Proven Winners (PW) is the leading consumer plant brand in North America, known for introducing innovative, top-performing plants that deliver proven garden success. With a commitment to top genetics, quality growing, innovative processes and consumer education, Proven Winners partners with breeders, growers and retailers worldwide to inspire gardeners and enrich outdoor spaces.

PW is seeking a Supply Chain Buyer/Planner to join our team out of our Carleton, MI location working under the leadership of our Supply Chain Manager.  This position is a hands-on, highly collaborative and visible role that is an important contributor to our operational and organizational success.

In this role, you will work within a team to develop and maintain a broad understanding of the company’s operational processes and core materials and services that require sourcing.  You will develop and maintain mutually beneficial relationships with key vendors and closely collaborate on planning and execution of procurement activities.  On a day to day basis, you will coordinate with functional managers company-wide to understand material requirements, develop and validate internal projections and forecasts, work with vendors to communicate detailed supply plans within lead times, monitor delivery schedules, adapt schedules to last minute changes, and help to ensure inventory levels are optimized to balance full availability with just-in-time delivery.

This is a full time, on-site, hourly, non-exempt position with a competitive benefits package.

JOB SUMMARY:

Closely collaborate with and support the Purchasing Manager and team to carry out the procurement activities assigned across Proven Winners and our primary sites in Carleton, Michigan, Louden, NH and Dekalb, Illinois. Develop and maintain a broad understanding of the company’s operational proceses and related core materials and services that require sourcing. Develop and maintain positive, open relationships with key suppliers to facilitate strong, lasting and mutually beneficial partnerships. Work collaboratively to optimize the supply base balancing the performance metrics of quality, cost, just-in-time delivery and supply stability. Cultivate relationships with counterparts at Proven Winners sister organizations and collaborate internally to support group-level sourcing decisions and actions. Develop a strong understanding of the Picas ERP system focused on its Puchasing module and its functionality. Utilize its capabilities and seek to more fully integrate them within our procurement processes and management practices. Maintain a postive “how-can-we?” in the face of challenges and obstacles, seek continuous improvement, expect perfomance excellence of yourself and the team around you and prioritize company and team success within the Supply Chain function.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Plan, organize and prioritize workload with a balanced focus on the important in conjunction with the urgent.

2. Monitor critical metrics to ensure uninterrupted supply of materials and commodities assigned for critical operating activities. Utilize Picas Purchasing module to monitor and report ongoing inventory activity, levels and potential supply issues.

3. Compile and organize data elements (historical material usage, current inventory status, sales projections, vendor pricing and lead times, etc.) from disparate sources to create forward-looking Excel-based forecasts of inventory on hand, requirements and receipts that are combined to help identify supply needs, risks and opportunities and an effective commodity planning process.

4. Coordinate with Purchasing Manager to evaluate competitive vendor quotes and bids. Provide appropriate comparisons and benchmark information to ensure a well-informed supply award decision and optimal supply outcomes.

5. Ensure compliance with company purchase authorization standards.

6. Actively support and coordinate with the Division Controller and accounting personnel to develop and maintain an understanding of financial chart of accounts for accurate account/cost center coding on purchase order line items. Ensure Picas system default codes on material purchases are accurate and up to date.

7. Collaborate actively with Purchasing Manager, peers and staff on special projects as assigned.

8. Continuously monitor practices and processes impacting the procurement function and make recommendations for improvements.

9. Deliver high standards of work performance:

· Demonstrate personal organization

· Take ownership of core responsibilities

· Follow-through on assignments

· Complete work by deadlines

· Provide clear and thorough analysis

· Document assumptions on recommendations and decisions

· Communicate proactively and effectively

· Prioritize workload with flexibility

· Maintain a collaborative, can-do, positive attitude.

We Are Committed to Our Core Values

Collaborating as One Team, One Proven Winners: Our future success is rooted in how well we work together—as one team, who is accountable to each other. Open, transparent, and direct communication remain central to our culture. We value the diverse strengths and perspectives each person brings and are committed to fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and respectful environment where everyone feels safe to challenge and learn from each other.

Embracing Continuous Improvement: Proven Winners was built on the belief that we could always offer something better. This mindset continues to guide us—whether improving our products, our capabilities, or how we work together. Embracing change strengthens our future and helps us continue leading the industry.

Pursuing Excellence: From superior plant genetics to building the most trusted brand in horticulture, excellence has always defined Proven Winners. We hold ourselves to high standards across product development, customer service, operations, and internal processes. By striving for excellence in everything we do, we continue to deliver exceptional value to our customers, partners, and one another.

Doing the Right Thing: Our brand is all about trust. We make ethical, transparent, and well-intentioned decisions, even when the outcome is difficult. We honor our commitments and rely on one another to act with integrity. Together, we uphold this value by caring for one another and the communities that we serve.

Prioritizing Safety: We prioritize the safety of our employees above all else. Our approach is proactive and prevention-focused, ensuring we maintain safe facilities, provide proper training, and empower every employee to prioritize safety in their daily work

ESSENTIAL SKILLS:

1. Establish and maintain important supply chain relationships and communicate effectively with individuals at all levels internally and externally.

2. Work well independently and collaborate effectively on group initiatives to achieve shared objectives.

3. Demonstrate ownership of individual and team responsibilities and for delivering work assignments on time.

4. Organize day-to-day work responsibilities in a highly structured manner to fit priorities, adapt to changes, overcome obstacles, deliver on deadlines and commitments, and achieve team and individual goals.

5. Maintain a technology-orientated mindset with an aptitude for learning ERP system processes.

6. Develop sound data analyses working with Microsoft Excel at an intermediate or higher skill level including creating spreadsheets, downloading files, using formulas, creating views, linking to data sources, filtering and sorting in workbooks.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. 3–5 years of experience in a purchasing, procurement, or materials management environment.

2. Although not required, a degree in Purchasing, Supply Chain or other business functions is preferred. Other training and coursework in Supply Chain or related business disciplines will be considered.

PHYSICAL ASPECTS:

1. Work full time on site at Proven Winners in Carleton, MI.

2. Extensive utilization of computers with typing on keyboard and use of mouse.

3. Periodic travel between buildings on campus and to sister sites in the U.S.