Buyer

Description

Purchasing & Supplier Management

• •Source and procure products from domestic and international suppliers to support customer demand and inventory requirements
• •Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers.
• •Negotiate product pricing, payment terms, freight arrangements, and service agreements.
• •Evaluate supplier performance related to quality, pricing, service, and fill rates.
• •Identify and qualify new supplier and product opportunities.
• •Review supplier allocations, shortages, and service issues while communicating impacts internally.

Inventory Management

• •Manage inventory levels to maintain product availability while controlling inventory costs.
• •Monitor inventory turns, aging inventory, and slow-moving items.
• •Establish reorder points, safety stock levels, and inventory targets.
• •Collaborate with warehouse and inventory control teams to improve inventory accuracy.
• •Work proactively to reduce stockouts, overstocks, and product waste.

Market Analysis & Commodity Monitoring

• •Monitor industry trends, commodity markets, supplier pricing, and market conditions impacting product cost and availability.
• •Research and analyze market intelligence to support purchasing decisions.
• •Identify opportunities to purchase strategically based on market conditions and demand forecasts.
• •Communicate market trends and pricing changes to management and sales teams.

Pricing & Margin Management

• •Maintain accurate product costs within company systems.
• •Review supplier price changes and update customer pricing as necessary.
• •Support company margin objectives through effective purchasing decisions.
• •Analyze product profitability and identify opportunities for margin improvement.
• •Provide cost and market information to support sales initiatives and customer quoting.

Purchase Order & Order Management

• •Create and maintain accurate purchase orders.
• •Review open purchase orders and follow up on overdue shipments.
• •Obtain shipping confirmations, proof of delivery, and supplier status updates.
• •Coordinate with suppliers to ensure orders are shipped and delivered as scheduled.
• •Maintain records of purchases, shipments, supplier communications, and related documentation.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• •Work closely with Sales, Customer Service, Warehouse Operations, Transportation, and Finance departments.
• •Communicate order status, product availability, shortages, and supplier updates.
• •Assist with customer returns, credits, substitutions, and supplier-related issues.
• •Support marketing programs, promotions, and special buying opportunities.
• •Partner with Accounts Payable to resolve invoice and pricing discrepancies.

Reporting & Administration

• •Generate and review purchasing, inventory, pricing, and supplier performance reports.
• •Maintain accurate product costs and purchasing records.
• •Track procurement metrics including inventory levels, fill rates, service levels, and margin performance.
• •Support budgeting, forecasting, and inventory planning activities.
• •Perform special projects and additional duties as assigned.

Requirements

• •3–5 years of purchasing, procurement and/or inventory management.
• •Strong negotiation and supplier relationship management skills.
• •Experience managing inventory and purchasing activities.
• •Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• •Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• •Intermediate to advanced Microsoft Excel knowledge.
• •Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred

• •Experience in foodservice, wholesale food distribution, grocery, meat/protein, or related industries.
• •Knowledge of commodity markets and food industry pricing trends.
• •Experience with ERP, inventory management, and purchasing systems.
• •Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Agriculture, Food Science, or related field.
• •Professional purchasing or supply chain certifications are a plus.

Core Competencies

• •Strategic Sourcing
• •Supplier Relationship Management
• •Negotiation
• •Inventory Planning & Control
• •Market & Commodity Analysis
• •Pricing & Margin Management
• •Data Analysis & Reporting
• •Attention to Detail
• •Problem Solving
• •Cross-Functional Collaboration
• •Time Management
• •Decision Making

Working Conditions

• •Primarily office environment.
• •Ability to sit and work at a computer for extended periods.
• •Occasionally move throughout warehouse and office locations.
• •Occasional travel to supplier facilities, trade events, or industry meetings as needed.
• •May require occasional evening or weekend work based on business needs.