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.