Purchasing Analyst

Central Garden & Pet

Walnut Creek, CA

JOB DETAILS
SALARY
$65,000–$75,000 Per Year
JOB TYPE
Full-time
SKILLS
Accounting, Administrative Skills, Analysis Skills, Billing, Budgeting, Business Skills, Cellular Telephone, Communication Skills, Contract Approval, Contract Negotiation, Contract Processing, Cost Allocation, Cost Reporting, Cross-Functional, Dental Insurance, Desktop PC, Detail Oriented, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Follow Through, Hardware Administration, IT Governance, IT Procurement, Information Technology & Information Systems, Interpersonal Skills, Inventory Management, Laptop PC, Logistics, Manufacturing, Market Analysis, Microsoft Office, Multitasking, Online Courses, Order Delivery, Organizational Skills, Peripheral Hardware, Pricing, Problem Solving Skills, Procurement Software, Purchase Orders, Purchasing/Procurement, Reconciliation, Sales, Supplier Relationship Management (SRM), Systems Administration/Management, Team Player, Technical Operations, Technical Support, Testing, Time Management, Vendor/Supplier Evaluation, Vendor/Supplier Relations, Vendor/Supplier Selection, Vision Plan, Willing to Travel
LOCATION
Walnut Creek, CA
POSTED
4 days ago

Description

Reporting to the Director of IT Governance & End Point Engineering, the IT Purchasing Analyst's responsibility is to manage and optimize the end-to-end procurement of technology-related goods and services, serving as the department’s subject matter expert for IT purchasing. This role drives process efficiency, vendor accountability, and cost-effective sourcing across the organization. Specifically, this position will serve as the primary point of contact for day-to-day and project-related purchasing, contract renewal processing, vendor & inventory administration, and hardware lifecycle financial coordination. The role is responsible for invoice reconciliation, billing dispute resolution, financial reporting, and cost allocation accuracy. The role is responsible for partnering cross-functionally with IT, Finance, and business stakeholders to deliver seamless procurement operations. Additionally, this position will act as the primary workflow administrator in our service administration tool Alemba Service Manager.

 
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

Day-to-Day & Project Related Purchasing – responsible for the end-to-end processing of purchasing requests including:

  • Sourcing
  • Quote generation
  • Approval coordination
  • PO creation, approval, logging & order conversion
  • License and/or inventory tracking administration when appropriate
  • Assuring on-time delivery
  • Invoice processing
  • Act as the liaison with Accounting and IT Finance to resolve discrepancies and answer questions

Vendor Administration - responsibilities include: 

  • Participate in the review and definition of company end point standards
  • Periodic comparison of the pricing of commonly purchased items with other vendors
  • Periodic market analysis
  • Participate in vendor contract negotiations and renewal discussions to help secure favorable pricing and terms

Vendor Relationship Management - responsibilities include: 

  • Serve as the primary point of contact for key IT vendors, building and maintaining productive working relationships
  • Proactively communicate with vendors on open orders, delivery timelines, and issue resolution to ensure accountability
  • Escalate vendor performance issues and discrepancies promptly to minimize disruption to operations

Computer Inventory Administration - monitor, maintain, and allocate inventory of desktop & laptop computers and other IT related hardware including:

  • Oversite of IT Prepaid inventory to assure we have adequate stock and that we are following accounting rules
  • Allocation of costs from prepaid to the correct cost centers
  • Act as the liaison with Accounting to resolve discrepancies and answer questions

Hardware Life-Cycle Financial Coordination - manage the annual hardware refresh procurement process, including: 

  • Own the budgetary analysis and financial scope definition for the annual hardware refresh
  • Review of assets to be refreshed and determine and communicate the financial scope to allow for budgeting
  • Working with the End Point Engineering team to coordinate the timely procurement & delivery of hardware to support their refresh efforts
  • Process all related invoices assuring that costs are accurately allocated.

Service Manager Work-Flow Amin

  • Act as the primary contact for additions and changes to existing workflows
  • Work with others in IT to design, build & test new workflows and screen sets. 
QUALIFICATIONS 
  • 2+ years’ experience in technology procurement, IT purchasing, or related indirect goods and services procurement; experience managing vendor relationships and contracts preferred
  • Demonstrates initiative, flexibility and provides complete follow-through on areas of responsibility.
  • Ability to identify, escalate, and independently resolve complex procurement and vendor-related issues
  • Strong planning, organizational and time administration skills
  • Attention to detail and strong analytical problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to multi-task with the ability to change direction quickly and often.
  • Ability to work well within tight deadlines.
  • Collaborative team player: ability to work in cross-functional teams.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to lift/move computers, peripheral equipment, and supplies (≤50Lbs) 
  • Domestic travel required (≤10%)
  • Basic Business accounting skills
  • Strong proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite
  • Experience working in a cross-functional corporate environment supporting IT or technology operations preferred
POSITION INFORMATION  
  • This position pays $65,000 - $75,000 per year depending on experience.
BENEFITS PACKAGE & EMPLOYEE PROGRAMS 
  • Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
  • Free Life and Disability Insurance
  • Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
  • 401k with 3% company match and annual employer discretionary contribution
  • Paid vacation, holidays and sick time
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Access to thousands of free online courses
  • Discounts on cell phones, movie tickets, gym memberships, and more!
  • Education Assistance (both college degrees and professional certifications)
  • Referral Program with cash bonus
  • Access to on-demand pay
  • Paid parental leave
 
Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ: CENT) (NASDAQ: CENTA) is a leading consumer goods company in the pet and garden industries. Guided by the belief that home is central to life, the Company's purpose is to proudly nurture happy and healthy homes. For over 45 years, its innovative and trusted solutions have helped lawns grow greener, gardens bloom bigger, pets live healthier, and communities grow stronger. Central is home to a diversified portfolio of market-leading brands including Amdro®, Aqueon®, Best Bully Sticks®, Cadet®, C&S®, Farnam®, Ferry-Morse®, Kaytee®, Nylabone®, Pennington®, Sevin® and Zoёcon®. With fiscal 2025 net sales of $3.1 billion, Central has strong manufacturing and logistics capabilities supported by a passionate, entrepreneurial growth culture. The Company is headquartered in Walnut Creek, California, and employs over 6,000 people, primarily across North America. Visit www.central.com to learn more.
 
We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.


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About the Company

C

Central Garden & Pet