Title: Purchasing Analyst
Location: St. Cloud, MN
Job Type: Permanent
Compensation: $65,000 - $75,000 + Bonus Opportunity
Industry: Manufacturing

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About the Role
We are partnering with a rapidly growing manufacturer of feature-rich, specialty LED lighting and controls to find a Purchasing Analyst for their St. Cloud, MN operation. Our client serves the commercial, specification, and national account distribution markets, and recently became part of a larger global lighting organizationexpanding their supply chain reach across Asia, Europe, and North America.
This is a high-impact, hands-on role for a numbers-driven professional who thrives on cost savings, disciplined sourcing, and keeping inventory flowing at the right levels. You'll work closely with the Operations Manager and a global vendor management team while gaining exposure to an international supply chain and a fun, growth-oriented culture built on the values of being easy to work with, doing what it takes, and embracing change.
Job Description
Reporting to the Director of Operations, the Purchasing Analyst will drive cost savings and improve cash flow while ensuring high-quality products are available when needed. This person owns the purchasing cycle end to endplacing orders, managing product data, forecasting demand, and coordinating inbound logisticswhile building strong supplier relationships and instilling best-in-class sourcing discipline.
Key Outcomes

• Increase profitability and gross margin by reducing product cost and improving supply chain efficiency (freight, duties, tariffs, etc.).
• Optimize cash flow by reducing inventory to fewer than 180 Days on Hand (DOH).
• Eliminate stock-outs and backorders to maintain service levels (target: 0 backorders).
• Minimize inventory write-offs through disciplined cycle counting and end-of-life (EOL) processes.

Responsibilities

• Inventory Management: Maintain accurate inventory data, manage min/max levels and just-in-time ordering, issue purchase orders, and confirm delivery dates, quantities, and pricing. Handle occasional special-order purchases.
• Demand Planning & Forecasting: Forecast inventory needs based on purchasing cycles and product sales analysis to keep warehouse levels optimized.
• Sourcing Strategy: Source globallyincluding China, Thailand, Vietnam, Poland, Canada, and the U.S.to secure quality solutions at the right cost.
• SKU Setup & Maintenance: Create and maintain product SKUs as part of new product launches within agent software systems.
• Supplier Selection: Identify, rank, and weight supplier criteria; build a consistent selection process; and pre-qualify potential suppliers.
• Negotiation: Lead supplier agreements and negotiations to secure the most competitive price and service offers.
• Logistics & Shipping: Coordinate inbound shipments via air and ocean freight with forwarders and logistics partners to ensure availability at the best landed cost.
• Relationship Management: Manage supplier performance and agreements to sustain service levels and price competitiveness, including after-hours video calls with international vendors.
• Budgeting: Prepare and manage an annual purchasing budget, track results monthly, analyze variances, and reallocate resources to pursue new opportunities.

Growth Opportunities
This role offers strong potential for career progression into Merchandising, Product/Cost Management, or Product Planning as the organization continues to scale. Qualifications
Required Qualifications:

• 3+ years of professional purchasing/procurement experience, ideally within an inventory-oriented business involving light assembly, light manufacturing, and/or distribution.
• Experience buying physical products is required.
• Demonstrated experience across:
  • Demand forecasting
  • Inventory planning
  • Purchasing/procurement
  • SKU setup and management
  • Warehouse inventory coordination
• Advanced Excel and spreadsheet skills with a highly numbers-oriented, analytical, and financial mindset.
• Strong vendor identification, evaluation, negotiation, management, and communication skills.
• Proven ability to reduce costs and generate savings.
• Experience ov