Junior Buyer

Company Overview:

Alabaster Co is a leading brand specializing in beautifully designed Bibles and books for the Christian market. We pride ourselves on our hard-working, fast-paced, and innovative culture. Our tight-knit team is dedicated to excellence and driven by a passion for creating meaningful and impactful products.

Role Overview:
We are looking for a proactive and detail-oriented Junior Buyer to join our team. The Junior Buyer will play a critical role in supporting the sourcing, purchasing, and inventory management of products that align with our brand's high-quality standards. This role is ideal for someone who is passionate about the supply chain process, enjoys working with vendors, and has an eye for cost-effective purchasing without compromising on quality.

Responsibilities:

• Assist in identifying, sourcing, evaluating, and managing relationships with vendors and suppliers for products, raw materials, and packaging, ensuring consistent communication and resolving any issues related to orders, quality, or delivery.
• Support the end-to-end purchasing process, including issuing purchase orders, monitoring order status and delivery timelines, ensuring accurate quantities, and managing inventory to meet sales goals without overstocking.
• Collaborate with the product development and design team to understand product needs and specifications, and recommend new materials or products that align with Alabaster Co's design aesthetics and customer expectations.
• Assist in prototype ordering and sample management, ensuring product samples meet the required standards before full production.
• Monitor procurement budgets, identifying opportunities to reduce costs while maintaining product quality.
• Work closely with Creative, Marketing, and Operations teams to align product delivery schedules with upcoming campaigns and launches.
• Help analyze purchasing and sales data to inform decisions on inventory replenishment, product performance, and supplier evaluations.
• Stay updated on industry trends and innovations, proactively seeking opportunities to improve procurement processes, reduce costs, and enhance supplier performance.
• Develop, implement, and maintain demand forecasts based on historical data, market trends, seasonal variations, promotional activities, and sales inputs.
• Collaborate with sales, marketing, and finance teams to ensure forecasts are aligned with business objectives.
• Monitor and manage inventory levels to ensure the right amount of product is available to meet customer demand while minimizing excess stock and associated costs. Adjust forecasts and inventory plans based on actual sales performance and market changes.

Location and Work Environment: Hybrid work model: 2 days in-office per week, remaining days remote.

Initial Engagement: This role will start as a part-time or contract position for the first three months, providing both you and Alabaster Co. with an opportunity to assess fit and performance before transitioning to a full-time role. We value making thoughtful and deliberate hiring decisions, especially as a small team.

Requirements

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with an ability to build and maintain relationships across multiple accounts.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with strong time management skills.
• Basic understanding of sales principles and account management processes.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) or Google Suite.
• Eagerness to learn and grow in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience or internship in sales, account management, or customer service.

Familiarity with e-commerce, distribution, or retail industries.

Benefits

Health Benefits:

• Exceptional health coverage (medical, dental, vision) with 99% of premiums covered by us, starting from your first month.

Retirement Savings:

• A 401(k) plan with a 3% salary contribution from us, enroll after six months.

Stipends & Discounts:

• Enjoy various stipends for work and wellness, and a generous 85% discount on company products.

Generous Time Off:

• Holidays: Enjoy 12 days of holiday leave to relax and celebrate.
• Paid Time Off (PTO): Take advantage of 168 hours of PTO for vacations, personal days, or that much-needed break.
• Sick Leave: We provide 64 hours of sick leave to take care of yourself when you're not feeling your best.

Qualification

Bachelor's Degree