Outova Director of Purchasing and Inventory Management Fort Worth, TX · Full time Company website

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Join Outova – Shaping the Future of Outdoor Living 

Outova is the ultimate destination for transforming outdoor spaces. As a collective of eight industry-leading companies, we offer 70,000+ products from 400+ premium brands, including furniture, turf, fire pits, outdoor kitchens, grills, and heaters. Our mission is to provide cutting-edge, high-quality solutions that redefine outdoor living. 

Headquartered in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, with operations in California and New York, we serve customers nationwide, helping them bring their dream outdoor spaces to life. From humble beginnings, we've grown into a premier distributor of hearth and outdoor living products, setting the industry standard for quality, innovation, and design. 

To learn more about us and the products we offer, visit www.outova.com. 

Director of Purchasing and Inventory Management 

Outova, headquartered in the Dallas/Fort Worth (Texas), Texas market, we are seeking a talented Director of Purchasing and Inventory Management.  

Position Overview: 

The Director of Purchasing and Inventory Management is responsible for leading our procurement operations and inventory control functions. This role will oversee the purchasing strategy, inventory planning, system optimization, and team development needed to ensure the right inventory is at the right place at the right time. The ideal candidate will have a deep background in inventory management systems, purchasing analytics, inventory turn optimization, and the proactive elimination of excess and obsolete stock, while driving efficiency, cost savings, and scalability. 

Key Responsibilities:  

Purchasing Leadership 

• Develop and execute comprehensive purchasing strategies that align with organizational goals for cost, quality, and delivery performance. 
• Lead, mentor, and grow a high-performing purchasing team, fostering a culture of accountability, diligence, and continuous improvement. 
• Negotiate supplier contracts to secure optimal terms while building strong supplier partnerships. 

Inventory Management 

• Oversee inventory planning and procurement processes to maintain targeted inventory levels, drive inventory turns, and ensure product availability. 
• Own the selection, implementation, and ongoing operation of inventory management systems, ensuring integration with ERP and business intelligence platforms. 
• Establish, track, and optimize key inventory metrics (e.g., inventory turns, service levels, stockouts, fill rates). 
• Proactively manage inventory to avoid excess and obsolete (E&O) buildup; develop strategies for timely disposition or prevention of obsolete stock. 

Analytics and Continuous Improvement 

• Build and maintain robust analytics dashboards for purchasing and inventory performance metrics. 
• Conduct regular inventory health reviews, demand forecasts, and procurement cycle audits to identify risks and opportunities. 
• Utilize data-driven insights to optimize purchasing decisions, supplier performance, and working capital efficiency. 

Cross-Functional Collaboration 

• Partner with Sales, Operations, Finance, and Product Management teams to align inventory plans with demand forecasts, promotional calendars, and product lifecycle strategies. 
• Support new product launches and transitions by aligning procurement and inventory plans with go-to-market strategies. 

Risk Management 

• Identify supply chain risks and develop mitigation strategies, including alternate sourcing options and safety stock frameworks. 
• Ensure compliance with company policies, legal regulations, and industry standards in all purchasing activities. 

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations, or related field (Master’s degree preferred). 
• 8+ years of progressive purchasing and inventory management experience, including leadership of purchasing or supply chain teams. 
• Expertise in inventory management system selection, implementation, and operational leadership (ERP and/or dedicated inventory platforms). 
• Strong financial acumen related to inventory valuation, working capital management, and purchasing cost analysis. 
• Proven track record of improving inventory turns, reducing E&O inventory, and driving measurable purchasing performance improvements. 
• Exceptional negotiation skills and supplier management experience. 
• Strong leadership, analytical, communication, and project management skills. 

Preferred Experience: 

• Experience in distribution, outdoor living products, consumer goods, manufacturing. 
• Familiarity with global sourcing, tariffs, and international logistics. 
• APICS or ISM certification (e.g., CPIM, CSCP, CPSM) is a plus. 

Physical Activities: 

Daily activity includes but is not limited to: 

• Prolonged periods working at a computer. 
• Occasional travel to vendor sites, trade shows, or distribution centers (domestic and international). 
• Ability to lift up to 45 lbs on occasion (e.g., product samples or materials). 

Compensation and Benefits: 

• Salaried: Competitive salary pay (exempt) and bonus opportunity commensurate with experience. 
• Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement savings plans, and paid time off.

Outova and its affiliates are equal opportunity employers and maintain affirmative action plans to recruit, retain, develop, and promote qualified individuals without unlawful consideration of race, gender, gender identity, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, citizenship status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. The company strives to maintain a work environment free from unlawful discrimination and harassment, where associates are treated with respect and dignity.