The Purchasing Coordinator will be responsible for aiding in the raw material and finished good purchasing operations, managing vendor relationships, supporting sourcing initiatives, overseeing shipping and logistics, and ensuring materials are available to meet production needs. This role supports Production Management and Sourcing; you will also collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Product Development, Quality Control, and Merchandising, to support the production lifecycle, from planning to delivery, and ensure a reliable and flexible supply chain.
Key Responsibilities
- Order Placement & Oversight: Collaborate with Inventory Coordinator and Production Manager to place orders for stock and special orders, ensuring materials and finished goods are available on time. Audit open orders on a weekly and monthly basis
- Shipment Coordination: Work closely with vendors and internal teams to manage the receipt of shipments, ensuring products meet quality standards and delivery timelines
- Vendor Communication: Communicate daily with vendors regarding open orders, delays, sourcing, and other purchasing-related matters, ensuring smooth vendor relationships
- RTV Management: Manage the Return to Vendor (RTV) process for defective or incorrect items, ensuring quick resolution and proper documentation
- Supplier Onboarding: Identify, onboard, and build relationships with new suppliers, ensuring they meet company requirements
- Vendor Assessments: Regularly assess vendors based on quality, delivery timelines, and pricing to ensure performance meets expectations
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work with the RRQ, Training, and Product Development teams to ensure material needs are met and communicate material ETAs, delays, and risks to relevant teams
- Industry Research: Stay up to date with industry trends and materials, researching and recommending new materials for design and production
- Material Sourcing: Support Product Development in sourcing new materials, ensuring that options align with design needs and production standards. Additionally, identify opportunities to re-source current components, focusing on cost-saving, efficiency, and quality improvements
- ERP Expertise: Be an expert in our ERP/purchasing software, ensuring all purchasing data is accurate and up to date.
- Regular Reporting: Provide weekly and monthly reports on purchasing activities, vendor performance, open orders, and the status of production and sourcing efforts
- Sustainability & Compliance: Communicate sourcing details to relevant sustainability teams and ensure compliance with sustainability standards and industry regulations
Our Ideal Candidate
- 2-3 years of experience in a purchasing or production management, preferably in a jewelry, fashion, or manufacturing industry
- Strong organizational and multitasking abilities, with the ability to prioritize in a fast-paced environment
- Effective communication and negotiation skills for vendor management and cross-department collaboration
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, etc.), with experience in ERP systems (experience with jewelry-specific systems is a plus)
- Strong understanding of sourcing and vendor management, especially within a contract manufacturing environment
- Ability to navigate changing priorities and handle complex, dynamic workflows
- Experience in process creation, documentation, and system implementation
