Category Buyer

Burton Mill Solutions

$65K — $100K *
Business Services
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-7 years of experience in procurement or supply chain management
  • Strong attention to detail and ability to manage complex SKU portfolios
  • Demonstrated experience in supplier relationship management, particularly in Asia
  • Proficient in full lifecycle management of purchase orders and inventory
  • Knowledge of international logistics and importing processes
  • Exceptional communication and negotiation skills
  • Proactive problem-solving capabilities

Responsibilities

  • Manage complex SKU portfolios to ensure accuracy and eliminate duplication
  • Oversee the full lifecycle management of purchase orders including blanket orders
  • Maintain clear communication with suppliers regarding delivery timing and constraints
  • Analyze demand patterns to establish optimal inventory targets
  • Evaluate freight decisions based on urgency and cost effectiveness
  • Build and maintain supplier relationships while navigating cultural differences
  • Communicate future demand signals to ensure supply readiness

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents effective from the 1st of the month following hire
  • Up to $300 per year wellness activity reimbursement
  • RRSP with 100% employer match up to 3% and additional 50% match on the next 2%
  • Up to 3 weeks of PTO accrued per year with immediate access to accrued time
Full Job Description
Position Summary

The Category Buyer is responsible for managing and optimizing assigned spend categories, including the procurement of materials, products, and services for both resale and manufacturing. This role serves as a critical link between internal stakeholders and global suppliers, while driving cost efficiency, supply security, and operational accuracy.

The ideal candidate brings strong attention to detail, the ability to manage complexity, and a proactive, ownership-driven mindset.

Key Responsibilities

Category & Supplier Management

  • Manage a large, complex SKU portfolio with thousands of active items, ensuring accuracy and eliminating duplication
  • Work within highly technical product categories with multiple variants and specifications
  • Build and manage supplier relationships, primarily across Asia, including navigating time zones and cultural differences
  • Identify opportunities to reduce total cost of ownership and improve supply continuity


Procurement & Purchase Orders

  • Oversee full lifecycle management of purchase orders, including blanket orders and long-term supply strategies
  • Verify order acknowledgments and pricing accuracy
  • Maintain clear communication with suppliers and internal stakeholders regarding delivery timing and constraints
  • Create and maintain Item Masters and vendor pricing agreements


Inventory & Demand Planning

  • Maintain inventory levels aligned with business needs, balancing customer service and cost
  • Analyze demand patterns, lead times, and risk to establish inventory targets
  • Communicate future demand signals to suppliers to ensure supply readiness and efficiency


International Logistics & Imports

  • Evaluate air vs. ocean freight decisions based on urgency, cost, and inventory position
  • Oversee end-to-end import processes from Asia, including documentation, HTS classification guidance, and coordination with freight forwarders and customs brokers


Success Profile

This role requires a professional who can build credibility quickly and influence cross-functional teams. Success depends on responsiveness, proactive problem-solving, and the ability to drive both immediate results and long-term process improvements.

Core Competencies

  • Communication: Strong alignment and clarity with stakeholders
  • Negotiation: Balances supplier and company objectives for optimal outcomes
  • Ownership Mindset: Takes initiative and accountability for results
  • Attention to Detail: High accuracy and precision in all work
  • Proactive Approach: Anticipates needs and prepares in advance
  • Critical Thinking: Breaks down complex challenges and makes informed decisions
  • Problem Solving: Identifies root causes and delivers practical solutions


Salary Range: $65-100k DOE

Benefits

Burton Mill Solutions offers a competitive benefits package, including:

Our Benefits:

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance available to employees and their dependents on the 1st of month following date of hire
  • Up to $300 per year in wellness activity reimbursement
  • RRSP with 100% employer match up to 3% of employee contribution, plus 50% employer match on next 2% of employee contribution, for a total employer match of up to 4%.
  • Up to 3 weeks of Paid Time Off (PTO) accrued per year with no waiting period to use accrued time

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