Fabric Buyer

Local Hybrid or Remote / Full Time / Vancouver, WA

This position is not eligible for sponsorship or approved for third-party recruiters.

The Challenge and The Opportunity

As a Fabric Buyer at Local Crafts Group, you'll be at the forefront of planning, buying, and merchandising decisions that directly shape our product offerings and market presence. This role offers the exciting challenge of strategically managing inventory across multiple sales channels, optimizing assortments, and ensuring timely product availability for our diverse customer base. You'll collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to translate business goals into smart purchasing decisions while analyzing data to identify trends and opportunities that drive profitability. It's a unique opportunity to blend creativity with strategy, impacting both our product success and customer experience.

Responsibilities 

• Enter and maintain data regarding new products into inventory management systems and perform item maintenance (i.e. discontinuing, closeout, sales, clearance and kit ordering).
• Manage sale price of items based on promotional activity, sales channel and closeout status.
• Coordinate barcode, UPC and ISBN labels and other artwork for vendors.
• Manage open purchase orders on a weekly basis; follow up on unconfirmed orders; track orders that have not yet arrived and notify customer service and brand teams when there are material delays.
• Manage inventory demand for multiple channels where applicable including DtC, distributor, wholesale, Amazon, and trade shows.
• Manage drop ship orders when applicable and communicate status with Customer Service department and vendors.
• Weekly/monthly reporting (cash flow, inventory performance, sale performance).
• Work with receiving team at warehouse, shippers, freight forwarders, and vendors to track incoming shipments including full, partial, undelivered and missing orders. Includes tasking assignments and international document organization.
• True up invoices with receipts to ensure everything ties out for accounting.  Communicate with vendors regarding quality issues and manage returns.  Communicate payment details to vendors where applicable.
• Proof catalog & marketing emails for correct inventory item information, and make necessary buys to support them.
• Assist with product development for brand and merchandising teams for optimizing assortments.
• Partner closely with cross functional teams to translate strategies into buys, create/analyze reporting to identify and propose new ideas that drive the business &/or improve efficiency.
• Create and pull ad hoc reports as needed across systems and manipulate data to address business needs.
• Performs other duties, special projects and functions as necessary or as assigned.

The Team

Our team consists of over 130 members located across the United States. With a shared commitment and passion for innovation, we value user-friendly designs and outstanding quality. Every day, we are dedicated to designing, creating, manufacturing, and delivering craft products to our enthusiastic makers worldwide.

The Company

Local Crafts Group (formerly Premier Needle Arts (PNA)), is a portfolio company of well-known consumer brands: Connecting Threads, Knit Picks, Superior Threads, Berroco and Crochet.com. Our approach is hands-on, and our priority is to provide fabrics, threads, yarns, and tools that align with our customers' preferences while maintaining exceptional quality.

Our products are available through various channels, including our dedicated consumer websites, Amazon, wholesale distributors, local retail partners, and consumer shows. Local Crafts Group is headquartered in Vancouver, WA and is part of the Blue Point Capital Partners family.

As an equal opportunity employer, Local Crafts Group is dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment. We value each team member, empowering them to reach their full potential. We are committed to creating an inclusive atmosphere for all employees. Join us in inspiring a love for creativity among our customers. 

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Management, Business Management or a related field.
• 2-4 yrs. minimum work experience in inventory planning, merchandising or buying required.
• Self-starter with excellent organizational and time management skills and the ability to quickly re-prioritize while still meeting deadlines.
• Exceptional problem solving and analytical skills with proven ability to transform findings into action plans and solutions.
• Advanced verbal and written communication skills including presentation, persuasion, and negotiation skills, and be able to remain calm and courteous under pressure.
• Flexible and works well in rapidly changing environment.
• Skilled at synthesizing large amounts of data into conclusions and recommendations.
• Proven history of building strong working relationships with business partners.
• Ability to work independently and with teams interchangeably to deliver results.
• Intermediate in Microsoft Excel with the ability to master new and available technical applications.
• Experience with PowerBI, Tableau, Sage, Response &/or Cagdev a plus.
• Fabric buying experience a bonus.

We will require you to perform a short skills assessment.

Compensation:

We provide a competitive compensation and benefits package. Pay rates are based on your skills, experience and location; bonus opportunities are based on both company and individual performance.

The starting annual salary is:

$65,000 - $75,000 per year

Candidates from different locations within the United States may receive varying salary offers.

We also offer a generous benefits package, including: 

• Multiple medical, dental and vision plan options after 30 days (with company contributions to the premium costs). 
• Healthcare Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts. 
• Company-paid Life, AD&D, Short Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, and worldwide travel assistance benefits. 
• Voluntary life and income replacement plans. 
• Robust Employee Assistance Program that includes counseling, legal, financial and health advocacy services. 
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with Employer Match. 
• Generous paid time off and holiday pay policies. 
• Employee discounts at all Local Crafts Group companies!