Job Description

The Manager, Purchasing role is responsible for working with the Director of Retail Operations on the overall buying strategy. The primary role of this position is to ensure EAA and aviation centric procurement and planning, vendor sourcing and purchasing processes required to support the Retail Operations at EAA. This role will also oversee the visual merchandising of product and displays in the Barnstormer Boutique, AirVenture locations and other EAA interests/venues.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Work closely with the Director of Retail Operations to develop and implement the overall buying strategy, planning, and execution of merchandise in concert with broader organizational strategies and business objectives.
2. Analyze and monitor market trends and sales results to develop the buying strategy. Collaborate with program areas throughout the organization, which includes the EAA Retail Committee members, to identify needs and opportunities for merchandise sales. Seek merchandise feedback from customers and members.
3. Conduct regular meetings with the EAA Retail Committee members and seek impute on design ideas, styles and trends as it pertains to EAA members and aviation merchandise.
4. Attend trade shows, meet new suppliers, negotiate terms of contract. Source new merchandise and review existing to ensure products remain competitive to maximize profits and provide a viable range at competitive prices.
5. Collaborate with Director of Retail Operations and EAA legal team in negotiating terms of contracts with vendors.
6. Analyze financial objectives by establishing inventory budgets, margin, and open-to-buy.
7. Provide leadership to the buying staff, including setting goals, performance appraisals, and professional development.
8. Project Manager assigned to develop and implement grocery store strategy. Partner with Buyer and Gift Shop Manager on project.
9. Collaborate with E-Commerce Manager on presentation of merchandise on EAA.org as well as in the Barnstormer Boutique.
10. Collaborate with other aviation companies to source and design wholesale merchandise.
11. Collaborate with Retail Operations team and Marketing to maximize effectiveness of promotional efforts.
12. Develop and maintain the annual buying and merchandising calendar.
13. Create related purchase orders and other documentation to support retail sales per procedural requirements.
14. Ability to input accurate purchase orders, merchandise requisitions and merchandise splits.
15. Coordinate buying plan with fixture fill and planograms for AirVenture.
16. Monitor and report on merchandise performance: sell-through, open to buy, merchandise turn and average inventory.
17. Oversee special projects from other departments within the organization and confer with the Retail Operations team to review status of assigned projects and proper allocation of resources.
18. Work closely with receiving and accounts payable to resolve receipt and/or invoice matching issues.
19. Embraces and supports the mission of EAA while adhering to safety practices in both the workplace and aviation environment.
20. All other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• This position requires a Bachelor’s degree in Business or other applicable field.
• 5-7 years’ experience as a Buyer with a strong procurement track record.
• Minimum of 5 years customer service, sales, and data entry experience.
• Proven leadership experience with ability to see the “big picture” and respond appropriately through completed projects.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to initiate and develop relationships with others as a key priority.
• Strong attention to detail and organization skills.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software to prepare spreadsheets to capture numerical/other informational data.
• Ability to travel up to 5% of the time.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Typical office setting. Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Preparation for AirVenture or other events may require lifting up to 50 lbs. occasionally, standing and walking for extended periods of time while bending, squatting, kneeling, twisting, and push and pull motions.

EEO STATEMENT

EAA 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.