Job Summary
The Buyer is responsible for planning, scheduling, negotiating, sourcing, and procurement of fresh produce consistent with company policies and procedures. This position ensures the continuous flow of product in the most efficient and cost-effective manner by managing the supply chain.
Job Description
- Coordinate and identify suppliers of product, negotiate weekly price and quantity terms, and establish long-term contracts to ensure adequate supply of high-quality products for Foodservice Distribution at competitive prices. Maintain established service levels for product in-stock. Assist with special order requests. Functions as a team member within the department and organization, as required, and performs any duty assigned to best serve the company.
- Select vendors based upon their ability to provide a continuous supply of product; overall service level; responsiveness to the market as shown through product innovation; quality and value of product; relationships with competitors; and their understanding of the marketplace.
- Maintain relationships with vendors by resolving problems with invoicing, product, or delivery to ensure quality service and longevity of relationships.
- Select product based upon application to our market, product performance, alternate sources of supply, and overall reputation of vendor.
- Negotiate prices and quantities ordered based upon customer orders, economic order point (volume discount vs. efficient utilization of warehousing space), promotion of product, and overall market conditions.
- Negotiate long-term contracts based upon same considerations and need for continuous supply.
- Provides product and pricing information to sales force and make recommendations regarding pricing structure for product lines based upon volume and margin considerations.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Accountabilities
- Plan, prepare, and process daily requisitions and purchase orders to support production needs, and expedite orders to support production needs.
- Demonstrate effective collaboration skills by open communication and sharing pertinent business information.
- Establish and maintain order policies and lead times for products, and request pricing quotes from suppliers to determine the best supply source.
- Identify and qualify new or alternate product sources, represent the company successfully, and exercise flexibility in their approach to negotiations with suppliers.
- Review suppliers to ensure they understand the quality and delivery requirements.
- Maintain flexibility, high quality, and competitive pricing in the supplier base.
- Anticipate potential problems and risks, and generate ideas, insight, and solutions to resolve problems.
- Analyze supplier performance and negotiate lead time reduction and/or stocking programs with suppliers to reduce inventory burden.
Requirements
- 3-5 years of fresh produce purchasing experience in a produce foodservice, wholesale, or retail environment
- Knowledge of product and service vendor sources
- Knowledge of purchasing procedures and practices
- Ability to analyze varying product and service features, prices, and qualities, and determine the most cost-effective purchase for the organization
- Strong negotiation and communication skills
- Good time management and attention to detail
- Excellent organization skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office
Physical Demands/ Work Environment
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
- This position works in an office environment with moderate to high noise levels.
- Individual sits for long periods of time while operating a keyboard and communicating via telephone.
- May involve standing/walking as needed primarily on a level surface throughout the day.
- May include lifting things up to 30 pounds, on occasion.
Benefits
- Medical Benefits
- Vision
- Dental
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Sick Days
- Paid Holidays
- 401K
EEO Statement
Performance Food Group and/or its subsidiaries (individually or collectively, the "Company") provides equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all applicants and employees, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations. Please click on the following links to review: (1) our EEO Policy; (2) the "EEO is the Law" poster and supplement; and (3) the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.
