Purchasing Coordinator

The Purchasing Coordinator aids the Purchasing Manager with the day-to-day operation of the purchasing department. The role is focused on ensuring that store management, vendor coordination, and brand representation flow seamlessly across internal systems and external audiences. In addition, this role will assist in purchasing for all NOLS locations at our branches worldwide.

Key Information

Final date to receive applications

Open Until Filled

Target Start Date

Two weeks after hiring

Location

NOLS HQ - Cirque Center

Wage

$17-19

Reports To

Purchasing Manager

Department

Finance

Position Type

Full Time, Non-Exempt

Benefits Eligible

Yes

What does a Purchasing Coordinator do?

The role reports directly to the Purchasing Manager and will help run purchasing operations, manage the NOLS Shopify store, and help with retail growth. Many of the duties of this role are listed below:

• Manage store inventory levels by placing orders, expediting existing orders, receiving orders, and tracking and reporting internal transfers and sales of products.
• Provide customer service via email or by phone to external customers and internal departments including special orders, returns, and other inquiries.
• Research new products and suppliers and make recommendations to the purchasing team, NOLS locations and other internal departments based on quality, price, and availability.
• Support NOLS' retail expansion by identifying opportunities to broaden and refresh product offerings in response to customer insights, campus needs, and evolving market trends.
• Contribute to the full lifecycle of product creation and sale-from concept and photography to Shopify publication.
• Support visual merchandising, signage, and digital updates for both the physical and online stores.
• Work with the finance department on accounting and monthly reporting.
• Maintain and organize physical and digital records.
• Contribute to ongoing system improvements that align with NOLS' procurement standards.
• Serve as secondary support to the Purchasing Manager for institutional orders and vendor coordination.
• Collaborate with the other departments on special projects and general marketing initiatives and to maintain consistency between store messaging and NOLS brand identity.
• Provide operational support for major events.
• Support giveaway programs and retail promotions.
• Collaborate with the marketing team on campaign development, storytelling, and photo/content sourcing.
• Assist in overseeing and provide backup support for the fulfillment functions (mailroom and online store).

In your first 6 months, you will:

• Learn and integrate into NOLS purchasing and fulfillment systems, gaining proficiency in inventory management, order workflows, vendor coordination, and record-keeping processes in order to identify early opportunities for efficiency and accuracy improvements.
• Develop a strong understanding of NOLS' retail strategy, product mix, and Shopify ecosystem, including how products move from concept to publication, to inform future goals for refreshing assortments and strengthening the online and physical store experience.
• Build cross-department relationships with marketing, finance, and campus teams to understand their needs and establish collaborative goals that improve communication, reporting, and fulfillment support.
• Assess opportunities for retail growth and operational refinement, laying out a 6-12-month roadmap for enhancing product offerings, improving merchandising and digital updates, supporting promotions and events, and elevating consistency with NOLS' brand identity.

What makes a great Purchasing Coordinator at NOLS?

We are looking for people who share our values and are keen to learn and develop their expertise. While our ideal candidate comes with the skills listed below, we expect to provide training and development support in some of the areas.

• Experience in customer service, both internally and externally, with excellent phone etiquette.
• Possesses the ability to work both as part of a team and independently, organize multiple duties, and prioritize workload in a rapidly changing and distracting work environment.
• Required skills include customer service experience, strong planning and logistics management, computer literacy, and excellent verbal and written communication.
• Attention to detail, accuracy, confidentiality required.
• NOLS work experience is helpful but not required.
• Demonstrates the ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs independently.

How to Apply

When prompted to upload your resume, please submit one PDF document that includes both your resume and cover letter combined.

If you have any questions during the application process, please reach out to the NOLS People Team at people team.

Who is NOLS?

NOLS is a nonprofit global wilderness school that strives to be the leading source and teacher of wilderness skills and leadership that serve people and the environment. Our community-staff, students, trustees, and alumni-shares a commitment to wilderness, education, leadership, safety, community, and…