Job Description

Bushnell has been the industry leader in high-performance sports optics for more than 70 years. Our guiding principle is to provide the highest quality, most reliable and affordable sports optics products on the market. Our product lines enhance the enjoyment of every outdoor pursuit from spectator sports, nature study, hunting, fishing and birding to stargazing. Indoors, binoculars bring the audience closer to the action in fast-moving sports or the fine arts at theaters and concerts. Bushnell is the most recognized and reputable sports optics brand in the world.

Our Overland Park, KS location is seeking a Buyer/Inventory Planner to add to our talented team. This position is responsible for the procurement of finished goods and component parts, partnering with vendors to establish capacity-feasible production schedules that meets customer requirements, and for managing day to day vendor performance in accordance with the Company’s established goals.

Responsibilities:

• Purchase assigned finished goods items to ensure supply meets the MRP domestic and global "planned order" requirements. Responsible to ensure product is ready on time at the supplier. Copy the China Logistics roles on PO’s so they can ensure shipments are booked with the appropriate carrier on-time.

• Perform supply analysis in addition to monthly purchasing cycle activities to ensure supply will meet key customer requirements and then act and/or influence others internally and externally as required to resolve variances.

• Ensure international and subsidiary demand is accurately incorporated into monthly purchases.

• Prepare 12-month purchase projections for suppliers.  Whenever these projections show that demand exceeds capacity, partner with suppliers and internal sales team to develop capacity-feasible production schedules that align with customer requirements.

• Responsible for all aspects of order placement and management of vendor production schedules.

• Identify and ensure disconnects such as anticipated product shortages, non-conforming material, excess or obsolete materials are continuously monitored and resolved.

• Manage supplier relationships by clearly communicating expectations and monitor to assure compliance.

• Communicate and resolve vendor performance issues in a timely manner. Coordinate these efforts with the sourcing team.

• When MOQ’s are greater than 12 weeks, Inv. Planners should attempt to reduce them:  

  • Make two strong attempts to negotiate with suppliers and communicate all changes to Sourcing, Product Management and the Director of S & OP.  If the supplier doesn’t respond, engage Sourcing.

  • If improvements are made, get approvals for cost changes from Product Management, Sourcing, Finance, and the Director of S & OP. 

  • If no improvements are made, track all suppliers/product with issues and report monthly to sourcing.

• Pro-actively evaluate SKU’s with MOQ issues to avoid reacting during the buy cycle.  Look three months out to strategically analyze.

• Assist in the development of partnership arrangements with suppliers to develop component inventories, vendor consigned inventories, and appropriate minimum order quantities to reduce inventory ownership and lead times.

• Meet with vendors during visits and provide information regarding vendor performance and priorities.

• Focus to drive down the overall freight expenses, material liability and cost of managing materials.

• Assist in the development of key reports, measurement, and benchmarks to improve purchasing and supplier management processes.  Track vendor performance to key metrics (shipping, PO confirmation, etc.) on a monthly basis and issue reporting.

• Perform analysis to understand revenue/margin impacts of inventory movement

• Maintain PO information within Bushnell systems (including Quantity and Delivery Dates)

• Proactively manage backorders and expedite/prioritize incoming inventory to minimize inventory gaps and meet demand.

• Recommend expedited freight options to minimize inventory gaps and perform revenue/margin impacts to the business to aid in decision making.

• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, purchasing, or manufacturing management related field and/or 1+ years related experience.

• Strong communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

• Strong negotiation skills and ability to work well with teams.

• Strong interpersonal skills.

• Complex math, comprehension of contracts, judgment and decision making.

• Proficient knowledge of written and spoken English is required.

We offer a highly competitive salary, comprehensive benefits including: medical and dental, vision, disability and life insurance, 401K, PTO, tuition reimbursement, gear discounts and the ability to add value to an exciting mission!

Our Postings are not intended for distribution to or use in any jurisdiction, country or territory where such distribution or use would violate local law or would subject us to any regulations in another jurisdiction, country or territory. We reserve the right to limit our Postings in any jurisdiction, country or territory.

Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Females/Protected Veteran/Disabled

At this time, Vista Outdoor is closely monitoring the developments on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) COVID-19 workplace rule regarding COVID-19 vaccination or testing. You will not be asked any questions regarding these items during application.