Purchasing Manager presso Eden Brothers LLC

Description

Company Overview

Eden Brothers is one of the largest online retailers of flower bulbs and seeds in the United States and located in Arden, North Carolina.  Our company operates with a commitment to excellence in customer service, product quality, and operational efficiency. Our mission is to help gardeners of all experience levels create beautiful, thriving landscapes through premium products and expert guidance.

Position Summary

The Purchasing Manager is responsible for overseeing the procurement of materials, supplies, and services essential to company operations. This role develops and executes purchasing strategies, negotiates vendor contracts, and ensures optimal pricing, quality, and timely delivery. The Purchasing Manager collaborates closely with internal departments—including inventory, operations, and finance—to forecast needs, manage supplier relationships, monitor inventory levels, and maintain cost efficiency. The ideal candidate demonstrates strong analytical skills, a deep understanding of supply chain processes, and the ability to lead and develop a high-performing procurement team.

Key Responsibilities

• Procure Seeds, Bulbs, and Related Inventory
  Source and purchase high-quality seeds, bulbs, and associated materials from domestic and international suppliers to meet seasonal demand and sales forecasts.
• Vendor Management and Negotiation
  Establish and maintain strong relationships with vendors and growers. Negotiate pricing, terms, lead times, and quality standards to optimize cost and supply reliability.
• Forecasting and Demand Planning
  Collaborate with the Inventory and Marketing teams to project inventory needs based on historical sales trends, seasonal peaks, and marketing campaigns.
• Purchase Order Management
  Create and manage purchase orders in alignment with projected needs. Track and confirm deliveries, resolve discrepancies, and ensure timely fulfillment.
• Cost Control and Budget Alignment
  Monitor product costs against budgets and margin targets. Identify opportunities for cost savings without compromising quality or delivery timelines.
• Inventory Optimization
  Work with the Inventory and Receiving teams to manage stock levels, minimize overstock and stockouts, and support accurate and efficient receiving processes.
• Product Availability and Seasonality Coordination
  Ensure timely procurement and availability of product lines aligned with seasonal selling windows and warehouse capacity constraints.
• Data Integrity and Systems Management
  Maintain accurate records of purchasing activity, pricing, supplier data, and product specifications in the company’s ERP or inventory management systems.
• Compliance and Quality Assurance
  Ensure all purchases comply with company standards and applicable regulations (e.g., agricultural import laws, labeling requirements).
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
  Partner with Operations, Customer Service, and Fulfillment teams to address purchasing-related concerns, resolve inventory issues, and support continuous improvement.

Requirements

Required Skills

• Procurement Expertise
  Strong knowledge of purchasing principles, sourcing strategies, and supplier negotiation tactics.
• Inventory and Demand Planning
  Proficiency in forecasting and aligning purchasing with seasonal demand cycles, especially in high-volume environments.
• Vendor Relationship Management
  Ability to evaluate, select, and manage supplier performance, including negotiation of contracts, pricing, and service levels.
• Analytical and Data-Driven Decision Making
  Strong analytical skills to assess historical trends, cost structures, and market dynamics to inform purchasing decisions.
• ERP and Inventory Management Systems
  Hands-on experience with purchasing modules in ERP systems or inventory platforms (e.g., NetSuite, ShipHero, QuickBooks, etc.).
• Attention to Detail
  Accuracy in managing purchase orders, product specifications, delivery timelines, and cost tracking.
• Problem Solving and Adaptability
  Capable of managing supply chain disruptions, vendor delays, and last-minute adjustments under time-sensitive conditions.
• Communication and Collaboration
  Strong verbal and written communication skills to coordinate with internal teams (Inventory, Operations, Finance, Fulfillment) and external vendors.
• Time Management and Prioritization
  Ability to manage multiple purchasing cycles and product lines simultaneously while meeting critical deadlines.
• Knowledge of Agricultural or Seasonal Product Supply Chains (Preferred but beneficial)
  Understanding of sourcing cycles related to seeds, bulbs, and horticultural products is a plus.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

• Associate degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Logistics, or a related field.
• 3–5 years of experience in purchasing, procurement, or supply chain operations, preferably in a warehouse, distribution, or e-commerce environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing supplier relationships, negotiating pricing and terms, and maintaining accurate purchasing records.
• Proficiency with purchasing or inventory management systems and Microsoft Excel.
• Strong understanding of forecasting, cost control, and inventory optimization principles.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Agriculture, or related field.
• Experience sourcing agricultural, horticultural, or seasonal products (e.g., seeds, bulbs, or live goods).
• Familiarity with ERP systems, such as NetSuite, or inventory platforms like ShipHero.
• Experience working in a seasonal or high-volume e-commerce business.
• Certification in procurement or supply chain (e.g., CPM, CSCP, or APICS) is a plus.