Director of Buying & Planning

Overview

Lead buying, planning, procurement & inventory for big-box retail.

Key Responsibilities

• supply strategy
• retail partnering
• import management
• demand forecasting
• cost optimization
• team leadership

Tasks

We are seeking a strategic and results-driven Senior Supply Chain Manager – Buying & Planning to lead procurement, demand planning, and inventory management operations. This position will oversee a team of buyers, drive vendor relationships, and ensure supply chain alignment with sales, production, and big box retail partners. The ideal candidate has experience managing complex supply chains, negotiating with major suppliers, and optimizing purchasing strategies to meet organizational and customer demands. -Develop and execute supply chain strategies to maintain optimal inventory levels and support production and sales targets. -Partner with big box retail customers (e.g., Walmart, Target) to align supply, inventory, and delivery schedules with customer requirements. -Oversee domestic & overseas import activities and ensure compliance with international shipping and sourcing requirements. -Monitor and analyze sales performance, demand trends, and inventory data to adjust forecasts and procurement plans. -Drive cost optimization initiatives, identifying opportunities for savings while maintaining product quality and service levels. -Report into CFO -Lead and mentor a team of 4–5 buyers, providing guidance on sourcing strategies, negotiations, and vendor management. -Work closely with major retail partners on high-visibility projects. -Collaborate with cross-functional teams (sales, finance, operations, and logistics) to streamline product flow and ensure timely fulfillment. -Manage procurement activities, including sourcing, vendor evaluation, and contract negotiations with suppliers and manufacturers.

Requirements

• erp
• excel
• demand planning
• procurement
• leadership
• bachelor's

What You Bring

-Proven success managing procurement and inventory for big box retailers. -Proficiency in ERP systems, demand planning tools, and Microsoft Excel. -Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities. -Strong communication skills and ability to work across multiple departments. -5+ years of experience in supply chain management, buying, and demand planning; prior experience in a leadership role required. -Strong negotiation and vendor management skills. -Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Finance, or a related field.

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Benefits

-Competitive salary in the range of $150K–$170K, plus benefits. -Opportunity to shape and lead a critical supply chain function.

About Equiliem

-Operates core divisions like Evaluent Talent Solutions and FieldLink, serving sectors from contingent labor to low‑voltage network infrastructure. -Completed high-impact projects in healthcare, government, industrial, energy, professional services, and technology. -Offers contract and direct hire staffing, payroll/EOR, independent contractor compliance, managed services, consulting, and direct sourcing. - relationship-centric model has earned multi-year partnerships, with clients praising their responsiveness during urgent hiring needs. -Combines deep recruiting expertise with tech-driven insights, giving clients market data to inform pay structures and hiring strategies. -Under CEO leadership, has grown from a traditional staffing agency into a multi-division workforce solutions firm.

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