Purchasing Specialist

Merola Tile is a leading national tile distributor that proudly imports high quality, on-trend and emotionally inspiring tiles from around the world to suit a diverse flooring market.

The NJ Division of Merola Tile employs approximately 130 people and distributes tile in the U.S. and Canada through The Home Depot, independently owned tile showrooms, and numerous e-commerce retailers under the Merola Tile, SomerTile, and Elite Tile brand names. SomerTile has been recognized as one of the INC 5000’s fastest growing companies for 3 years straight.

OBJECTIVE: Enhance purchase orders and inventory management by executing forecasts, optimizing inventory levels, and managing vendor relationships.

Role and Responsibilities

Purchase Order and Inventory Management

• Analyze, recommend, and execute inventory optimization opportunities based on historical trends and forecasts.
• Maintain appropriate inventory levels and reduce risk of out of stocks.
• Communicate cross functionally replenishment details
• Confirm, follow up, and expediate purchase orders to ensure on-time delivery
• Resolve discrepancies and/or issues as they occur during the purchase order cycle
• Resolve invoice discrepancies in a timely manner
• Maintain system data accuracy including lead time, MOQ, and purchase order

Supplier Management

• Resolve discrepancies and/or issues as they occur during the purchase order cycle
• Facilitate the escalation process
• Effectively manage supplier performance by assisting with quality concerns

Cost Reduction and Margin Enhancement

• Use independent judgment to identify, recommend, and execute opportunities to optimize inventories, drive cost savings, reduce lead time and improve delivery performance and attain optimal inventory levels.

Relationships

• Handle sourcing, purchasing and customer service for all suppliers.
• Assist in maintaining relationships with all partners in the supply chain.
• Understand freight forwarder and customs involvement in supply chain.
• Performance
• Ensure KPI metrics are met.

COMPETENCIES

• Judgement-- Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions. Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.
• Oral Communication-- Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.
• Written Communication-- Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.
• Teamwork-- Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
• Professionalism-- Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.
• Quality-- Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality.
• Accountability-- Take ownership and accept responsibility of actions, Set the bar high and acknowledge all levels of performance from self and others, document lessons and commit to fair and consistent correctio of sub-standard work performance.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• Strong Excel skills
• 3 years' experience in purchasing preferred.
• Outstanding analytical capabilities and attention to detail.
• Strong analytical ability with a proficient understanding of math and inventory management concepts.
• Ability to prioritize and make decisions in a timely manner.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Motivated to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Bachelor's degree preferred.

Physical Demands

Regularly stand/sit for extended periods, operate office equipment, perform light-moderate lifting, lift/move up to 35 lbs. occasionally, bend, twist, and maintain posture. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.

Additional Notes

• Must be authorized to work in the United States.

COMPANY CORE VALUES

Merola Tile Fundamentals

We stay true to our mission statement “Improving Homes. Improving Lives.” With our product we improve homes, but it is with our collective effort that we improve lives. Our Fundamentals describe the values, behaviors, principles, and practices that are the foundation of our unique workplace. It explains how we relate to each other, our clients, and even our suppliers. It’s who we are, and it’s what drives our extraordinary success. It’s our commitment to each other to improve our lives.

https://merolatile.com/merola-fundamentals/

Merola Tile Brands, Benefits, & Perks:

• You'll enjoy coming to work because we have a refreshing company culture that is open, respectful and fun.
• Merola Tile Fundamentals, we stay true to our mission statement “improving homes, improving lives” through our 33 fundamentals.
• 9 Paid holidays
• Paid Time Off earned and accrued from first day.
• Competitive salary, and bonus structure
• 401(K) eligibilities after one month, with company match
• Healthcare Benefits including dental and vision.
• Employer Paid Life insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Referral Bonus Program
• Employee discount on tile and stoneware after six (6) months
• Merit-based performance review given after first ninety (90) days with the company.
• Company culture events like BBQ's, Ugly Sweater Day, t-shirt making events and Halloween costume contest.
• Weekly lunches from local businesses

This job description may not be inclusive of all assigned duties, responsibilities, or aspects of the job described, and may be amended at any time at the sole discretion of the Employer.

Merola Tile provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $27.00 - $29.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• No weekends

Experience:

• Purchasing: 3 years (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Manalapan, NJ 07726 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Manalapan, NJ 07726: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person