Job Details

Procure Supply Spec 3

Position Number: 6375406
Location: Cheney, WA
Position Type: Business - Management

Procure Supply Spec 3

About Eastern Washington University:

Eastern Washington University, a regional, comprehensive public university with an enrollment of over 10,000 students, is one of six state-funded four-year institutions of higher education in Washington, each governed by its own board of trustees. As the regions polytechnic, we are recognized for our distinctive approach to hands-on learning that leads to in-demand careers. EWUs 300-acre main campus is located in Cheney, a community of 12,000 residents 16 miles southwest of Washingtons second largest city, Spokane. Eastern also offers programs in downtown Spokane at the innovative, energy-efficient Catalyst building, the SIERR building which is a hub for research, development and advancement of health sciences, and at Riverpoint, a campus shared with Washington State University. In addition, EWU programs can be found at select locations throughout the state, aligned with the needs of the community. Eastern contributes to the vitality of the region and the state through its wide array of bachelors and masters degrees in over 100 fields of study, as well as applied doctorates in physical therapy and educational leadership, offering accessible pathways to career success and personal development to students of all socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.

Eastern Washington University has been recognized for its commitment to helping undergraduate students learn, grow and succeed by Colleges of Distinction, a nationally trusted resource guide for college-bound students. The honor recognizes Eastern as a 24-25 College of Distinction (CoD).

Money magazine recently named EWU as one of its Best Colleges in America 2024.

Tribal Land Acknowledgement
At Eastern Washington University, we are proud to recognize the land of the Spokane Tribe and other tribes that shared the land for fishing and trading. The Spokane Tribe, Coeur dAlene Tribe, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, the Kalispel Tribe, and the Nez Perce Tribe are integral to the cultural heritage and traditional ethnological knowledge of the land.

Native American heritage is woven into the fabric of our institution, enriching our community through tribal culture, historical teachings, and tribal language, and is embraced daily by students, staff, faculty, and the Eastern Washington community.

At EWU, we are committed to reflecting on and acknowledging the historical injustices of genocide and the forced removal of tribal peoples and all our relatives. EWU recognizes and honors tribal sovereignty and government to government relationships with tribes.

From here forward, EWU will remain committed to supporting, honoring, and recognizing the Native American community and the dynamic contributions that are shared with our university.

Job Summary:

This position is directly responsible for managing vendor relationships, merchandise procurement, and inventory management of assigned product categories to support the success of the Eagle Store. This role handles product selection, purchasing, and vendor negotiations to ensure high-quality merchandise that aligns with customer demand, branding guidelines, and licensing requirements. This position is responsible for an annual inventory averaging $1 million across assigned product categories and reports to the Eagle Store Director.

EWU is committed to supporting and promoting a workforce that is welcoming to all and encourages applicants of all backgrounds to apply for this position.

The salary for this position is $56,928 (minimum) up to $71,148. Where the hired candidate will begin within this range is dependent on education, experience, and skills. In addition to salary, the university offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance and disability insurance and retirement. In addition, EWU offers generous vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays per year and fringe benefits, such as tuition waiver for employees and eligible family members, discounted EWU sports tickets, full access to our campus workout facilities at a minimum fee and free transportation through STA buses. For additional information regarding insurance benefits please see our Benefits page: https://inside.ewu.edu/hr/benefits/insurance/ .

Eastern Washington University provides an inclusive, equitable, and transformative learning experience, driving the pursuit of knowledge with affordable academic excellence.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelors degree or equivalent 2 years of experience as a purchaser
2 years of demonstrated experience in purchasing cycles, vendor sourcing, or product assortment planning
Ability to effectively manage multiple priorities with competing deadlines, paying attention to detail, established goals, and produce desired results
Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills to work within a diverse community, to establish and maintain good working relationships
Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, customer service-based environment
Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Google Docs
Candidate must demonstrate interest, ability and/or experience promoting cultural competency, universal accessibility and/or diversity.

Preferred Qualifications:

Bachelors degree in preferred fields: business administration, management, operations, analytics, marketing, or related field
Understanding of inventory management and POS systems
Knowledge of branding and licensing requirements related to collegiate merchandise
Ability to analyze sales trends, manage stock levels, and make data-driven purchasing decisions
Experience in retail merchandising or displays

Other Skills and Abilities:

Job Duties:
Vendor Relations & Procurement

Manage multiple vendors to procure quality merchandise, ensuring compliance with licensing requirements, and campus branding.
Foster strong vendor relationships through trust, reliability, clear expectations, and effective negotiation.
Write orders for clothes, EWU gifts, and other product categories. while considering:
- Graphic design variations, colors, and fonts
- Minimum order quantities and delivery timelines
- Sales history when re-ordering products
- Product variety and open-to-buy dollars
- Alignment with university goals such as sustainability, belonging, and campus engagement.
Identify and leverage available discounts, incentives, and special buying opportunities to secure the best pricing and assure cost-effective purchasing.
Monitor order accuracy and quality, promptly following up to resolve any discrepancies, damages, errors, or shortages, and ensuring timely resolution through credits or product replacement.
Research new product opportunities, evaluating industry trends and customer demand, to enhance retail operations and improve sales performance.
Source and select products to create special promotions, strategically targeting customer interest and maximizing sales.
Be attentive to campus and community events, identifying strategic opportunities for special merchandise purchases.
Manage special orders for campus departments.

