Inside Buyer/Commercial Analyst

This position is designed as a developmental commercial role with a potential career path from Inside Buyer / Commercial Analyst to Account Representative as commercial knowledge, judgment, customer management skills, and decision-making authority increase.

Decision-making authority shall include routine commercial decisions within established guidelines, dollar thresholds, and pricing authority limits. Significant financial commitments, customer agreements, large-dollar purchasing decisions, and commercial exceptions remain under the authority of Executive Traders and Account Representatives.

 

Essential Functions

The following functions are fundamental to the position and represent the primary reason the role exists:

• Support inside purchasing and buying activities, including supplier communication, quote requests, pricing support, transaction follow-up, and order execution.
• Assist Executive Traders and Account Representatives with pricing verification, purchasing support, and transactional execution.
• Analyze customer and supplier accounts for volume, revenue, profitability, margin performance, pricing trends, and account opportunities.
• Prepare commercial reports, dashboards, forecasts, and analytical summaries to support management decision-making.
• Perform pricing analysis and margin analysis to identify opportunities for profitability improvement.
• Support account management activities by providing market information, account analytics, pricing support, and customer-related research.
• Coordinate logistics activities and assist in resolving transportation, freight, inventory, and shipment-related issues.
• Maintain accurate customer, supplier, pricing, purchasing, inventory, and transactional information within ERP and related systems.
• Monitor open commercial items and ensure timely follow-up and resolution.
• Conduct forecasting, volume analysis, inventory reviews, and business trend evaluations.
• Assist in identifying opportunities, risks, inefficiencies, and process improvements affecting customers, suppliers, and commercial operations.
• Support margin-generating personnel by reducing administrative workload and improving operational efficiency.
• Maintain data integrity and ensure the accuracy of reports, pricing information, and commercial records.
• Collaborate with sales, purchasing, operations, logistics, accounting, and leadership teams to support business objectives.
• Exercise sound judgment and make routine commercial decisions within established authority limits.

Other Duties / Responsibilities

• Assist leadership with special projects, business analyses, process-improvement initiatives, and research assignments.
• Gather and analyze market data, commodity information, pricing trends, and industry developments.
• Participate in ERP improvement initiatives and data quality projects.
• Support commercial reporting and presentation preparation.
• Maintain confidentiality of customer, supplier, financial, pricing, and company information.
• Provide exceptional internal and external customer service.
• Perform additional duties as assigned to support commercial operations and business objectives.

Required Skills / Abilities

The successful candidate must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

Commercial & Technical Proficiency

• Knowledge of purchasing, supply chain, logistics, commercial operations, customer service, and account analysis.
• Knowledge of customer specifications, products, services, pricing concepts, and business processes.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Excel, including advanced spreadsheet development, data analysis, and reporting.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and ERP systems.
• Ability to compile, interpret, analyze, and apply business information effectively.
• Strong understanding of pricing, margins, profitability, and financial performance measures.

Communication & Interpersonal Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal and customer-service skills.
• Ability to interact professionally with customers, suppliers, vendors, and team members.
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly and effectively.

Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills

• Strong analytical, mathematical, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to identify trends, opportunities, risks, and process improvements.
• Ability to evaluate information and make sound business recommendations.
• Ability to troubleshoot issues and resolve problems effectively.

Organization & Work Style

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across departments.

Qualifications

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Associate degree, vocational training, or bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, Economics, Supply Chain, Analytics, Logistics, or a related field preferred.
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.

Experience

• Minimum three (3) to five (5) years of relevant professional experience required.
• Preferred experience in one or more of the following areas:
• Logistics
• Business Analytics
• Supply Chain
• Customer Service
• Experience in purchasing, inside sales, account management, transportation, manufacturing, commodities, metals, recycling, or other commercial business environments preferred.
• Experience with customer account analysis, pricing, reporting, forecasting, or margin analysis preferred.

Certifications / Training

• Ongoing professional development in business, analytics, purchasing, or supply chain disciplines preferred.

Technology Experience

Preferred experience with:

• Advanced Microsoft Excel (required)
• ERP systems
• Power BI
• SQL

Excel proficiency is considered essential for successful performance in this role.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Ability to stand and walk periodically throughout the workday.
• Ability to lift, carry, and move up to 15 pounds occasionally.
• Ability to perform repetitive wrist, hand, and finger movements associated with computer use.
• Ability to maintain focus, multitask, and perform tasks requiring accuracy and attention to detail.
• Visual acuity sufficient to read reports, analyze data, review spreadsheets, and use computer systems.
• Ability to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and through electronic communications.
• Ability to work extended hours as business demands require.
• Occasional travel may be required.