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: • Experience in purchasing, inclusive of order management and accounting reconciliation preferred but not required • Experience in a cross-functional, corporate environment preferred • Knowledge of group event industry a plus • Ability to travel as needed • Understanding of merchandise pricing (margin and/or mark-up) • Excellent skills with Microsoft Office products, including Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and Excel • Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy • Excellent organizational and time management skills • Superior oral and written communication skills. • Ability to work the time necessary to complete projects and/or meet deadlines.