Percent of Time: 45

Inventory Management & Analysis

Strategically plan purchases and manage inventory levels for assigned product categories, aligning with the open-to-buy plan and sales goals to maintain optimal stock levels.
Analyze monthly sales and inventory data to assess stock performance, ensure alignment with targets, and identify pricing strategies and promotional opportunities.
Analyze departmental cost complements to sustain margin levels and maximize profitability.
Develop markdown plans, evaluating the viability of slow-moving stock and determining the appropriate timing and depth of markdowns, in accordance with store procedures.
Prepare SKUs, write purchase orders and process receiving paperwork and invoices to maintain accurate and timely inventory records.
Communicate with Eagle Store accounts payable staff for accounting needs.
Ensure timely receipt and placement of merchandise on the sales floor to capitalize on sales opportunities.
Oversee annual physical inventory counts and reconciliation for assigned categories, ensuring accuracy and integrity of records.

Percent of Time: 25

Merchandising & Marketing

Facilitate the Team Shop and Eagle Store off-site pop-up shops, including Grad Fair, commencements, sporting events, and other events.
- Plan and organize merchandise selection, fixtures, POS, and other necessary materials.
- Maintain accurate inventory records for merchandise selection both before and after off-site events.
- Communicate staffing needs to the scheduler.
- Oversee logistics, including trucking, space reservations, and other operational requirements.
Manage off-site merchandise displays at locations such as the EWU Visitor Center and University Relations office.
- Plan and execute display arrangements to create an engaging presentation.
- Maintain an up-to-date inventory list of display items.
- Refresh displays quarterly to keep them current.
- Coordinate with site staff as needed to ensure smooth operations.
Be involved in store merchandising and sales floor layout to continuously enhance the customer shopping experience and drive customer traffic.
Collaborate with Eagle Store staff on product displays, offering ideas that attract customers and highlight new, seasonal, or featured merchandise, to keep the store looking fresh and dynamic.
Contribute to the development of effective and cohesive signage throughout the store to support merchandising efforts, enhance product visibility, and guide customer decision-making.
Work with the Eagle Store marketing team to coordinate promotional events, sales campaigns, and promotion of key product assortments. Offer insights on the timing and structure of events, sales, discounts, and promotions.
Acquire advertising materials, product samples, and cooperative advertising funds from vendors to support promotions and special sales.
Serve as a backup for the Eagle Store website, including online order processing, customer follow-ups, and updating promotional codes.

Percent of Time: 20

Customer Service & Store Operations

Provide exceptional customer service by assisting customers with product inquiries, providing recommendations, and ensuring a positive and welcoming shopping experience.
This position may supervise/direct part time staff.
Research and resolve customer inquiries, including special orders, complaints, and policy exceptions.
Build and maintain professional relationships with campus faculty, staff, and administration.
Support daily store operations, including operating a cash register, and assisting with store opening and closing, as needed.
Collaborate with campus stores and industry professionals to exchange insights, best practices, and emerging industry trends.
Attend store related meetings and participate in related campus committees and activities.
Attend trade shows, conferences, and training sessions, as needed to stay informed.
Perform other related duties as assigned

Percent of Time: 10
Conditions of Employment:

This position, during the course of university employment will be involved in the receipt of, or accountability for, university funds or other items of value, as well as the unsupervised access with the developmentally disabled, vulnerable adults or children under the age of 16. The offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion and passing of a background check prior to beginning employment.

All new employees must comply with EWU Immunization Policy 602-02 and provide proof of immunity or vaccination to MMR before beginning work at EWU. Waivers for the immunization requirements are available for medical or sincerely held religious beliefs.

This position is covered by the Public School Employees of Washington Collective Bargaining Agreement: https://in.ewu.edu/hr/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2021/07/Eastern-Washington-University-PSE-CBA-2021-2024-FINAL.pdf

After starting employment, employees will complete the required training. Online training can be accessed at https://inside.ewu.edu/hr/training/orientation/ or complete the training in person or via Zoom. In person and Zoom training opportunities will be posted on InsideEWU and are listed on our Human Resources site: https://inside.ewu.edu/hr/training/

Note: Interviews might be conducted via Zoom (camera must be enabled). If so, candidates must be able to demonstrate competence using Zoom and other technologies.

Salary Information:
Posting Date: 07/14/2025
Open Until Further Notice: No
Closing Date: 7/28/2025
Screening to Begin: 7/30/2025

Special Instructions to Applicants:
Submit your application materials through our online applications portal provided below. If you are unable to submit through the applicant portal, please contact Human Resources Services at (509) 359-2381.

To apply, visit https://jobs.hr.ewu.edu/postings/13760