Position Overview
LoweBuys is an Edmonton-based wholesale ecommerce reseller. We source branded merchandise from distributors, brands, and wholesalers, prepare it at our Edmonton warehouse, and sell it on Amazon, Walmart and eBay in both Canada and the United States. Founded in 2018, we employ approximately 18 people and are expanding into new facilities, new sales channels, and a new United States operating entity.
We are seeking an experienced Senior Buyer to take full ownership of a large product portfolio. This is a senior, autonomous purchasing role. The successful candidate will independently authorize purchases, set and adjust pricing strategy within our repricing platform to remain competitive in the marketplace, manage cross-border shipments into the United States, and perform other duties as described in the advertisement.
Employer Information
Company operating name
LOWE OpCo Inc., operating as "LoweBuys"
Business address
15018 116 Avenue NW, Edmonton, AB, T5M 4E6
Location of work
15018 116 Avenue NW, Edmonton, AB, T5M 4E6
Company phone number
587-460-3247
Terms of Employment
- Employment type - Permanent, full-time
- Employment location - 15018 116 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB, T5M 4E6 (On-site only)
- Hours of work - 37.5 hours per week
- Wage - $37.50 to $39.00 per hour (commensurate with the experience and to be negotiated)
- Start date - As soon as possible
- Health care plan - Yes
- Wellness program - Yes
- Paid time off - Yes
- Language of work - English
- Free parking - available
- Bonus -Discretionary bonus based on performance is available but not guaranteed
- Team building opportunities - Yes
- Travel expenses paid by employer - No
- Positions available - 2
Main Duties and Responsibilities
- Purchase branded consumer merchandise for resale across multiple product categories such as, but not limited to: grocery, health and beauty, pharmacy, lawn and outdoor, home and kitchen, electronics, industrial, safety, building materials and toys & games.
- Take full ownership of an assigned product portfolio of approximately 1,300 active product listings, and be accountable for its revenue, margin, sell-through and return performance.
- Independently authorize and place purchase orders without prior approval, exercising discretion over committed spend (approximately $6,000,000 in annual spend).
- Identify new product opportunities by analyzing marketplace sales data, pricing history and demand patterns, and trace those opportunities back to their manufacturers and authorized distributors.
- Conduct cold outreach to prospective vendors and establish direct wholesale purchasing accounts, including account applications, credit terms and initial pricing negotiation.
- Establish, negotiate and maintain supplier relationships across an active vendor network, including pricing, discount structures, credit terms and freight arrangements.
- Evaluate purchasing opportunities against demand, unit margin, marketplace preparation complexity and shipping density requirements, and decide which opportunities to pursue.
- Set and adjust pricing rules and strategies within the company's algorithmic repricing platform, and monitor competitive pricing pressure across assigned product listings.
- Monitor inventory cover, sales velocity and stock levels, and determine replenishment timing and quantities to prevent both stockouts and overstock situations.
- Prepare and coordinate cross-border shipping documentation for shipments into the United States, including customs clearance paperwork, HTS codes and United States Food and Drug Administration import documentation (FDA).
- Analyze product profitability using cost, marketplace fee, tariff rates, and return-rate data, and discontinue or reprice underperforming products.
- Monitor marketplace policy and compliance changes affecting assigned products and adjust purchasing decisions accordingly.
- Provide guidance and technical direction to junior purchasing staff (1-2 people).
- Develop quarterly purchasing plans for the assigned product portfolio, including forecasting purchase volumes, inventory investment and expected margin contribution, and adjust plans in response to marketplace and sales performance.
- Plan purchasing volume and timing in coordination with warehouse preparation capacity and shipping plan sequencing, including advance planning for peak season volume increases.
- Set and monitor revenue, margin and inventory turnover targets for the assigned portfolio, and report performance against those targets.
- Report to the Director of Purchasing.
- Assist in product development projects to create custom proprietary products from scratch.
- Communicate with customers at times to explain product instructions & resolve issues.
- Visit trade shows, vendor showrooms, manufacturers & other industry events.
- Review budgets & adjust purchase orders to reflect planned expenditures.
- Monitor revenues of specific product assortments.
- Calculate & monitor shipping costs.
- Track shipments, prepare commercial invoices & bills of lading.
- Study marketplace trends to determine consumer demand as it relates to product & purchases.
Skills and Qualifications Required
Education
- Completion of a two-year post-secondary diploma in business, finance, commerce, or a related field.
Experience
- Minimum two (2) years of experience purchasing brand-name merchandise for resale.
- Demonstrated experience purchasing for sale through online marketplaces (Amazon, Walmart, eBay or comparable platforms), including working knowledge of marketplace seller platforms, fee structures and fulfilment programs.
- Demonstrated experience negotiating pricing and terms directly with suppliers, distributors or manufacturers.
- Experience preparing cross-border shipping and customs documentation for shipments into the United States, including HTS code selection.
Skills
- Advanced spreadsheet and data analysis skills, including working with large multi-column data sets to evaluate product and margin performance.
- Experience using algorithmic or rules-based repricing software.
- Working knowledge of product research and marketplace analytics tools (inventory control software) such as Keepa, AZ Insight or Scan Unlimited, or comparable platforms.
- Demonstrated ability to work autonomously and exercise independent judgment over purchasing decisions and committed spend.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Experience with Microsoft tools: Excel, Word & PowerPoint, along with experience with Google G Suite tools
Language
More Information About The Position
- The ideal candidate must be willing to relocate
- Relocation costs not covered by employer
- There will be a criminal record check
- Willingness to travel
- Fast-paced environment
- Work under pressure
- Tight deadlines
- Repetitive tasks
- Attention to detail
- Sitting for long periods of time
- Accurate
- Client focus
- Efficient interpersonal skills
- Flexibility
- Initiative
- Judgement
- Organized
- Team player
- Analytical
How to Apply
Please submit your resume and a brief cover letter to:
Contact name
Lowe Opco Inc., operating as LoweBuys
Email
Rick@lowebuys.ca
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We thank all applicants for their interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
LoweBuys welcomes applications from all qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada. We encourage applications from Indigenous peoples, newcomers to Canada, persons with disabilities, youth, and other groups underrepresented in the labour market.
