Merchandise Buyer / Manager
10 days ago
Council Bluffs
Job Description About Variety Distributors, Inc. Founded in 1946, Variety Distributors, Inc. (VDI) is a member-owned cooperative distributor serving over 1,000 retail locations nationwide. With more than 25,000 items in stock and the collective buying power of a 1,000+ store network, VDI is one of the most established general merchandise distributors in the country. This is a rare opportunity to join a company with deep roots, a loyal member base, and the resources of a national cooperative — while working in a collaborative, close-knit team environment. About the Role We are looking for an experienced and driven Merchandise Buyer/Manager to take ownership of our product sourcing strategy. You'll be the person deciding what goes on the shelves of over 1,000 retail locations across the country — leveraging vendor relationships, market insight, and sharp negotiating skills to ensure our members always have access to the right products at the best prices. Buying experience is the top priority for this role. If you've sat across the table from vendors, negotiated terms, managed purchase orders at scale, and have a track record of smart product decisions — we want to talk to you. Responsibilities Product Sourcing & Procurement • Identify, evaluate, and purchase general merchandise that aligns with VDI's product strategy and member needs, • Manage a high-volume product catalog across seasonal, basic, and promotional categories, • Negotiate pricing, terms, and delivery timelines with suppliers to maximize value for VDI and its members, • Build long-term vendor partnerships based on performance, reliability, and competitive pricing, • Stay ahead of retail trends, seasonal shifts, and competitive product developments, • Conduct regular market research to identify emerging product opportunities and assortment gaps, • Create, manage, and track purchase orders through the full procurement lifecycle, • Coordinate with the warehouse team to ensure accurate, on-time product delivery, • Partner with marketing on promotional planning, catalog development, and seasonal campaigns Required • Demonstrated experience in merchandise buying, procurement, or purchasing — this is the most important qualification for this role, • Strong vendor negotiation skills with a proven track record of securing favorable pricing and terms, • Deep understanding of the retail industry, general merchandise, or distribution environment, • Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple purchase orders, vendors, and product categories simultaneously, • Analytical mindset — comfortable using data to drive purchasing decisions, • Experience within a cooperative or member-owned distribution model, • Familiarity with planograms, seasonal dating, or catalog-based retail programs, • Background in wholesale distribution or multi-location retail supply chain, • Base salary: $60,000 – $75,000 / year, commensurate with experience, • Competitive benefits package, • Stable, established company with a 75+ year track record