Buyer

Company Description

Charlie’s Produce is a privately owned wholesale produce company. We are the largest privately owned produce wholesaler on the West Coast, and we are growing. The secret to our success in this industry is PEOPLE! We strive to hire the best and we reward them with a working environment that fosters loyalty, stability, innovation, and growth. Charlie’s was founded in quality, and we are proud that it is still our focus.

Job Description

The Role
We are seeking an individual who possesses a genuine passion for sourcing the finest produce, cultivating mutually advantageous partnerships with growers, and actively contributing to the creation of value for both our customers and the organization. This role entails the identification and acquisition of both conventional and organic products, catering to our Retail, Wholesale, and Food Service customers. Reporting to the Regional Procurement Manager and Procurement Supervisor, this team member will collaborate with fellow buyers to achieve well managed inventories.

• Analyzing daily inventory reports to maintain appropriate inventory levels, minimize out of stock issues, address excess and/or aged inventory, and determine optimal order quantities.
• Selecting and buying product based on procurement programs, quality, vendor partnerships, promotional activity, and other relevant factors.
• Developing and implementing strategies to maximize gross profit by coordinating sales, gross margin, inventory turns, and managing costs.
• Recommending and managing merchandise strategies for assigned categories, collaborating with sales to identify and exploit merchandising opportunities, and proposing programs & plans for supervisor approval.
• Evaluating and selecting vendors while negotiating product costs.
• Establishing and maintaining mutually beneficial vendor relationships.
• Identifying new business opportunities aligned with short and long-term business strategies.
• Assisting in vendor rebate reconciliation and resolving vendor claims related to consigned or protected products.
• Following established best practices and processes.
• Consistently demonstrating ownership of and responsibility for items managed and one’s results.

Essential Responsibilities Include, but Not Limited To:

• Assisting in vendor rebate reconciliation and resolving vendor claims related to consigned or protected products.
• Following established best practices and processes.
• Consistently demonstrating ownership of and responsibility for items managed and one’s results.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in purchasing fresh produce, with a proven track record in expediting and handling administrative tasks associated with fresh produce procurement.
• In-depth knowledge of fresh produce commodities, FOB and related non-produce product lines.
• Ability to travel to Mexico
• Educational requirement: High School diploma. Proficiency in PC skills, including Excel, Word, Outlook, and 10-key.
• Demonstrated proficiency in negotiation techniques.
• Background in inventory management, including forecasting and planning.
• Exceptional teamwork skills with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced work environment and a willingness to support all team members within the department.
• Strong basic math skills, including the capability to quickly calculate cases, pallets, product costs, and margins.
• Excellent ability to manage multiple tasks and the capacity to excel under pressure in day-to-day operations.
• Effective prioritization skills, deadline management, and the ability to achieve team goals with flexibility in workdays and hours.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills.
• Highly effective interpersonal skills for communication with vendors, customers, and colleagues.
• Bi-lingual, Spanish preferred.
• Ability to travel to Mexico, 3-4 times per year as needed to visit vendors.

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
This is a safety-sensitive position.
This employer participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration and if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.
We do not provide H1-B sponsorships at this time.
Please note that the pay range provided is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Actual compensation will be dependent on factors, including but not limited to, the individual’s qualifications, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as physical work location within the state.
For additional protected privacy information please visit: Privacy Policy | Charlie's Produce (charliesproduce.com)
Charlie's Produce is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Visit our Employment Page for more details or to view our privacy center: https://www.charliesproduce.com/careers/
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