Produce Buyer

Job description

Jetro/Restaurant Depot has a unique and exciting opportunity in our fresh protein category as a buyer. This position offers the opportunity to work in a fast-paced, growth-focused culture, an opportunity for continuous advancement within the organization and a competitive compensation and benefits package. This position will report to the Category Manager and work closely with the Vice President of Purchasing.

**Job description**:

- Ordering products to meet forecasted demand, while minimizing loss on perishable inventory
- Obtain best possible product costs, quality, and service always.
- Ensure that established policies and procedures are understood and adhered to.
- Strive to obtain inventory and turn goals, while maintaining service level and minimizing distress
- Interface with other departments and division personnel to accomplish job functions is necessary. Develop and maintain good working relationships with vendors, store operations, distribution center, and division office personnel.
- Review acquisition costs to ensure items purchased are at the lowest cost consistent with considerations of quality, reliability of source, and urgency of need.
- Assess current inventory, market conditions, availability, and promotional impact to forecast order quantities and make recommendations to the merchandising team.
- Conduct post-promotional reviews and analysis to determine if promotional requirements were met and develop solutions for problem areas.
- Review and resolve inventory issues at store level because of allocations or order issues.
- Review and analyze daily and weekly reports to monitor costs, quality, service level, inventory turns, and distress and make adjustments as needed.
- Visit stores, as needed, to monitor programs, obtain store feedback and to assess overall implementation effectiveness.
- Manage Accounts Payable variance processes for distribution sourced items to ensure correct prices have been invoiced.
- Resolve store billing questions by researching discrepancies submitted at store level with Store Billing and entering credits where appropriate or providing resolution.
- Maintain all necessary department files and records.
- Coordinate with Warehouse Operations to maintain the proper product flow through the facility, in a timely manner.
- Remote access (buying system) from home or off-site location when necessary.

**Qualifications**:

- Minimum of 2 years of Purchasing or Vendor Management experience in industry or retail: specialization in a perishable/short shelf-life category is strongly preferred.
- Marketing/Logistics experience, merchandising methodologies, are preferred.
- Understanding and proven experience with procurement, logistics, inventory management, marketing, accounting, and financial management practices.
- Excellent organizational and analytical skills; ability to take initiative and make data-driven decisions.
- An understanding of USDA market reports as well as general knowledge of the agricultural industry is preferred.
- Ability to plan and organize effectively.
- Written and verbal communication skills as well as interpersonal skills to develop and maintain effective business relationships both internally and externally.
- Strong computer aptitude in MS Office including Word and Excel.
- Ability to thrive in an environment where multitasking is the norm.

Pay frequency:

- Every other week

Management:

- Team Lead

Employees working per shift:

- 10 or more

Typical end time:

- 4-5PM

Typical start time:

- 6-8AM

Supplemental pay types:

- Bonus pay

**Experience**:

- Proficiency in all Microsoft office programs
- Procurement experience is required, supply chain experience strongly preferred

Work Remotely
- In office, 1x week eligibility after probationary period

Pay: $60,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year

**Benefits**:

- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Vision insurance

**Education**:

- Bachelor's (preferred)

**Experience**:

- Microsoft Excel: 1 year (preferred)
- Purchasing: 2 years (preferred)

Work Location: In person

Pay: From $60,000.00 per year

**Benefits**:

- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance

Schedule:

- 8 hour shift
- Day shift
- Monday to Friday

Ability to Relocate:

- Chicago, IL 60642: Relocate before starting work (required)

Work Location: In person