Position Summary:
The Purchasing Specialist is responsible for procurement of existing products from a variety of assigned domestic and international vendor accounts. These accounts require regular analysis, monitoring of sales activities, product knowledge and breakdown/packaging coordination. This position interacts with numerous internal departments.
Essential Functions:

• Develop and maintain vendor relationships. Participate in vendor meetings, conference calls and events.
• Sales analysis and monitoring of assigned accounts. Tracking inbound shipments, maintaining product data, and keeping management informed of any product and supply chain issues.
• Generate purchase orders as needed based on sales run rates and projected marketing activities. Ordering with a goal of keeping items in stock with minimal excess inventory.
• Negotiate product costs, packaging, ship methods and business terms
• Address and resolve vendor issues and product issues in a timely manner
• Maintain the company’s high product quality standards
• Regularly communicate with vendors, providing ordering forecasts, sales history, product status updates, negotiations, and issue resolution. Communication with International vendors is often necessary outside of the normal business hours.
• Monitor sales activities and identify trends that may affect products in stock rates.
• Jewelry making product knowledge or the desire to learn about products and a variety of materials including metals and gemstones.
• Other duties and projects to be assigned as needed.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and, Experience

• College degree or equivalent experience required
• Purchasing and negotiation experience with domestic and/or international vendors
• Import and export knowledge beneficial
• Excellent MS Excel skills including the ability to generate complex spreadsheets including advanced calculations
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to thrive in a fast paced, constantly changing environment
• Strong mathematic skills
• Ability to handle multiple priorities regarding various responsibilities with minimal supervision
• Strong analytical/problem solving skills
• Thorough organizational and documentation skills
• Foreign language skills a plus. (Preferably Mandarin, Hindi or Thai)

Core Competencies: Drive, Active Listening, Initiative, Functional/Technical Expertise, Communicativeness, Learning Agility, Assertiveness, Change Mastery, Creativity, Problem Solving and Decision Making
Physical Demands: Ability to remain in a stationary position 90% of the time with extensive computer use. Occasional lifting typically between 5 and 25 pounds. Daily movement between buildings.
Work Environment: Normal office environment
Fire Mountain Gems and Beads is a drug-free workplace and is an Equal Opportunity/Access/Affirmative Action/Pro Disabled & Veteran Employer. We are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with our commitment, we will take steps to assure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations, Accordingly, if reasonable accommodation is required to fully participate in the job application or interview process, to perform the essential functions of the position, and/or receive all other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Human Resources at 541-956-8233.