POSITION SUMMARY

The Buyer is responsible for managing companywide strategies and tactics on new and discontinued items, category management and customer-specific sales initiatives. The Buyer is responsible for developing strategies and solutions to exceed company targets for sales and gross profit margin.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Item sales analysis with purpose of making recommendations for promotions, new item introductions, and pricing.
• Analysis and maintenance of category assortments by account.
• Generates new item inventory needs and sales forecasts.
• Attends relevant industry trade shows and conferences to evaluate industry trends, identify and source new items.
• Evaluates items and programs based on quality, viability, sales history and profitability.
• Understands cross-merchandising mechanics and works collaboratively to fulfill category needs.
• Creates budgets and projections.
• Negotiates pricing, makes packaging/product recommendations and finalizes production samples with existing and new suppliers.
• Analyzes and develops pricing strategy to maximize profitability and sales.
• Coordinates with product development team on new item opportunities.
• Collaborates with buying and sales teams on promotional opportunities.
• Additional duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS / REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's Degree in Business or related field
• 2+ years of previous purchasing experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Periodic travel either locally, nationally, and/or internationally may be required.
• High degree of proficiency MS Office Suite, Outlook & Internet applications.
• Strong analytical, prioritizing, interpersonal, problem-solving, presentation, budgeting, project management (from conception to completion), & planning skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills (including analysis, interpretation, & reasoning).
• Solid understanding and application of mathematical concepts.
• Ability to develop and maintain collaborative relationships with peers and colleagues across the organization, as well as, internal and external clients.
• Ability to work well autonomously and within a team in a fast-paced and deadline-oriented environment.
• Ability to work with and influence peers and senior management.
• Self-motivated with critical attention to detail, deadlines and reporting.
• Ability to work overtime as necessary.

PHYSICAL ASPECTS / WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Regularly required to stand; walk; sit; and talk, hear and see.
• Regularly/Occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
* Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.

Matthews Memorialization is a leader in the memorialization industry who is committed to helping customers grow their businesses and helping families move from grieving to remembrance by providing products of superior craftsmanship and revenue generating programs and services. Within this industry, our Environmental Solutions is focused on the design and manufacture of advanced combustion systems. Matthews Memorialization is a (MATW) Matthews International company.

http://matw.com/memorialization/

At Matthews International, what makes us different is what makes us great. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.

Matthews International affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, genetic information, age, disability or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled.

Matthews International endeavors to make our employment website and application process accessible to all users and applicants. In doing so, Matthews International provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you have a disability and require a reasonable accommodation or assistance completing the application process, please contact a member of our Human Resource Team.

Nearest Major Market: Cincinnati