Wild Things, LLC provides highly engineered technical outdoor clothing and gear tailored for the rigorous performance requirements of those individuals involved in military operations and law enforcement. Our products are currently in the field with every branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. We are a growing company under new ownership and looking to build out the team with talented and hard-working individuals looking for a career that passionately supports the military end users that protect our freedoms.

We look forward to seeing your application!

Position Title: Buyer / Planning Manager

Reports To: VP Operations

Classification: Exempt – Full Time

Location: Middletown, Rhode Island; may consider Virginia Beach area applicants with significant purchasing and planning experience

Summary:

Responsible for the purchase and supply chain management of the raw materials and outsourced labor required to meet customer order requirements and/or forecasted demand in accordance with established company policies and procedures. Responsible for the timely ordering and delivery of materials and establishing and maintaining good company/vendor relationships. Support the VP of Operations in managing levels of finished, work-in-process and raw inventory in accordance with company and department goals and objectives.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Plans material requirements for specific products, including internal or externally manufactured end items and purchased items predicated on customer orders and forecasted demand.

• Purchases products in accordance with established company policies and procedures including seeking bids, screening potential vendors, submitting specifications to ensure lowest possible price and highest quality.

• Ensures the timely delivery of product as required to support the current production plan. Arranges delivery and mode of transportation in accordance with schedule requirements. Develops and monitors purchase orders with vendors based on ERP requirements and terms.

• Works with vendors, customers and freight forwarders to ensure proper paperwork, packaging and labeling requirements are met for drop ship orders.

• Develops and implements corrective action required to address late shipments, short shipments, etc.

• Assists in the resolution of rejected material, in-house and vendor supplied, as well as clearing receipts through incoming inspection.

• Advises management, sales and product team of all price increases and reductions. Assists with all vendor price negotiations as required.

• Maintains professional working relationship with suppliers. Establishes and maintains good company/vendor/subcontractor relationships and encourages new methods of production to foster cost reductions. Ensures that relationship creates a no conflict-of-interest situation.

• Supports VP of Operations with issuance of manufacturing orders to production facility and/or subcontractors to meet finished goods inventory requirements. Includes the development of job and production schedule paperwork as well as material pick lists and floor stock replenishment reports.

• Responsible for continual review/follow-up of in process manufacturing work orders to ensure adherence to established schedules. Expedites operations that delay schedules and alters schedules to meet unforeseen conditions. Works with operations, sales and product teams to identify priorities.

• Advises Sales Department of any extensions of estimated completion dates.

• Manages levels of finished, work-in-process and raw inventory in accordance with established company and departmental goals and objectives.

• Maintains the ERP database relative to lead times, minimum, maximum and multiple order quantities, price break quantities, analysts, and product line codes, etc., for each assigned product line.

• Authorizes invoices for payment.

• Work closely with Product to understand product specifications and manufacturing intent as new products are developed.

• Work closely with the Product team to ensure smooth hand-off as the products move from development to production.

• Participates in physical inventories, as required.

• Proactively seek opportunities to improve processes and identify areas of improvement and cost reductions.

• Other duties, as assigned

Required Experience / Skills:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Logistics & Materials, Supply Chain or Operations & Supply Management. May accept experience in lieu of degree.

• Minimum 3 years’ experience as a Buyer/Planner, coordinating purchases and deliveries with vendors, establishing alternate supply sources, negotiating price, quality and delivery terms, determining production requirements and applications, planning material requirements and forecasting and maintaining inventory levels for onsite and multiple off shore facilities.

• Experience with textiles and soft goods (apparel, packs, accessories) highly preferred.

• Strong track record of ability to communicate along all levels of the supply chain.

• Exceptional Project Management and Organizational Skills

• Effective communication skills, including excellent oral and written skills.

• Analytical thinker, problem solver and team player with the ability to multi-task several priorities simultaneously

• Ability to focus on the big picture, yet very attentive to details

• Self-motivated, proactive and driven to succeed

• Must be able to handle multiple priorities and re-prioritize as needed.

• Advanced Microsoft Office skills, especially Excel.

• ERP system experience required; A2000 experience preferred.

• Willingness to handle ad hoc projects, as needed

• Position Type – Full-Time/Regular

Travel Requirements:  Estimate 5-20%

Physical Requirements:

• Majority of time at computer sitting at desk, on phone, walking within offices.

• Occasionally may be asked to visit 3PL warehouse to organize raw material kits in preparation for dissemination to cut/sew subcontractors,  review receiving or quality issues or participate in periodic physical inventories.

• Occasionally may be asked to visit subcontractor locations to review production schedules, top of production samples, quality issues or defects or retrieve/deliver samples.

Work Environment:

Casual work environment.

Wild Things is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, Veteran or disability status.

Send resume with cover letter to amy@wildthingsgear.com.