Purchasing Manager

Dakota Supply Group (DSG) is seeking a Purchasing Manager to work on-site in either our Fargo, ND, Plymouth, MN or La Crosse, WI location. In this full-time, exempt position, work is typically performed during standard business hours, Monday through Friday, but may vary on occasion due to business needs. The Purchasing Manager is responsible for leading the coordination of buying, inventory management and demand planning functions for segments of a multi-site wholesale Electrical, HVAC and Plumbing distribution company. This role requires the analysis of broad and complex inventory issues and the formulation of executable purchasing strategies to ensure a high-level of service to customers and branches. The Purchasing Manager will also be responsible for ensuring proper in-stock rates, turn-times and other KPI’s are delivered, and will develop processes to provide accurate forecasting and reduce obsolete inventory. In addition, this person will work collaboratively with vendors, branch managers, GM’s and sales teams to identify gaps and opportunities, then develop robust plans to help support anticipated sales growth.

The Purchasing Manager will be responsible for proactively analyzing sales trends to identify purchasing opportunities, as well as use market trend data to identify potential new offerings both domestic and overseas. The Purchasing Manager will be responsible for understanding and monitoring the raw materials market to identify opportunities in pricing and availability and to mitigate risks from volatile pricing and availability. The qualified candidate will be an integral member of the Operations leadership team and a key sponsor of strategic purchasing objectives, reporting directly to the VP of Operations, with frequent collaboration with the VP of Sales, Regional General Managers, Regional Sales Managers, and Branch Managers.

DSG is a people-centric, customer-obsessed, and growth-focused wholesale distributor. With over 130,000 (and growing!) products, not only are we one of the most diversified suppliers in the upper Midwest, we also have expertise in electrical, HVAC, plumbing, waterworks, utility, communications, and more! We have fun, we are friendly, and we embody a culture that genuinely cares for people far beyond their job title. Our purpose is to serve fellow employee owners, our partners, and communities toward building a better America, one job at a time. We are proud to be 100% employee owned, with an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) that gives our employee owners a unique opportunity to build their personal wealth in addition to a traditional retirement plan.

A Typical Day in the Life of a Purchasing Manager at DSG:

• Lead, mentor and supervise a dynamic team of purchasing professionals in multiple branch locations.
• Collaborate with Sales and Field leaders to ensure proper inventory levels at all locations and to identify the proper demand needed for seasonal buys.
• Work with vendors, branch managers, general managers and sales teams to identify gaps and opportunities and develop plans to help support anticipated sales growth.
• Manage order flow to ensure inventory is maintained to the optimum level to support sales forecasts and to maximize the customer experience.
• Develop robust inventory strategies for all branches in a hub-and-spoke distribution model.
• Create processes to reduce the amount of excess inventory in branches, while developing strategies to minimize future obsolete inventory through strategic purchasing.
• Establish and maintain measurable scorecards at all levels of the purchasing function, including supplier performance, buyer KPI’s and company inventory levels.
• Foster relationships with key vendor partners to develop strategic partnerships that will support anticipated sales growth.
• Lead the purchasing transition into a new ERP system, creating new process and procedures to enhance efficiencies.
• Analyze sales trends to identify purchasing opportunities, as well as use market trend data to identify potential new offerings.
• All other duties as assigned.

A Successful Purchasing Manager Typically Has:

• Bachelor's degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, or a related discipline with a minimum of 8+ years related experience in the industry, including minimum 3-5 years in a management capacity, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong business knowledge and experience, with the ability to provide reporting and analysis of purchasing and inventory trends.
• Skills in planning, organizing, directing, and coordinating a wide variety of activities; developing, implementing and communicating policies and procedures throughout an organization.
• Excellent people skills, with an ability to collaborate with internal leaders and external partners.
• An adaptable mindset with the ability to multi-task; can work within an ambiguous, fast-moving work environment while also driving toward clarity and solutions.
• Integrity, credibility, a sensible risk-taking mindset, proactive leadership, and a forward-thinking, strategic mindset.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA), with employer contribution
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan, with employer match
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Dependent Care FSA
• Short and Long Term Disability Insurance
• Comprehensive Wellness Program
• Teledoc, a virtual telehealth benefit
• Referral Bonus
• Generous PTO Allowance & Extended Medical Leave
• Volunteer hours
• Length of Service Awards
• Employee discounts on DSG supplied products!
• Personal and professional development opportunities
• And more!