Purchasing - Inventory Specialist

A position at White Cap isn’t your ordinary job. You’ll work in an exciting and diverse environment, meet interesting people, and have a variety of career opportunities.

The White Cap family is committed to Building Trust on Every Job. We do this by being deeply knowledgeable, fully capable, and always dependable, and our associates are the driving force behind this commitment.

Responsible for inventory planning and execution across assigned product categories by analyzing data, forecasting demand, and managing and executing purchase order activity.  Contributes to inventory optimization efforts that ensure product availability while minimizing excess, aged, and obsolete stock. Collaborates with cross-functional teams, including Purchasing, Category Management, and Operations, to deliver data-driven insights that support operational efficiency and business performance.

Major Tasks, Responsibilities and Key Accountabilities

- Executes established inventory and replenishment strategies to balance product availability, working capital, and operational efficiency.
- Evaluates item-level demand forecasts using historical sales, inventory trends, system projections, promotions, seasonality, and other demand drivers.
- Reviews purchasing reports and procurement queues and prioritizes orders based on established guidelines, critical needs, demand signals, inventory levels, and sales trends.
- Maintains and validates purchasing parameters, including reorder points, lead times, and safety stock levels, to support accurate automated replenishment recommendations.
- Analyzes inventory and vendor performance metrics, including in-stock rates, inventory turns, days of supply, fill rates, and on-time and in-full performance, and communicates identified trends and variances.
- Investigates inventory variances, planning exceptions, data discrepancies, and process failures and recommends corrective or preventive actions in collaboration with appropriate partners.
- Coordinates with cross-functional teams and vendors to support inventory plans, timely purchase order execution, and dependable product availability.
- Monitors the flow of materials from purchase order placement through delivery and communicates fulfillment issues, supply risks, and potential service impacts.
- Identifies supply risks and recommends practical contingency actions within established planning processes to reduce disruption and protect customer service levels.
- Supports inventory-related projects, seasonal planning efforts, system updates, and process improvements by evaluating impacts, coordinating activities, and completing assigned deliverables.
- Communicates inventory recommendations, risks, and performance insights clearly and transparently to support informed stakeholder decisions.
- Performs other duties as assigned.

Nature and Scope

- Works in compliance with established procedures and/or protocols. Identifies and resolves readily identifiable, clearly defined problems. Demonstrates skill in data analysis and techniques by resolving missing/incomplete information and inconsistencies/anomalies in routine research/data.
- Nature of work requires general supervision; exercises judgment. May be paired with a mentor. Work typically involves regular process checks or review of output by a coworker and/or supervisor.
- May provide general guidance/direction to or train junior level support personnel.

Work Environment

- Located in a comfortable indoor area. Any unpleasant conditions would be infrequent and not objectionable.
- Most of the time is spent sitting in a comfortable position and there is frequent opportunity to move about. On rare occasions there may be a need to move or lift light articles.
- Typically requires overnight travel less than 10% of the time.

Education and Experience

- Typically requires BS/BA in a related discipline. Certification may be required in some areas. Generally 0-2 years of experience in a related field OR MS/MA and generally 0-1 year of experience in a related field.

Preferred Qualifications

•  Master’s or advanced degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Analytics, Business, Finance, Operations, or related field.

•  Proficiency in data visualization tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau).

•  Experience with ERP systems, including inventory and procurement models.

•  Proficiency in Excel and Microsoft Office products.

•  Exceptional attention to detail, adaptability, and a proactive approach to problem-solving.

This is a hybrid position. Eligible candidates residing in the greater Atlanta area will be asked to work two days a week in our Doraville, GA Field Support Center.

If you’re looking to play a role in building America, consider one of our open opportunities. We can’t wait to meet you.