FOB Produce Buyer

About the role

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.

Responsibilities

• Analyze daily inventory reports to maintain appropriate inventory levels, minimize out of stock issues, address excess and/or aged inventory, and determine optimal order quantities.
• Select and buys product based on procurement programs, quality, vendor partnerships, promotional activity, and other relevant factors.
• Develop and implement strategies to maximize gross profit by coordinating sales, gross margin, inventory turns, and managing costs.
• Recommend and manage merchandise strategies for assigned categories, collaborating with sales to identify and exploit merchandising opportunities, and proposing programs & plans for supervisor approval.
• Evaluate and select vendors while negotiating product costs.
• Establish and maintain mutually beneficial vendor relationships.
• Identify new business opportunities aligned with short and long-term business strategies.
• Affiliate with vendor rebate reconciliation and resolve vendor claims related to consigned or protected products.
• Follow established best practices and processes.
• Consistently demonstrate ownership of and responsibility for items managed and one’s results.
• Affiliate with projects and tasks as assigned by the Regional Procurement Manager and/or Procurement Supervisors.

Requirements

• Minimum of 3-5 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.
• 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.

Qualifications

• Desired Qualifications: Minimum Qualifications, In-depth knowledge of fresh produce commodities, Ability to travel to Mexico, High School diploma, Proficiency in PC skills, Demonstrated proficiency in negotiation techniques, Background in inventory management, Exceptional teamwork skills, Strong basic math skills, Excellent ability to manage multiple tasks, Effective prioritization skills, Deadline management, Highly effective interpersonal skills, Bi-lingual, Spanish preferred, Ability to travel to Mexico, 3-4 times per year as needed to visit vendors.