Electronic & Supply Buyer

Central Washington University is recruiting an Electronic & Supply Buyer to join our Wildcat Shop team in Ellensburg, Washington. This role is an important member of our team as they enhance the vision for the University. The role is a campus-based position, which means you get to see the lives you are impacting. We're offering a salary, depending on experience, from $40,716 - $54,204 annually plus the awesome CWU benefits.

Who we are:

We are a team of individuals committed to Changing Students' Lives. No matter what job, each of us plays a part in supporting and empowering our students to fulfill their dreams.

Working in higher education provides career growth and career choice. Think of a university campus like a mini city, operating across 380 acres. You'll find diverse academics, libraries, athletics and sporting events, full service and quick serve dining, conferences and events from small to large, recreation centers, housing, health services, police and public safety for the campus population of ~10,000 students.

Central Washington University has been named a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Top Producing Institution for the 2022-2023 academic year. In addition, for the seventh time in eight years, CWU is a recipient of the prestigious Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. Come join us on our journey to encourage, inspire, and create spaces where all identities thrive on campus.

Tour our campus in Ellensburg here. www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjdhOegDa9A

What we offer:

Our investment in you begins the day you join our team, a healthy and successful future for you is important to us. We offer medical, dental, life and disability insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, tuition assistance for you and your dependents, discounts across town, an employee assistance program for individualized counseling, and a wellness incentive program. Learn more: Benefits, Perks, and Leave.

The Role:

Full responsibility for management of Electronic Department and General Merchandise including ordering, stocking, merchandising, marketing, returns and special orders for all electronics and related tasks. Responsible for maintaining proper information for all aspects of computerized electronic and general merchandise management system. Implement Apple promotions, weekly Apple inventory reports, institutional sales, special events with input from the Merchandising and Operations Manager. Train student staff on procedures, computer payroll deductions, special orders, new product. All employees are expected to support CWU's commitment to diversity and to bring and support inclusion into the university environment.

Inventory Management: Cat Tech Department/General Merchandise Supplies:
Manage the Electronic and General Supply Department as a licensed Apple Dealer to include the following;
- Point of contact for Apple Dealer and keep up to date with new Apple products.
- Examine catalogs and wholesalers' information for stock, gather faculty and student requests, analyze trends and computer-generated sales reports.
- Make buying decisions for the Electronic & Supply Department based on gathered information.
- Decide what inventory not to reorder and make a plan to sell off the old inventory.
- Create Price Change Directives (PCD's) in the Ratex system.
- Prepare orders to wholesalers depending on availability, best discounts, freight charges and urgency of need.
- Order in such a way that promotes the best profit margin for the store balanced with an emphasis on good customer relations and timeliness.
- Fax, phone, mail or electronically submit orders and follow up on out-of-stock notifications as appropriate.
- Upon receipt of stock, verify receiving and billings reconcile when necessary.
- Prepare paperwork for invoice processing.
- Follow up on all unfilled purchase orders to check status.
- Maintain & update computer records or price changes, new products, changes and other information.
- Work with vendors, Wildcat Shop receiving department and office staff to solve problems in shipping and billing.
- Stock merchandise, clean, and straighten shelves. Make sure retail prices are accurate.
- Weekly Apple product inventory, physically count sections, compare and reconcile with computer data to maintain system integrity.
- Routinely check system old stock and put on sale as needed.
- Gather permissions to return as needed and produce packing lists for items to be returned by the shipping department.
- Help office staff with credit reconciliation as needed.
- Oversee inventory process for Electronics and supplies and coordinate report reconciliation process following inventory.
- Take in Apple products for repair.
- Oversee and participate in the Apple Seed program for bookstore staff to improve knowledge in current lineup of Apple products.

Marketing:
- Plan promotions for in-store displays and work with Merchandise and Operations Manager for special promotions in and out of store as needed.
- Direct regular yearly displays for events and holidays such as Faculty/Staff Appreciation Event, Women's History Month, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc.
- Plan for and order special lots of sale supplies as good purchasing opportunities arise.
- Assist with all store-wide marketing and advertising events.

