Inventory/Purchasing Lead

PLANTFUSION OVERVIEW:

PlantFusion is a plant-based Nutrition brand primarily sold in the natural products retail channel and on Amazon. The core products are plant-based nutritional powders and supplements. The founder repurchased the brand from investor partners in 2021 with the goal of growing the brand and returning it to a role as a category leader. 

The transformation initiatives focus on introducing innovative products that improve health and wellness along with best-in-class marketing tactics.  The transformation includes enhancing the talent and performance expectations of the team. 

PlantFusion fosters an entrepreneurial culture that also embraces the best practices of larger enterprise organizations.  The founder is looking for individuals who embrace the challenge and opportunity to make a personal impact with healthy products, fostering personal and professional growth and making an impact in the community.       

At PlantFusion we are obsessed with offering authentic, 100% plant-based, nutrient-dense products that delight the senses.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Just like our products, which consist of the finest ingredients, we are looking for the finest talent, someone who is intrinsically curious, passionate about healthy nutrition, and possesses a ‘Getting-Things-Done’ mindset. We are hiring a talented Inventory/Purchasing Lead individual to join our team. If you're excited to be part of a winning team, PlantFusion is a great place to grow your career. This position will be responsible for coordinating and supporting all aspects of the inventory management system, maintaining accurate timely inventory and managing purchasing data.  The ideal candidate will possess a strong inventory background, attention to detail, a high degree of adaptability, and work well in a fast-paced evolving environment. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 

Inventory Management

• Daily inventory transactions, including shipping, adjustments, and receipt of shipments
• Inventory decisions regarding the appropriate distribution facilities (One Source, Reliance, and AMZ) and the different sales channels
• Management of Lot #'s and expiration dates, and all communication in ensuring FIFO is used  
• Negotiating with manufacturers, suppliers, and warehousing partners to determine the best way to uniquely identify products (e.g. stickers on caps or hang tags)
• Generating reports as needed for purchasing, inventory management, and related KPI reporting
• Month-end reconciliations between warehouses and ERP inventory reports

Amazon Inventory

• Working closely with our Amazon team to optimize inventory levels in our Amazon warehouses. 
• Continuous communication with our main warehouse about stock available, lot numbers, and all other information needed to schedule Amazon bi-weekly orders and execution
• Develop and maintain a deep knowledge of Amazon Seller Central and the use of its tools to aid in decision-making on which warehouses to ship into
• Troubleshooting with AMZ on issues regarding delays, warehouse space, and other misc. issues

Purchasing

• Managing all aspects of purchase orders, from analysis of existing inventory levels, placement of POs, receipt of shipment, and all intermediate steps required to ensure timely delivery from the supplier. Interfacing with warehousing and shipping partners as needed to ensure orders are being processed optimally
• Managing all packaging and related components for the above-referenced products
• Managing and executing the needs for all documentation related to supplier relations, including but not limited to shipping, quality, and insurance; Primarily BOL’s and C of A’s
• Executing set up of all new products or components in the inventory system and management of existing items
• Sourcing and managing inventory for unique items such as swag and unique marketing components (VIP boxes)

Miscellaneous

• Coordinating the production, printing, and application of “transparency stickers” for AMZ, 3rd party operations and selling teams
• Coordinating all packaging components needs including tracking inventory, costing, ordering, and shipping to CM's
• Ensure retained samples are taken, stored, and organized for easy tracking from each lot of product shipped in
• Drive any future routine requirements established by management for sending products to 3rd part labs for testing and tracking of results  

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:

This position will report to Heather Howitt, our Controller.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• 5 years of experience in an inventory management role
• Specific experience with Amazon Seller Central and related aspects of managing and optimizing inventory at Amazon.
• Very skilled in computer software systems including MS Office and MS Excel along with working knowledge of Microsoft Office products
• Ability to work with a nimble and energetic team and independently as needed
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with a dedication to customer satisfaction and overall process improvement
• Excellent time management and organizational skills with the ability to multitask and prioritize

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND TRAITS:

• A strong interest in a healthy lifestyle, nutrition, and mental and physical well-being
• “Life learner” mentality and an intrinsically curious personality.
• A preference for an agile and entrepreneurial culture with an appreciation of “enterprise” practices. 
• Strong analytical skills and the desire to work in the details. 
• Strong judgment that balances independent decision-making with when to seek input. 
• Deadline-conscious with the ability to meet deadlines in a time-sensitive environment.
• Schedule flexibility needed during peak periods.
• Must be a highly motivated and adaptive problem solver who evaluates alternatives to arrive at the optimal solution.
• The curiosity necessary to optimize any operating system that is utilized. 
• Strong written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.

OPTIMAL EXPECTATIONS:

Six months into this position the individual will have lifted all responsibilities of inventory management from the PF team and be recommending solutions for problems and issues (vs just sharing the problem). They will be actively assisting the Controller in reducing operational costs and optimizing inventory levels that balance inventory levels that mitigate stocks and at the same time optimize cash flow.  The individual will embrace the core values of the organization by approaching the day with a sense of urgency and accountability (both individually and peer-to-peer) while taking the initiative to drive continuous improvement through clear, concise, and consistent communication.  A key indicator of success will be the ability to ensure the business has accurate data in which to make key business decisions regarding our largest asset, inventory.