Job Description:
Safeway Albertsons is seeking a Produce Procurement Manager for its Houston, TX location.
The Produce Procurement Manager is responsible for the efficient procurement of the Produce and Floral categories as assigned for the Distribution Center. You will also coordinate all buying activities to ensure achievement of all departmental, distribution center, and company sales and profit objectives, as well as ensure that the highest standards of professional integrity are maintained throughout the assigned department.
Compensation/Salary:
DOE
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in related field, or equivalent work experience.
- ISM Certified Purchasing Manager or American Purchasing Society-Certified Purchasing Professional preferred.
- Retail produce experience required.
- 5 – 10 years of people management experience.
- Minimum of 7 plus years of produce procurement experience in the retail industry, to include FOB purchasing and an understanding of fresh produce quality specifications.
- Preferred experience with a major grocery retailer chain in purchasing, or strategic sourcing role with responsibility for working with major national vendors as well as local and regional growers.
- Must understand PACA regulations, COOL requirements, food safety and traceability as it pertains to fresh produce.
- Strong organizational, analytical skills, oral and written communication skills, planning, organizing and negotiating skills.
- Proficiency in PC systems required including I-trade.
- Strong understanding of commodity markets, analytical and problem solving skills. Ability to make appropriate decisions.
- Must have the ability to represent the Company’s interests in negotiations with outside professionals and suppliers.
- Working knowledge of procurement, logistics, inventory management, marketing, accounting and financial management.
- Demonstrated people leader: build strong relationships, hire great people, growth of individuals on team and lead by example.
- Travel Requirements: 5% to 10%.
Allowance for relocation expenses for the right candidate
Responsibilities & Duties:
- Obtain best possible product quality at competitive pricing at all times.
- Develop and maintain professional working relationships with Division personnel to facilitate beneficial communications related to products and promotional activity to procurement team and DC operations.
- Provide overall department goal setting and direction based on key performance indicators.
- Interface with other department heads and division personnel to accomplish job functions.
- Develop and maintain effective working relationships with growers, vendors, logistics companies, store operations, distribution center and division office.
- Attend key meetings to maintain awareness of programs and issues providing relevant department information in support of fundamental and strategic programs.
- Ensure that established Company procedures are understood and adhered to by all buying staff.
- Participates in developing and managing Distribution P&L by conducting analysis and providing relevant procurement data.
- Monitor and manage departmental results to identify solutions and recommend corrective actions based projections.
- Review and analyze operating reports with buying staff and take appropriate action when necessary.
- Visit stores, as needed, to monitor programs, obtain store feedback and assess overall implementation effectiveness.
- Remote access (buying system) from home or off site location when necessary.
- Manage vendor adherence to product specifications through distribution center audits and tests.
- Monitor key commodity markets and provide forecast information to sales managers in support of future market dynamics.
- Work with Corporate Procurement team on strategic programs where applicable to implement overall best practices.
