Purchasing Specialist

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES (Note: Other duties may be assigned)

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Business owner of MRO/GNFR supplies regarding stock levels, dead stock, and minimizing OPEX while partnering with internal customers to minimize downtime
• Purchases materials, equipment, supplies, and services of a specialized or complex nature in compliance with purchasing policies and procedures.
• Reviews purchase requisitions and creates purchase orders, and places spot buys as needed.
• Supports buyers to develop sources of supplies; issues bid requests, prepares bid specifications, formal bid invitations, or requests for proposals; receives and analyzes bids, quotes, and proposals; selects and awards vendors to procure requisitioned commodities; and administers contracts.
• Collaborate with internal customers and other department heads to avoid stock outs while controlling inventory costs.
• Responsible for maintaining accurate inventory levels within the tool crib as set by Engineering and Procurement managers.
• Responsible for purchasing of MRO parts inventoried within tool crib.
• Responsible for inventory control efforts of the daily operational supply with controlling inventory levels and supply cost.
• Responsible for resolving inventory, purchase order, receiving, and invoice discrepancies and implement corrective action. 
• Lead inventory and continuous improvement projects relating to operations and process including 5S & Kaizen events for area.
• Responsible for performing general housekeeping requirements within tool crib to maintain organization and cleanliness.
• Responsible for creating purchase orders and maintain trade agreements for distribution center supplies, janitorial, crib, office supplies closet, and any other satellite location.
• Coordinate with suppliers regarding the status of orders to ensure on-time delivery of goods need for internal customers.
• Responsible for creating satellite locations for supplies where applicable and economical.
• Maintain accuracy of systemic inventory levels in CMMS software (eMaint)
• Coordinate service and repair requirements with outside contractor.
• Support buyers in processing purchase requisitions and vendor setups for internal customers.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the manager as needed.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience in supply chain, warehouse, or distribution environment required
• 2 to 4 years in inventory management, purchasing or related supply chain field preferred
• D365 experience preferred
• Familiar with CMMS software preferred

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Light manufacturing/industrial experience preferred with a basic understanding of Vera Bradley manufacturing and operational process preferred.
• Strong PC skills required, with proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook
• Experience with inventory management preferred.
• Experience with setting up and maintaining data within ERP systems preferred
• Good interpersonal and communication skills, which experience in cross functional teams.
• Detail oriented with ability to prioritize and manage workload
• Ability to analyze forecast information to anticipate the needs of the distribution center
• Ability to work well under pressure and strong decision making ability
• Ability to create reports and be a self to starter by seeing opportunities and acting to improve the business

ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those an individual must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Office/Warehouse environment—frequent to constant sitting at a desk utilizing a PC
• Able to left up to 30 lbs

We are proud of the competitive and comprehensive compensation and benefit package provided to our associates and their families. Our compensation package is designed to meet our associates today and help them plan for the future.

Health Benefits

Vera Bradley offers a variety of medical, dental and vision programs to meet your family’s health care needs.

• Medical plan options including both a HDHP/HSA plan and a PPO plan

• Dental

• Vision

• Flexible spending accounts

Survivor Benefits

Life insurance provides peace of mind for your family should the unexpected happen.

• Employer provided 2X your salary in life insurance

• Accidental Death and Disability insurance

• Voluntary life insurance for you, your spouse and your children

Income Protection  

If you are unable to work due to illness or injury Vera Bradley provides several programs to protect your income at no cost to you.

• Short-term disability

• Long-term disability

Retirement Plan

The Vera Bradley 401k plan helps you accumulate savings for retirement

• 401k with generous company match, immediate vesting (age and service requirement)

• Strong line up of professionally managed funds

• Safe-harbor plan design

Paid Time Off  

Enjoy generous time off programs.

• Earn up to 3 weeks of paid time off in your first year of employment with opportunity to earn more

• 9 paid holidays a year

• Paid bereavement leave

Give Back Opportunities  

Vera Bradley offers the opportunity to serve your community.

•        Voluntary Time Off

Holistic Wellness

• Access to a variety of financial, physical, and mental wellness experts

• Employee Assistance Program with access to work/life wellness support including no cost unlimited telephonic counseling services 

• Opportunities for leadership development, skill development and career advancement 

Product Discount

• Generous employee discount on Vera Bradley products 

Ancillary Benefits and Programs

• Bonus opportunity, identity protection, legal services, pet insurance, cell phone discount, employee referral bonus, annual birthday gift, DailyPay, corporate fitness facility and individual policies through Aflac

Equal Opportunity Employer/Vets/Disabled

Vera Bradley is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Affirmative Action Employer. 

Vera Bradley 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. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

For more information, please click the following links:

Vera Bradley's Equal Employment and Affirmative Action Policy

Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal (in English)

Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal (in Spanish)

Pay Transparency (in English)

Pay Transparency (in Spanish)

E-Verify Participation Poster

Right to Work Poster (English)

Right to Work Poster (Spanish)

California Privacy Notice

If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment application process, please send an e-mail to applicationassistance@VeraBradley.com.  Please include the accommodation you are requesting and your contact information. Reasonable accommodations are considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation and other EEO/Affirmative Action issues will be responded to from this e-mail address.

Our intention is to fill this opening within 30 days of the original posting date and applications will be accepted on an on-going basis until the position is filled.

Base Pay Range:

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Vera Bradley’s compensation ranges are based on market data and comply with all local, state and federal regulations. Individual pay within the listed range depends on work location, skills, experience, and relevant education. The posted salary reflects base pay only and excludes bonuses, equity, or other incentives, if applicable.