Hardware Buyer - Lumbermens Merchandising Corporation

LMC is a leading buying group for a network of independent building material companies across the US. As their buying group, LMC negotiates and facilitates procurement opportunities for the most desired brands in the lumber and building materials industry. We also work to provide operational support with focus on logistics, capital equipment, technology, and marketing. By leveraging the billion dollar buying power of our members, LMC ensures our members have a competitive edge to capture more of their local market share.

The Hardware Buyer interacts with LMC's members regarding their program requirements. The incumbent identifies the best source to obtain the products and/or services, negotiating an optimal price while providing high quality customer service to the member. The Buyer is responsible to ensure the purchase is made to the specifications of the member. This position supports LMC's members with purchasing needs and is authorized to negotiate price and program enhancements with approved vendor sources. The Buyer is responsible to increase share of the member’s business regarding their vendor program responsibility. This position requires work in our office Monday through Thursday, with the option to work remotely on Fridays, as well as the first Monday of each month.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• The Hardware Buyer engages our members with supplier programs, and fosters business growth opportunities between them.
• Provide the highest level of support and customer service to each member/customer and solves member problems in a timely manner.
• Ensure the satisfaction of the member/customer by actively and aggressively pursuing their purchases.
• Negotiate and manage his/her product categories with applicable vendors.
• Contact members and promote programs and special offers designed to provide the best combination of price, quality and product availability.
• Maintain good relationships with the supplier base, striving for high level vendor connections on a key vendor lines.
• Identify suppliers to obtain competitive programs based on the member’s requirements and knowledge of suppliers that are a best match with the member’s requirements.
• Establish and maintain good relations with key supplier partners.
• Maintain frequent contact with members to ensure orders are accurately expedited and timely delivery is made.
• Develop and maintain knowledge of all lines within area of responsibility and create a strategic plan to sell each product grouping.
• Maintain current market knowledge of new products and developments in the field and ensures members are informed.
• Regularly connect with Regional Managers to provide consistent communication regarding member issues, including sales updates.
• Maintain complete and accurate documentation for all quotations, orders, claims and any other significant transactions.
• Promote and maintain optimal purchasing programs designed to provide the best possible combination of quality and product availability at the best price.
• Provide timely prevailing market conditions and analysis, trends, prices and other appropriate information to ensure purchases are at the optimal price points and least cost.
• Negotiate competitive pricing while meeting the customer’s inventory requirements.
• Keep Purchasing Manager informed of the status of projects and purchasing/sales activities.
• Perform all other duties as required and/or assigned.

Qualifications:

• Ideal candidate will possess a working knowledge of residential & commercial hardware applications. (5+ years’ experience a plus.)
  • Examples: residential & commercial locks, deadbolts, hinges, thresholds, seals, door closers, panic bars, exit devices and builders hardware. 
  • Door and Hardware Institute® (DHI) certifications / credentials is also a plus.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent industry experience is required.
• Previous purchasing or sales experience is preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Able to build and maintain strong working relationships with internal and external customers.
• Exceptional problem solving and analytical skills.
• Working knowledge of MS Office products including Word and Excel.