Buyer

Company Overview

EPS Learning is a leading K–12 supplemental literacy and math curriculum company. Its suite of solutions includes many well-known, trusted and proven products like SPIREⓇ, Explode The CodeⓇ and Wordly WiseⓇ. The company recently took on a private equity partner committed to product and go-to-market investments that will position the company for explosive growth over the coming years. We are looking for candidates who want to be part of addressing one of our nation’s most critical challenges. Fewer than a third of all students can read proficiently. Reading ability is a key driver of equity since only 20% of Hispanic students, and 16% of Black students can read proficiently by 4th grade. You will be joining a high-paced, creative and fun team dedicated to making a difference in children’s lives and driving equity across our nation’s public schools.

Position Summary

The Buyer position at EPS Learning is responsible for managing material spend, inventory levels, and procurement activities to align with corporate goals. This role involves analyzing material usage, demand planning, and optimizing supplier performance while identifying cost-saving opportunities. Key duties include collaborating on forecasting, negotiating contracts, managing vendor relationships, and ensuring timely order fulfillment. The ideal candidate has at least 5 years of procurement experience, strong analytical skills, and proficiency in Microsoft Excel and ERP systems. The role also requires adaptability, strategic thinking, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Plans, analyzes, and executes daily and seasonal procurement activities to deliver product to customers complete and on time in alignment with company goals and objectives.
• Analyzes, collaborates, and supplies ongoing feedback and recommendations on demand plan/forecast/MRP based on trend analysis, product and business knowledge, and business supplied intel.
• Ongoing management of supplier base to optimize product sourcing, vendor performance, vendor consolidation, and cost saving opportunities.
• Identifies opportunities, executes, and reports annualized cost savings efforts.
• Strategizes and proposes opportunities for improvement to gain efficiencies and cost savings to support inventory objectives and order fulfillment goals.
• Directly interacts with finance to resolve discrepancies, understand inventory and buying strategies, and work through audit activities.
• Engages with vendors to expedite and manage requirements based on customer and business needs.
• Works directly with 3rd party warehouse regarding all inventory related tasks, including inbounding freight, prioritizing, transportation, inventory and receipt discrepancies, etc.
• Participates in contractual negotiations.
• Tracks, manages and reports established contractual obligations.
• Engages in resolving differences with suppliers and internal/3rd party warehouse stakeholders while objectively weighing the needs and expectations of all parties.
• Maintains purchase order accuracy.
• Maintains an ongoing awareness of competition, industry trends and best practices.
  
  

Qualifications

• 5 years related procurement experience required, bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Prior experience managing inventory and analyzing MRP/demand plan.
• Print commodity buying experience a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to identify profit and process opportunities and drives towards solution and implementation.
• Ability to research and analyze large and complex sets of data, prepare documentation and clearly articulate findings and recommendations to supply chain leadership.
• Negotiation experience preferred with the ability to effectively balance both short and long term financial and strategic objectives.
• Evidence of self-led continuous improvement while readily supporting change and the ability to adapt to daily challenges and larger one-off change events
• Proficient Microsoft Office skills with an emphasis in Excel (the ability to use formulas and build pivot tables a must).
• Experience in one or more platforms related to planning, procurement, forecasting, transportation or warehouse management a plus.
• Strong sense of personal accountability. Effectively prioritizes and budgets time and aligns related resources to complete assignments and tasks on schedule.
• Demonstrated success in a team oriented, collaborative environment.
• NetSuite ERP, MRP/Demand Plan experience.
  
  

Benefits and Perks

• We offer a competitive compensation package based on various factors including but not limited to qualifications, skills, competencies, location, and experience.
• Other rewards may include an annual bonus or commission, a 401(k) retirement plan with employer match, medical, dental, and vision insurance effective day 1, generous PTO and paid holidays, and employer paid life and short & long term disability insurance.
• We provided you with a laptop for your home office and a flexible remote-first work culture.
  
  

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. Our organization is dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply! You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles. Please be sure to attach your resume. Applications without an attached resume will be considered incomplete. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.