Purchasing & Operations Lead

Join Sprout School Supplies, a top-rated provider of fully customized, prepackaged back-to-school supply kits for schools and districts nationwide. We're looking for a dependable and motivated Purchasing & Operations Lead to help coordinate our purchasing, inventory, quoting and production operations. Based at our Topeka production facility, you'll work closely with warehouse and production teams and collaborate with Sales, Marketing, IT, and leadership to keep operations running smoothly and meet our business goals. We're willing to train the right person. We’re looking for someone who is organized, takes initiative, builds strong relationships, and consistently follows through on commitments. If you’re eager to learn, enjoy solving problems, and want to make a meaningful impact on a growing business, we’d love to meet you. Key Responsibilities Purchasing & Vendors: Maintain our product database, coordinate vendor relationships, research sourcing options, analyze costs, and prepare purchasing recommendations for leadership approval. Track approved purchases and flag cost or supply risks. Inventory & Production: Support inventory forecasting, purchase order tracking, receiving accuracy, production planning, work order creation, and timely kit delivery. Assist with inventory audits and cycle counts. Quoting & Sales Support: Prepare accurate, customized quotes for school accounts using teacher-approved supply lists. Partner with Sales Reps to evaluate product alternatives and support account growth. Operational Coordination: Serve as a key onsite resource for operational questions and coordinate across warehouse, Production, Sales, Marketing, and IT to keep priorities and timelines aligned. Reporting & Improvement: Provide regular updates on operational performance, identify issues early, recommend solutions, and help improve processes, accuracy, and efficiency. What We’re Looking For Reliable and accountable: Follows through on commitments, meets deadlines, and takes ownership of work. Proactive and organized: Manages competing priorities, anticipates needs, and moves projects forward without constant direction. Collaborative and trustworthy: Communicates openly, builds positive working relationships, and handles disagreements professionally. Sound judgement: Raises concerns constructively, respects approved decisions, and knows when to seek guidance or approval. Adaptable and eager to learn: Welcomes feedback, develops new skills, and remains solutions-oriented when priorities change Required Skills: Strong communication, organization, attention to detail, and problem-solving abilities; intermediate Excel skills; proficiency in Word and Outlook. Preferred qualifications: Experience in purchasing, operations, inventory management, project coordination, or sales support. Familiarity with NetSuite or other ERP systems is a plus. Direct experience in every area is not required—we're willing to invest in the right person. Seasonal Expectations Our business has a seasonal cycle, with significantly higher activity leading into and throughout back-to-school season. The successful candidate must be comfortable adapting to changing priorities, working under pressure, and contributing the additional focus and effort needed during peak periods. How Success Is Measured Success means becoming a trusted onsite partner who helps Sprout achieve its operational and financial targets. This includes accurate and timely execution, responsible purchasing coordination, early communication of risks, strong cross-functional relationships, and consistent follow-through on agreed priorities. Compensation & Benefits Annual salary: $40,000–$55,000, depending on experience. Benefits include: Health Insurance (Medical, Dental, Vision), Medical and Dental Reimbursement, Flexible Spending Plans (FSA), Paid Time Off (PTO), Life Insurance, Short and Long-term Disability, 401K plan with company match, Fitness Reimbursement, Ch…

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