Zones LLC. Careers

As a rapidly growing global provider of IT solutions, we’ve expanded from Seattle to Sydney and beyond – with reach in over 80 countries around the world. Today’s top brands count on Zones and our world-class partners – Microsoft, Apple, Cisco, Dell, Lenovo, and more – to transform their enterprises. To support this transformation, Zones offers products and services across four Solution Environments: Workplace Modernization, Network Optimization, Data Center Transformation, and Security Fortification.

At Zones, work is more than a job – it's an exciting career immersed in an inventive, collaborative culture. If you’re interested in working on the cutting edge of IT innovation, sales, engineering, operations, administration, and more, Zones is the place for you!

Position Overview

The Buyer will be responsible for developing and executing a spend management program (cradle to grave) for assigned categories and brands to ensure maximum value is achieved. The Buyer will optimize inventory levels while minimizing risk of aged/obsolete product. The Buyer will provide expertise to internal customers on purchasing options, pricing negotiations, inventory management, expediting, tracking, follow up and supplier management of orders. The buyer will be responsible for training and management oversight of associate buyers and brand pricing/program specialist

Key Responsibilities

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

The Buyer I is primarily responsible for:

• Negotiate with suppliers/vendors to secure the best overall price considering (price, availability, payment terms, shipping, return privileges, timely delivery, etc.)
• Manage inventory to ensure product availability while minimizing risk of aging inventory and obsolescence on stocked items
• Provide thought leadership to sales/customer organizations on purchasing and inventory management
• Manage execution of POs to suppliers based on demand, cycle time, location, availability and price
• Collaborate with distributors and manufacturers to establish and attain the goals and directives of each category, and in forecasting inventory requirements by warehouse location
• Provide overall spend management (cradle to grave) for assigned book of business
• Identify and execute cost savings (TCO initiatives) for assigned book
• Develop, engage and maintain alternate sources for constrained and allocated products
• Maintain strong inter-departmental relationships to help facilitate achievement of assigned goals
• Communicate professionally and build relationships with manufacturers, suppliers and other external sources
• Maintain proficiency in category/manufacturer terminology and technology
• Management of others under the immediate area of responsibility which may include associate buyers, pricing and brand pricing/program specialist that may be local or in other physical locations in and out of country.

We are seeking candidates with the following experience and skills:

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in business administration, purchasing, logistics, supply chain management, or related field

Required Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in business administration, purchasing, logistics, supply chain management, or related field
• 2+ years required of direct or related industry experience
• Candidate should have general understanding of information technology and other electronics products and associated terminology 
• Sharp negotiation and decision-making skills
• Possess excellent oral and written communication skills, ability to interact well with groups, a strong customer service orientation, and the ability to manage multiple tasks with little supervision 
• Must work with a sense of urgency and excel in a dynamic, fast-paced growth environment 
• Intermediate or advanced computer skills, experience and proficiency with MS Word, Office and Excel are required, and knowledge of Access is preferred

Metrics Measurement:

• Cost management through sourcing cost reductions, rebates, extended payment terms, distribution warehousing, ship on demand order placement and distributor/mfr. program utilization
• Product availability management of instock %, turns, mix and alternate sourcing
• Ordering efficiencies measured by purchase order cycle times and delivery timing
• Ordering accuracy, entry errors, CRM cases, vendor errors and end user receiving errors as a result of ordering and order fulfillment

While we’re committed to providing top-tier solutions, we’re just as committed to supporting our own team. Our employees enjoy a variety of comprehensive benefits, including medical/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, a 401(k) plan with matching provision, paid time off, and much more. And as a Minority Business Enterprise, a Corporate Plus member of the Northwest Minority Supplier Development Council, and an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, our community is just as diverse.

At Zones, work is more than a job – it's an exciting career immersed in an inventive, collaborative culture. If you’re interested in working on the cutting edge of IT innovation, sales, engineering, operations, administration, and more, Zones is the place for you!