Procurement and Distribution Manager

Reports to Director of Sales and Distribution

Word on Fire Catholic Ministries is a nonprofit global media apostolate that supports the work of Bishop Robert Barron and reaches millions of people to draw them into—or back to—the Catholic faith.

The Procurement and Distribution Manager is responsible for managing the procurement of books and other merchandise, the forecasting and inventory of those items in the warehouse, and managing the distribution of the items through wholesale and direct to consumer sales channels. This Procurement and Distribution Manager is also responsible for maintaining Word on Fire’s relationships with the warehouse and external manufacturing vendors.

Location: Elk Grove Village, IL

Employment Type: Full-time

Responsibilities

• Directly supervisor a team of procurement and distribution employee(s)
• Perform purchasing functions for the ministry, such as issuing requests for quotes, purchase orders, pricing verification, and payment authorization
• Maintain knowledge of trends, prices, and vendors to anticipate future product availability and timelines
• Work with relevant departments to ensure products are purchased at the correct specifications and budget
• Maintain accurate records of product specifications, including carton quantities
• Create and maintain vendor and materials databases
• Assist in forecasting sales demand and maintaining appropriate product inventory levels in the domestic warehouse
• Manage the forecasting, purchasing, and distribution of the periodical mailing lists
• Maintain accurate mailing records which are reviewed yearly by the USPS
• Review purchase orders and ensure they are accurate and within the proposed purchasing budget
• Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, ensuring timely delivery and quality products
• Evaluate supplier performance to make informed purchasing decisions
• Source additional suppliers to ensure an uninterrupted pipeline of supplies
• Monitor and analyze costs related to purchasing and inventory and seek opportunities for cost reduction
• Communicate with the warehouse team weekly with order projections and ensure accurate shipping and handling of orders
• Work with internal and external partners to conduct annual warehousing and purchasing audit

Requirements

• Commitment to the mission of Word on Fire
• Bachelor's Degree in business or a related field or equivalent experience
• 5 years experience in purchasing, inventory management, logistics, supply chain, or a related field
• Results-oriented, independent self-starter, and expert time manager
• Creative problem solver
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Experience with forecasting demand, vendor negotiations, and cost analysis in a warehouse/distribution environment
• Experience supervising and mentoring a team
• Excellent interpersonal skills for building professional relationships and cross-departmental collaboration
• Reporting and projection skills 

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience within book manufacturing or distribution
• Proficient with Microsoft Excel and/or Google Sheets
• Familiarity with the work of Bishop Robert Barron and Word on Fire

Physical Requirements

• Ability to walk for multiple hours during warehouse audits
• Occasionally lifts boxes up to 25 pounds

Compensation and Benefits

The estimated base pay range for this position is $70,000 - $90,000 annually. Word on Fire determines individual compensation on several factors, including but not limited to, experience, skills, alignment with the role’s responsibilities, and geographic location. This role may be eligible for annual merit increases based on individual performance.

Word on Fire also offers its team members a robust benefits package that includes:

• Work-from-home Wednesdays and up to 20 additional work-from-home days throughout the year
• Several 100% Word on Fire-paid insurance benefits: life, short-term disability, and long-term disability
• Other insurance benefits: medical, dental, vision, HSA, FSA, accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity
• A retirement plan with a 3% target employer contribution
• Generous paid time off and paid holidays
• Paid parental leaves at 100% of base salary
• Access to Word on Fire’s incredible wealth of content and resources and more!

Word on Fire is founded upon and intent on prioritizing its Catholic religious mission and principles above all else. Word on Fire's religious mission may therefore require that it make employment decisions based on an individual's religion and adherence to the principles of the Catholic Church.