Associate Buyer

The Role 

The Associate Buyer is responsible for executing market-specific assortment strategy that will help create a world-class patient/customer experience. To do this, the Associate Buyer will work with the Buyer and other stakeholders to define and execute assortment strategy.

The Associate Buyer will be responsible for executing day-to-day purchasing and relevant administrative tasks to grow revenue and enhance profitability. We're looking for Individuals who possess unwavering Integrity, unquenchable curiosity, and a passion for cannabis. Initially, this individual will support our MN and OH markets and will have a dual reporting relationship. 

Responsibilities 

• Works with the Buyer to craft localized assortment strategy by store and market for our MN and OH markets
• Executes day-to-day purchasing activities, including: writing orders, performing financial analysis, overseeing inventory logistics, informing internal product opportunities, and managing vendor relationships
• Develops strong relationships with suppliers of cannabis products to ensure consistent access to product for our patients; leads vendor negotiations; problem solves to resolve conflict as needed
• Identifies and surfaces potential business risks to the Buyer with a solution-oriented mindset
• Establishes and maintains a reputation of credibility and responsiveness in the marketplace
• Elicits critical information from vendors with regards to market trends and current buying activity of competitors and presents findings effectively
• Responsible for managing the full lifecycle of buying for assigned vendors: influencing product innovation, leading vendor meetings and costing negotiations, conducting pricing analysis, promotional calendars, and product exit strategies
• Surfaces reporting and process improvement opportunities to the Buyer
• Works cross-functionally to ensure accurate data entry for products, promotions, and discounts happens accurately and in a timely way
• Stays abreast of the evolving and competitive landscape of the cannabis industry
• Assists the Buyer in managing appropriate inventory levels to ensure dispensaries can exceed sales expectations in addition to other ad hoc duties as needed
• Supports other Revenue-related tasks as needed

Qualifications  

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field preferred, but not required
• 3+ years’ experience in retail buying, merchandising, or planning
• Adapts and thrives in a demanding, start-up, fast-paced environment; willingness to work outside of typical “9-5”.
• Experience managing external relationships
• Intermediate proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook); some experience using AI tools is a plus
• Ability to gather / analyze data and to work with incomplete information
• Highly motivated, self-starter, innovative and able to work independently or among teams with keen judgement, common sense and resourcefulness
• Possesses a high level of critical thinking
• Operates with a high level of professionalism and integrity, including dealing with confidential information
• Must understand and comply with the rules, regulations, policies, and procedures of GTI
• Eager to learn cannabis compliance laws, rules and regulations and passion to further their understanding and knowledge of the industry and the laws. 

Additional Requirements 

• Must pass any and all required background checks  
• Must be and remain compliant with all legal or company regulations for working in the industry  
• Must possess valid driver’s license 
• Must be a minimum of 21 years of age 
• Must be approved by state badging agency to work in cannabis industry