| Location | Des Moines, IA |
POSITION PURPOSE:
The Associate Product Buyer - Event Gifting is responsible for supporting the planning and execution of Event Gifting programs. Event Gifting is a component of larger, corporate events where guests are gifted meaningful products and/or experiences that are relevant to the event and create a memorable and lasting impression. Event Gifting also supports the other ITA Group solution lines with gifting needs. The Associate Product Buyer supports a team of Product Buyers who manage over 150 gifting opportunities annually.
ACCOUNTABILITIES & PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS:
The primary responsibility of the Associate Product Buyer - Event Gifting is to support the Event Gifting Buyers in planning and executing Event Gifting programs for our internal and external clientele. Key tasks and responsibilities include:
The Associate Product Buyer will be responsible for managing and tracking incoming request for proposals, rework, and miscellaneous requests. This includes:
Ownership of the Event Gifting email inbox
Delegation and tracking of Proposal Requests to Buyers
Confirm all information required for Buyer to develop proposal has been provided by Requester
Creating/and or Managing client folders to capture required forms, documents, and communication
The Associate Product Buyer will be responsible for management of supplier and client invoices:
Ability to understand pricing strategies such as:
How to negotiate wholesale discounts with suppliers
Applying margin/mark-up which meets ITA's financial goals as well as provides value to clients
Estimate shipping and taxes
Ability to understand and estimate total Event costs, inclusive of staffing costs, travel costs, cost of "merchandising" the gifts (visual presentation - linens, décor, etc.), any communication elements included with event (ex. Event Gifting Vouchers)
Post event, ability to reconcile estimated costs with final vendor invoices
Approve and process supplier invoices and collaborating closely with Accounting department
Supply detailed expense reports to be included in Client Invoices
Event Gifting is continuously researching and adding new Suppliers. The Associate Product Buyer will be responsible for maintaining a current database of all Supplier information, inclusive of:
Supplier Name
Contact Information
Key Brands, Categories, and/or Products
Negotiated Discounts
Performance Notes
On an as-needed basis, The Associate Product Buyer may also be responsible for executing Event Gifting programs once orders are confirmed by the Buyer. This is inclusive of:
Placing & managing Purchase Orders with multiple vendors
Securing accurate artwork and proof approval for custom orders
Disciplined document management; ability to follow internal processes for tracking, managing, and saving order information to allow cross-functional team members to access event gifting information
The Associate Buyer will be asked to develop creative proposals inclusive of new, exciting, and rewarding merchandise gifts and experiences:
Ongoing, proactive research of products trending in the event gifting and retail space
Collaboration with teammates to share product knowledge
Ability to establish relationships with new and existing suppliers
Ability to create visually pleasing proposals in Microsoft PowerPoint; Critical attention to detail is necessary; expected proposal accuracy of 100%
Proposals to include rationale, description, and pricing related to various components of event Gifting:
Merchandise
Event Staffing
Travel
Taxes & Duties
Shipping & Handling
Event Operations
Communication or Marketing Elements
Collaboration with our internal marketing group (Communications Solutions Group, or CSG) to provide event gifting programs that cohesively align with communication strategy of the event
POSITION REQUIREMENTS: