Hawkins HR Consulting, LLC
Retail Buyer Specialist
Hawkins HR Consulting, LLC, Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, United States, 40342
Job Description
The
Visitor Center Retail Buyer Specialis t (VCRBS) is responsible for developing and executing the merchandise strategy across both the physical Visitor Center location and the online retail platform. This role focuses on researching, sourcing, and curating new retail products, while ensuring accurate inventory control and efficient fulfillment processes. Additional responsibilities include supporting supply ordering, managing the e-commerce platform, and conducting regular physical inventory counts. The Retail Buyer Specialist reports directly to the Manager of Guest Experience and collaborates closely with the Visitor Center Supervisors for Distillery & Warehouse and Bottling, the Guest Experience Coordinator, and the Marketing and Quality Control departments. This position conducts job duties in a manner that demonstrates a strong food safety culture which ensures the safety and quality of our products.
Summary/Objective
The Visitor Center Retail Buyer Specialist (VCRBS) is responsible for executing all inventory control functions and ensuring the accuracy and efficiency of retail operations. Working closely with the Manager of Guest Experience, this role helps develop premium branded merchandise and engaging retail displays that reflect the Four Roses brand. The VCRBS oversees daily e-commerce operations, recommends enhancements to drive online sales, and creates strategic purchase orders for both new and replenishment merchandise. This position also ensures accurate pricing, maintains organized stock and retail spaces, and upholds all inventory control procedures. Through these efforts, the VCRBS supports Four Roses' goal of delivering a consistent, elevated retail experience-both in-store and online-that enhances the overall guest journey.
Essential Functions Time Allocations
Major Responsibilities 90%
Retail Buyer, Purchasing & Procurement
Replenish retail merchandise, Bourbon, Visitor Center Private Selection Barrels and goods and supplies for Visitor Centers through creation of purchase orders for approval by Manager, Guest Experience. Source & create new retail merchandise for approval to update inventory mix to align with corporate brand guidelines and adhere to corporate purchasing policy. Collect quotes, product samples, and digital proofs to support product recommendations. Develop and present quarterly merchandise and product assortment plans that align with seasonal trends, guest preferences, and marketing campaigns; collaborate with the Manager, Guest Experience to gain approval and ensure alignment with brand strategy. Stay abreast of current shopping trends internally and externally, to support recommendations for new or changes to retail merchandise. Establish and maintain vendor relations, work with manager to seek competitive pricing balanced with highest quality goods and profit potential. Monitor sell-through report and re-order merchandise as determined by lead times. Conduct receiving-in procedures through quantity and quality inspection, ensuring items are accurately price-tagged with the support of Visitor Center Team. Update pricing changes for items as requested by manager. Assist with inventory and supplies for Four Roses' participation in onsite events and as necessary/directed for festivals and/or other offsite events.
Inventory Control
Adheres to inventory control procedures; works with VC Supervisors to train staff as needed. Conducts physical inventory quarterly cycle counts and annual inventory. Perform periodic audits as directed to ensure accuracy of inventory in system. Enter location transfers, damaged goods and internal transactions (Store 4), processing entries and record as required per SOP. Track Bourbon inventory for Visitor Center Barrels, Tastings and Guest Experiences. Order non-retail Visitor Center supplies as determined by Supervisors. Coordinate and deliver inventory and supply needs for Warehouse and Bottling Visitor Center. Provide monthly reports to Manager, Guest Experience as directed
E-commerce Platforms
Monitor daily orders and work in partnership with Visitor Center Supervisors to ensure orders are fulfilled, packed, and shipped within 3-5 business days. Work in conjunction with Consumer Advocacy department to add and update new items to retail e-commerce platform. Reply to consumer inquires and complaints for e-commerce transactions professionally and in a timely manner. Coordinate monthly e-comm products and promotions with Consumer Engagement Specialist to be featured in communications with consumers including but not limited to the Subscriber Newsletter and MMC Newsletter. Provide monthly reports on e-comm sales to Manager, Guest Experience, and Consumer Engagement Specialist. Partner with Consumer Engagement Specialist to annually evaluate Mellow Moments Club product offerings via e-commerce and make updates, as needed. Contribute to exploratory research in partnership with Manager, Guest Experience and Senior Manager, Consumer Advocacy & Engagement regarding innovation opportunities in e-commerce including but not limited to e-comm software platforms, fulfillment partners, and new product development.
Minor Responsibilities 10%
Retail Storefront
Assist Manager, Guest Experience with creating impactful and visually engaging, organized displays and implement seasonal updates: Works with brand team to ensure promotions are accurate and merchandised to the company's standards, Maintain visual merchandising signs and merchandising equipment and fixtures.
Guest Experiences
Engage and communicate with customers, may support retail/POS functions and assist with guest hospitality to positively represent the brand.
Marketing
Assists in Marketing related functions, events and activities as necessary.
Other Job Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Qualifications
Required Competencies
Ability to multi-task and prioritize, outstanding organizational and time management skills Ability to work well with others; team player, enthusiastic, energetic, and willing to pitch in and help wherever most needed; can support a team environment Flexibility, excellent communication skills, verbal and written, and open-mindedness is key Must have excellent verbal and non-verbal communication skills to effectively communicate with staff, vendors, co-workers and guests Displays self-initiative, motivated Technical capacity; learning orientation Ability to problem solve and analyze data Work independently while meeting multiple deadlines Top notch professional, trustworthy and highly ethical with a positive attitude Creativity, ability to recognize market trends & consumer expectations are crucial to the role Strong analytical skills
Required Education and Experience
Associate's degree in business administration, marketing, supply chain management or related field At least 2 years of experience as a retail buyer or procurement within a retail environment. Experience in inventory control and merchandising in a retail environment. Must be familiar and comfortable with POS/Inventory Control systems Demonstrated proficiency MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, SharePoint). Must be 21 years of age or older with valid driver's license
Preferred Education and Experience
Retail experience in spirits/tourism industries a plus Knowledge of Shopify Experience with Counterpoint
Job Related Information
Supervisory Responsibility
The Visitor Center Retail Buyer Specialist role has no direct reports.
Work Environment
While performing the duties of this job, will work primarily in a climate-controlled environment with minimal safety/health hazard potential. Walking, lifting, moving merchandise (overhead, waist level) from floor, bending, frequent near vision use for reading and computer use; frequent stressful conditions (cardiovascular). Limited sedentary work. Could be exposed to infrequent fumes or airborne particles, moving mechanical parts and vibration as could be expected in any OSHA compliant operation and may be occasionally exposed to a variety of extreme conditions in the distillery/warehouse/bottling environment.
Work Schedule, Location & Travel Requirements
The Visitor Center Retail Buyer Specialist works primarily from the Distillery location but will delegate time weekly to the Warehouse & Bottling Facility. Primary work schedule is Monday - Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Evenings and/or weekends may be required on occasion to facility floor resets, merchandising responsibilities, and physical inventory counts. Travel is required between Kentucky locations. Travel could be required to other sites, cities to learn more about specific or general operations, vendors, equipment, or methods. Travel required between Four Roses Distillery and Warehouse & Bottling Facility locations weekly, up to 30% of time. Additional travel for meetings, vendor relations and professional development may also be required.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. This position is very active and requires standing, walking, lifting, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and climbing stairs, as the job requires. The employee must work as team member in comparable work and actions. The employee may lift up to 50 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Visitor Center Retail Buyer Specialis t (VCRBS) is responsible for developing and executing the merchandise strategy across both the physical Visitor Center location and the online retail platform. This role focuses on researching, sourcing, and curating new retail products, while ensuring accurate inventory control and efficient fulfillment processes. Additional responsibilities include supporting supply ordering, managing the e-commerce platform, and conducting regular physical inventory counts. The Retail Buyer Specialist reports directly to the Manager of Guest Experience and collaborates closely with the Visitor Center Supervisors for Distillery & Warehouse and Bottling, the Guest Experience Coordinator, and the Marketing and Quality Control departments. This position conducts job duties in a manner that demonstrates a strong food safety culture which ensures the safety and quality of our products.
Summary/Objective
The Visitor Center Retail Buyer Specialist (VCRBS) is responsible for executing all inventory control functions and ensuring the accuracy and efficiency of retail operations. Working closely with the Manager of Guest Experience, this role helps develop premium branded merchandise and engaging retail displays that reflect the Four Roses brand. The VCRBS oversees daily e-commerce operations, recommends enhancements to drive online sales, and creates strategic purchase orders for both new and replenishment merchandise. This position also ensures accurate pricing, maintains organized stock and retail spaces, and upholds all inventory control procedures. Through these efforts, the VCRBS supports Four Roses' goal of delivering a consistent, elevated retail experience-both in-store and online-that enhances the overall guest journey.
Essential Functions Time Allocations
Major Responsibilities 90%
Retail Buyer, Purchasing & Procurement
Replenish retail merchandise, Bourbon, Visitor Center Private Selection Barrels and goods and supplies for Visitor Centers through creation of purchase orders for approval by Manager, Guest Experience. Source & create new retail merchandise for approval to update inventory mix to align with corporate brand guidelines and adhere to corporate purchasing policy. Collect quotes, product samples, and digital proofs to support product recommendations. Develop and present quarterly merchandise and product assortment plans that align with seasonal trends, guest preferences, and marketing campaigns; collaborate with the Manager, Guest Experience to gain approval and ensure alignment with brand strategy. Stay abreast of current shopping trends internally and externally, to support recommendations for new or changes to retail merchandise. Establish and maintain vendor relations, work with manager to seek competitive pricing balanced with highest quality goods and profit potential. Monitor sell-through report and re-order merchandise as determined by lead times. Conduct receiving-in procedures through quantity and quality inspection, ensuring items are accurately price-tagged with the support of Visitor Center Team. Update pricing changes for items as requested by manager. Assist with inventory and supplies for Four Roses' participation in onsite events and as necessary/directed for festivals and/or other offsite events.
Inventory Control
Adheres to inventory control procedures; works with VC Supervisors to train staff as needed. Conducts physical inventory quarterly cycle counts and annual inventory. Perform periodic audits as directed to ensure accuracy of inventory in system. Enter location transfers, damaged goods and internal transactions (Store 4), processing entries and record as required per SOP. Track Bourbon inventory for Visitor Center Barrels, Tastings and Guest Experiences. Order non-retail Visitor Center supplies as determined by Supervisors. Coordinate and deliver inventory and supply needs for Warehouse and Bottling Visitor Center. Provide monthly reports to Manager, Guest Experience as directed
E-commerce Platforms
Monitor daily orders and work in partnership with Visitor Center Supervisors to ensure orders are fulfilled, packed, and shipped within 3-5 business days. Work in conjunction with Consumer Advocacy department to add and update new items to retail e-commerce platform. Reply to consumer inquires and complaints for e-commerce transactions professionally and in a timely manner. Coordinate monthly e-comm products and promotions with Consumer Engagement Specialist to be featured in communications with consumers including but not limited to the Subscriber Newsletter and MMC Newsletter. Provide monthly reports on e-comm sales to Manager, Guest Experience, and Consumer Engagement Specialist. Partner with Consumer Engagement Specialist to annually evaluate Mellow Moments Club product offerings via e-commerce and make updates, as needed. Contribute to exploratory research in partnership with Manager, Guest Experience and Senior Manager, Consumer Advocacy & Engagement regarding innovation opportunities in e-commerce including but not limited to e-comm software platforms, fulfillment partners, and new product development.
Minor Responsibilities 10%
Retail Storefront
Assist Manager, Guest Experience with creating impactful and visually engaging, organized displays and implement seasonal updates: Works with brand team to ensure promotions are accurate and merchandised to the company's standards, Maintain visual merchandising signs and merchandising equipment and fixtures.
Guest Experiences
Engage and communicate with customers, may support retail/POS functions and assist with guest hospitality to positively represent the brand.
Marketing
Assists in Marketing related functions, events and activities as necessary.
Other Job Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Qualifications
Required Competencies
Ability to multi-task and prioritize, outstanding organizational and time management skills Ability to work well with others; team player, enthusiastic, energetic, and willing to pitch in and help wherever most needed; can support a team environment Flexibility, excellent communication skills, verbal and written, and open-mindedness is key Must have excellent verbal and non-verbal communication skills to effectively communicate with staff, vendors, co-workers and guests Displays self-initiative, motivated Technical capacity; learning orientation Ability to problem solve and analyze data Work independently while meeting multiple deadlines Top notch professional, trustworthy and highly ethical with a positive attitude Creativity, ability to recognize market trends & consumer expectations are crucial to the role Strong analytical skills
Required Education and Experience
Associate's degree in business administration, marketing, supply chain management or related field At least 2 years of experience as a retail buyer or procurement within a retail environment. Experience in inventory control and merchandising in a retail environment. Must be familiar and comfortable with POS/Inventory Control systems Demonstrated proficiency MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, SharePoint). Must be 21 years of age or older with valid driver's license
Preferred Education and Experience
Retail experience in spirits/tourism industries a plus Knowledge of Shopify Experience with Counterpoint
Job Related Information
Supervisory Responsibility
The Visitor Center Retail Buyer Specialist role has no direct reports.
Work Environment
While performing the duties of this job, will work primarily in a climate-controlled environment with minimal safety/health hazard potential. Walking, lifting, moving merchandise (overhead, waist level) from floor, bending, frequent near vision use for reading and computer use; frequent stressful conditions (cardiovascular). Limited sedentary work. Could be exposed to infrequent fumes or airborne particles, moving mechanical parts and vibration as could be expected in any OSHA compliant operation and may be occasionally exposed to a variety of extreme conditions in the distillery/warehouse/bottling environment.
Work Schedule, Location & Travel Requirements
The Visitor Center Retail Buyer Specialist works primarily from the Distillery location but will delegate time weekly to the Warehouse & Bottling Facility. Primary work schedule is Monday - Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Evenings and/or weekends may be required on occasion to facility floor resets, merchandising responsibilities, and physical inventory counts. Travel is required between Kentucky locations. Travel could be required to other sites, cities to learn more about specific or general operations, vendors, equipment, or methods. Travel required between Four Roses Distillery and Warehouse & Bottling Facility locations weekly, up to 30% of time. Additional travel for meetings, vendor relations and professional development may also be required.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. This position is very active and requires standing, walking, lifting, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and climbing stairs, as the job requires. The employee must work as team member in comparable work and actions. The employee may lift up to 50 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.