Empire Merchants North is the premier wine and spirits distributor in Upstate New York with roots going back to the end of Prohibition. With more than 500 dedicated employees and state-of-the-art facilities, Empire Merchants North has become synonymous with both service and quality and has earned the loyalty of more than 9,000 area restaurants, bars, hotels, nightclubs, and retail outlets. Empire Merchants North acts as a marketing agent for the brands that we represent and is proud to employ the most knowledgeable and well-equipped sales force in Upstate New York.

We are seeking an experienced, motivated Director of Purchasing.

The Director of Purchasing is responsible for planning, directing, and overseeing all purchasing, forecasting, and inventory management activities to ensure optimal inventory levels, cost efficiency, and compliance with corporate, contractual, and legal requirements. This role leads the Purchasing Department, drives cross-functional collaboration, and ensures alignment between Sales, Marketing, Operations, and Finance to meet business objectives.

ESSENTIAL POSITION RESULTS

· Provides a 12-month trend forecast by warehouse.

· Make recommended adjustments to forecast and inventory targets based on changes in demand and market trends.

· Leads forecast and inventory planning meetings with Marketing & Business Managers, reviewing recommended sales forecasts and inventory goals (emphasis on brand transitions, new product introduction, promotions, vintages, combos, long inventory, and discontinued items).

· Prepares demand reports, creates policies and procedures to increase accuracy, organizes and analyzes reports, and communicates with other departments to ensure accurate forecasts.

· Performs cost assumptions reviewed monthly.

· Manage inventory targets (including safety stock levels) that are approved by management.

· Monitor and disseminate SKU levels and item ETA’s.

· Prepare, report, and communicate forecast and inventory measurements to management (forecast accuracy, inventory plan vs. targets).

· Designs and generates weekly and monthly statistical forecast reports.

· Relates and measures the impact of forecast accuracy.

· Conduct current and future forecasting analysis, ensuring forecasting processes and methods are followed.

· Establish and utilize best methods in creating forecasts and respective inventory targets.

· Assemble and analyze all data pertinent to creating the sales forecast (historical sales, market trends, seasonality, promotions, and inventory levels).

· Proactively facilitating and re-engineering best practices and consensus between functional experts (Demand Planning, Inventory Planning, Purchasing, Sales & Marketing, Operations, Finance, and IT).

· Manage planning and organization by maintaining and reviewing various metrics and reviewing and updating relevant processes on a regular basis.

· Prepare reports by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing information and trends.

· Reviews inventory issues with Trade Development and Sales on a regular basis.

· Lead, train, and evaluate Purchasing team members, ensuring high performance and professional development.

· Maintains relationship with combo co-packer(s), relays sales history and provide forecasting to allow correct seasonal staffing. Acts as liaison between co-packer and EMN Business Management to assist with their AR.

· Maintain freight costs and provide freight cost projections to EMN Business Management to allow accurate gross profit structures.

· Provide monthly inventory, demurrage and detention charges, subcontractor freight and pallet expense information based on historical to EMN Finance as part of annual budget build.

· Maintains a safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules and regulations.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Directly manages the Purchasing Department, including Purchasing Agents and support staff. Responsible for training, performance management, and career development of team members.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Empire Merchants North offers a competitive compensation package including:

• Salary Range: $75,000 - $100,000 and annual bonus potential
• Paid Holidays, Health Plan options (medical, dental, disability coverage, life insurance, and other voluntary plans), 401K, PTO, vacation accrual, Flexible Spending Account, and more.
• The company will evaluate a specific candidate's education, skills, and experience when making an offer.

QUALIFICATIONS
Education, Certifications and/or licenses:

Education:
• Bachelor’s degree preferred (Business, Finance, Supply Chain, or related fields)

Experience:
• Minimum 5 years of experience in purchasing, supply chain, or logistics.
• Wine & spirits industry experience a plus.

Knowledge/Skills:
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills.
• Advanced analytical and forecasting capabilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Computer proficiency (SAP preferred / EXCEL)
• Strong organizational and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to lead process improvement initiatives and manage change effectively.

Empire Merchants North is an equal opportunity employer and, as such, affirms in policy and practice to recruit, hire, train, and promote, in all job classifications, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship, sex, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic. Empire Merchants North will not discriminate against persons because of their disability, including disabled veterans, and will make reasonable accommodations for known physical or mental limitations of qualified employees and applicants with disabilities.

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