Fresh Buyer II

About the role

Accountable for product quality, profitable procurement and timely delivery of products for assigned lines with multiple commodities across various growing regions. Works closely with Category Managers, Corporate Merchandising, Banner Merchants, and Region Personnel to achieve business goals, based on agreed upon strategies, grower/supplier relationships and contracts.

Responsibilities

• Reviews acquisition costs to ensure items purchased are at the lowest cost consistent with considerations of quality, reliability of source and urgency of need.
• Negotiates and secures ad lids with select commodities while revisiting quotes until desired costs are met.
• Affords procurement buyers with PO placement, purchases orders, claims and rejections on a select basis.
• Uses total demand when applicable to leverage costs and efficiencies.
• Affirms current inventory to determine order quantity.
• Completes forward buy research, analysis and makes recommendations to category manager.
• Completes purchase order input based on review of stock status report and safety stock levels.
• Works within the guidelines of product specifications but also identifies potential opportunities that might be outside of current business unit’s specifications.
• Writes detailed seasonal commodity action plans to procure excellent quality with solid vendor partners with strong service level for assigned categories.
• Obtains actionable intelligence to be “first to market.”
• Originates new items and new vendor discovery.
• Performs inspections of select commodities during critical harvest times ensuring quality and specifications are met.
• Conducts proactive searches of spot buys and produce market opportunities.
• Reviews monthly display planner to determine what inventory levels are needed to meet ad requirements.
• Conducts post-promotional reviews and analysis to determine if promotional requirements were met and if there were problem areas, develops solutions.
• Conducts logistics planning processes while ordering products to attain the best net product price possible.
• Manages inventory investment to attain projected category profitability.
• Supports corporate and region merchandising with procurement execution of contracts and agreements.
• Provides on-going intelligence and communication to aid in business decision making weather conditions, supply availability, premier growers, cost opportunities, innovation, spot buys, etc.
• Communicates field intelligence using the Weekly Market Updates and scheduled conference calls with the banners and procurement buyers.
• Provides feedback and recommendations of grower/supplier products and programs.
• Helps manage grower relationships based on region and retail banner requirements.
• Collaborates with procurement buyers and quality control.
• Reviews and resolving pre-books/scan-based issues received from stores or division personnel, may require reordering product or accepting product returns from stores.
• Completes quarterly scorecard to assess whether inventory, service level and category profitability were attained.
• Reviews and analyzes daily and weekly reports to check service levels and inventory turns, adjusts as needed.
• Conducts loss prevention reviews and recommends package changes to the category team.
• Visit stores, as needed, to monitor programs, obtain store feedback and to assess overall implementation effectiveness as needed.
• Approves Accounts Payable variance processes for distribution sourced items to ensure correct prices have been invoiced.
• Solves store billing questions by interfacing with distribution and store associates.
• Solves store distribution issues by acting as a liaison with the Transportation department and store associates.
• Maintains all necessary department files and records.
• Maintains assigned SKU integrity maintenance in system.
• Coordinates with Warehouse Operations to maintain the proper product flow through the facility, in a timely manner.
• Performs daily duties with highest ethical business standards and practices.
• Mets or exceeds defined business measures.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Education/ Certifications: Degree in Business, Marketing or related field or relevant experience of marketing, accounting and financial management practices preferred. Store department managerial experience preferred.
• Experience: This is the mid-level buying position, at least 2 years buying experience preferred.
• Knowledge/Skills/ Abilities: Strong understanding of store operations and merchandising methodologies and practices. Agricultural experience in large scale farming, growing operation or agricultural inspection required. Understanding of procurement, logistics and inventory management practices. Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, experience in taking initiative and making appropriate decisions. Planning and organizing skills. Written and verbal communication skills as well as interpersonal skills to develop and maintain effective business relationships within and outside the Company. Strategy development skills. Relationship management skills. Familiarity with Category Business Planning. Computer aptitude with the ability to use spreadsheet and word-processing software. Good judgment is required for this position as there may be times when direct supervision may not be immediately available.