Buyer

About the role

The Buyer is responsible for procuring and managing assigned fresh, chilled, frozen, and perishable food products to ensure product availability, customer satisfaction, and company profitability. This role owns supplier relationships, inventory planning, purchasing execution, cost management, and cross-functional communication.

Responsibilities

• Manage purchasing activities for assigned product categories.
• Place accurate purchase orders within required lead times.
• Maintain optimal inventory while minimizing spoilage and out-of-stocks.
• Forecast demand using historical trends, sales forecasts, seasonality, and market conditions.
• Develop and maintain supplier relationships while negotiating pricing, service levels, and programs.
• Resolve supplier quality, service, pricing, and delivery issues.
• Cookordination with Sales, Warehouse, Transportation, Customer Service, Operations, and Accounting.
• Maintain accurate ERP purchasing records and documentation.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and strengthen supplier performance.

Requirements

• Minimum three (3) years of food service procurement experience with fresh, chilled, frozen, and/or perishable food products.
• Experience in supplier management, inventory planning, and purchasing.
• Strong negotiation, analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Intermediate to advanced Microsoft Excel and ERP system experience.
• Able to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, or related field.
• Dairy, refrigerated food, or commodity purchasing experience.
• Professional purchasing or supply chain certification (CPSM, CSCP, APICS) preferred.

Skills

• Ownership and accountability for assigned categories.
• Communication of potential issues before they impact customers or operations.
• Presentation of solutions, not simply problems.
• Consistent meeting of deadlines and following through on commitments.
• Collaboration as a team player across all departments.
• Maintenance of professional relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders.

Benefits

• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Sick Leave
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Profit Sharing
• Six Paid Holidays annually

Pay

TBD

Schedule

Monday-Friday onsite position.