Atlas Stationers has been a fixture in downtown Chicago since 1939, serving fountain pen enthusiasts and stationery lovers through our Lake Street retail store, our Shopify Plus website, and social media channels. We're a close-knit, growing team that takes pride in curating the best in writing instruments, paper goods, and stationery.
We're looking for a detail oriented Purchaser to manage the day-to-day flow of inventory into Atlas Stationers. From placing purchase orders with existing vendors to scouting the next great product our customers don't know they need yet, you'll be the connective tissue between our vendors and our retail, online, and event channels, making sure the right products arrive at the right time and at the right cost.
Create, issue, and track purchase orders across our vendor base, ensuring accurate quantities, costs, and delivery timelines
Monitor inventory levels and sales trends to determine reorder timing and quantities across retail, online, and pen show channels
Research and evaluate new products and brands to bring into the Atlas catalog, keeping our assortment fresh and on-trend
Build and maintain strong vendor relationships, including negotiating pricing, terms, and minimum order quantities
Communicate with vendors on order status, backorders, discontinued items, and new product launches
Partner with the merchandising, retail, fulfillment, and content teams to plan for new arrivals, seasonal buys, and promotional events
Troubleshoot receiving discrepancies and resolve order issues with vendors
Track vendor performance (fill rates, lead times, quality) and flag issues as they arise
Stay current on industry trends, trade shows, and emerging brands in the stationery and fountain pen space
2+ years of experience in purchasing, buying, or vendor management, ideally in a retail environment
Strong organizational skills and comfort managing many purchase orders and vendor relationships at once
Solid negotiation skills and a good eye for margin and cost management
Experience with inventory or purchasing software (Shopify experience a plus)
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
A genuine interest in stationery, fountain pens, or specialty retail is a big plus
Ability to work on-site in our Loop office/retail location
Benefits:
Health insurance
Paid time off (PTO)
401(k) with company match
Employee discount