturing, inbound and outbound logistics, and distribution.
- Experience using information systems associated with demand and supply planning.
- Ability to use Microsoft Access, including running preformatted reports.
Beneficial:
- Previous work with other cultures in a business setting, and awareness of and sensitivity to cultural differences.
Education and/or Experience
- Bachelors Degree, in Business, Economics, Supply Chain Management or equivalent work experience.
- Minimum one year experience, preferably in supply chain management, planning or distribution.
- Apparel/footwear industry experience desired.
- International business work experience desired.
Job Conditions:
- Job requires hours that may occasionally exceed 8 hours per day and/or 40 hours per week during times of peak activity.
- Evening meetings and/or weekend work occasionally required to collaborate with people in other time zones and to ensure timely project completion.
- Some job pressure exists in the balancing of several projects with conflicting and sometimes changing deadlines.
This job description is not meant to be an all inclusive list of duties and responsibilities, but constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and function in the company.
Columbia Sportswear is an equal opportunity employer.
Position Type: Full Time
Country: United States
Willing to Relocate:
Willing to Travel:
Minimum Experience Required: 1-3 years
Job Application Web Site: http://www.columbia.com
