Christ Panos Foods is looking to add a produce buyer to our growing procurement team. The produce buyer will report directly to the Produce and Dairy Category Manager. This role is to maintain proper inventory levels, negotiate the best into stock cost with vendors, and ensure top quality produce is sourced for our customers. The ideal candidate for this position must have prior produce experience, excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong problem-solving skills, be willing to address issues with a sense of urgency, and willingness to work in a team environment.
Duties:
- Source produce direct from growers or local wholesalers
- Maintain assigned inventory levels for resale while ensuring satisfactory turnover and code dates
- Perform daily cooler walkthrough for quality inspections
- Responsible for quality assurance checks on inbound product deliveries from vendors as necessary
- Build and strengthen relationships internally, as well as within the vendor and the customer communities
- Maintain communication lines with sales team to trouble-shoot quality issues, promote and push the sale of products to increase sales and minimize spoilage
- Study market trends, interview vendors and recommend sources of supply
- Responsible for necessary follow-through on product price changes and allowances
- Other duties as assigned by manager
Skills:
- Must be able to work independently and take direction from manager
- Must have excellent attention to detail, with the ability to prioritize and meet deadlines
- Must be computer literate; proficient in Excel, Word, Outlook etc.
Requirements:
- 3-5 years' Experience and Knowledge of basic purchasing principles
- 3-5 years of experience with fresh produce
- Possess initiative to learn extensive and specialized knowledge of assigned product lines.