Miscellaneous:
- Hire, train, supervise and evaluate student assistants to help in department maintenance and advise Merchandise and Operations Manager on termination of student assistants when appropriate.
- Direct vendor representatives as needed to peruse new product information, place orders and resolve problems.
- Communicate with faculty and academic departments to stock merchandise being recommended in classes.
- Expand staff picks and find way to display and promote this category.
- Assist with annual year-end inventory: Straighten and check sections to make ready.
- Physically count and/or do price checks & answer questions as needed.
- Attend meetings and trade shows as approved to keep abreast of industry changes or to make specialty purchases.
- Assist with web page and online orders as directed.
- Work Saturdays, as needed.
- When requested, act with authority in manager's absence.

Sales:
- Assist customers on sales floor and by phone.
- Help in finding in stock items and/or help customer research information for special orders.
- Process orders and contact customers when items arrive or advise if problems occur with orders.
- Make adjustments to department size as per direction of the store management to accommodate changes in the college store market.
- Plan direction of department sections and product to meet the needs of the students and keep abreast of trends in the industry.
- Expect to have cutting edge product that encourages the student to buy electronics.

- Actively engages in recruitment and hiring new employees.
- Clearly defines performance expectations, ensure accountability, and provides ongoing informal feedback, coaching, and mentoring. Conducts formal performance evaluations.
- Ensures employees have necessary resources.
- Oversees and directs the work of staff; serves as mentor, coach and leader, and resolves complaints or issues.
- Promotes professional development opportunities.
- Develops and fosters supportive working relationships, motivation and engagement.
- Communicates information to staff on an ongoing basis to influence staff engagement and to be a part of a larger community.
- Takes corrective action in a timely manner.
- Recognizes and rewards employees for good performance.
- Schedules employee work hours/shifts; monitor hours worked; approve payable time and absence requests.
- Adjusts leadership style as needed to achieve results. Recognizes value of and promotes diverse workforce. Values and encourages diverse perspectives, creativity and teamwork.

- Perform other duties as assigned.

• Two years of experience in retail sales or related work experience.
• Full-time, college-level coursework with major study in IT, retail merchandising, business, accounting, or marketing may be substituted year-for-year for required work experience.
• Attention to detail and the ability to create appealing merchandise displays.
• Excellent communication skills - works with departments and faculty.
• Experience with word and excel.
• Demonstrated ability and/or experience working with students and/or co-workers from a wide range of abilities, backgrounds and experiences.
• OR applicable combination of education and/or experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position.

Preferred Qualifications

• College degree in Merchandising, IT or related field.
• Passion for learning and the ability to share that passion with others.
• Experience as a retail buyer, preferably in a bookstore environment.
• Knowledge of POS systems or Ratex.
• Experience composing advertisements, sales flyers promotion and seasonal displays.
• Experience supervising staff performing such duties as training, hiring, evaluating, scheduling and disciplining.
• Experience with a computerized inventory control and point-of-sale register system.
• Demonstrated participation in programs designed to promote inclusion.
• A record of promoting inclusivity in the work environment.

Competencies

• Accountability/Dependability: Accepts responsibility for quality of own work; acknowledges and corrects mistakes. Shows up on time, meets standards, deadlines and work schedules.
• Judgement: Makes timely, informed decisions. Analyzes options and determines appropriate course of action.
• Teamwork: Promotes cooperation and mutual support to achieve goals. Encourages participation and mutual support.
• Adaptability/Flexibility: Responds positively to changing business needs and responsibilities. Adapts approach and methods to achieve results; recovers quickly from setbacks and finds alternatives.
• Commitment to Diversity: Recognizes the value of diversity and helps create environment that supports and embraces diversity.

*Don't meet every single requirement? At CWU we're dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every requirement, we encourage you to apply anyway. This may be the job for you!

Salary: This position is based on the range 39 of the Washington State Classification Listing, which has a minimum annual salary of $40,716 and maximum annual salary of $54,204. In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate's current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

Schedule/Appointment: Monday - Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm (1 hour lunch)

Working Conditions: This position works in a retail environment within the Wildcat Shop. Work shifts will vary depending on the needs of the Wildcat Shop with some occasional overtime, occasional night or weekend work. Additional physical requirements of the position include correctly lifting up to 50 lbs. individually from the floor or shelf locations. Some travel is expected with this position.

Benefits: CWU offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical and dental insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, life and disability insurance, along with vacation and sick leave plans depending on employment classification. For additional information please visit Benefits, Perks, and Leave.

An employee of CWU may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program if the employee has student loans. To learn more, visit: https://ofm.wa.gov/state-human-resources/public-service-loan-forgiveness-program.