COP Buyer

About the role

Our company is seeking a dynamic COP Buyer to join the ranks of our growing Protein division. The COP Buyer reports into Purchasing Management, and aids the team in the procurement of a broad range of protein cuts, styles, grades, and categories. Candidates must possess Wholesale, Food Service, or Retail experience to be considered for this role.

Responsibilities

• Select vendors to procure from, based upon their ability to provide a continuous supply of product, service level, and responsiveness to market changes and the company’s requirements.
• Maintain item and vendor data management within Enterprise Resource Platform, on all items pertaining to Center of the Plate.
• Troubleshoot with internal departments and external vendors on invoicing, product, or delivery discrepancies to ensure quality service and longevity of relationships.
• Learn & utilize the company’s suite of solutions, ranging from Demand Planning, Canned Reporting, and Business Intelligence tools.
• Maintain & adhere to the company’s 98.5%+ fulfillment rate standards.
• Proactively plan for seasonality, supply chain constraints, market changes, and map out acceptable substitutes.
• Negotiate pricing, quantities, and deals according to customer needs. Manage deal buys in combination with efficient warehouse utilization.
• Routinely publish market reviews, in coordination with Purchasing Management.
• Stay up to date with the latest seasonal and market changes, educate and collaborate with related departments on developing new products & growing existing lines.
• Coordinate with Quality Control, Receiving, and Sales as it pertains to maintaining the highest quality standards, on-time deliveries, and industry leading fulfillment rates.
• Participate in weekly team meetings & ongoing educational series.
• Work with internal departments and external vendors on aging inventory as well as damaged items on inbound freight.
• Assist Purchasing Management with growth opportunities across the category including, but not limited to; assessing current selection and identifying opportunities for growth within the COP division across both domestic and imported products.
• Support the Sales team with product spec and pricing information, and provide recommendations on new and existing products.

Requirements

• 3+ years’ experience buying protein and related items.
• Strong knowledge and use of Microsoft Office Tools.
• Ability to multi-task many activities, projects and timelines.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Must be able to communicate with personnel at all levels of the organization including ownership.
• Self-starter with the ability to set priorities and goals and work to accomplish the goals.
• Strong negotiation skills.

Qualifications

Candidates must possess Wholesale, Food Service, or Retail experience to be considered for this role.