Culinary Buyer I

Culinary Buyer I

Location:

Austin, Texas (Onsite)

Role Overview

This position is responsible for supporting a private-label and exclusive-brand product development team within the grocery business. The Culinary Buyer will play a critical role in keeping product development efforts moving by ensuring ingredients, packaging, inventory, and culinary resources are available to the team when needed. The role involves a combination of administrative purchasing responsibilities and hands-on operational work in a collaborative and innovative environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage ingredient and product replenishment through approved purchasing channels.
• Utilize multiple ordering systems to source and schedule deliveries.
• Support the procurement of product samples for new product development initiatives.
• Monitor production plans and adjust purchasing strategies accordingly.
• Source ingredients from alternative suppliers or local stores when necessary.
• Receive, inspect, and organize daily deliveries and shipments, maintaining logs and trackers.
• Monitor inventory levels, freshness standards, and product rotation, and conduct periodic audits.
• Support the daily operations of the Culinary Excellence Center, including facility upkeep and cleanliness.
• Purchase and transport ingredients required for recipe development and support culinary team events.

Required Qualifications

• A minimum of 2 years of experience working with food products, ingredients, grocery, culinary operations, hospitality, or related environments.
• A minimum of 2 years of experience using online ordering, inventory, purchasing, or procurement systems.
• A minimum of 1 year of experience in purchasing, inventory management, receiving, or supply operations.
• Proven ability to work autonomously in a fast-paced environment, prioritizing multiple tasks while meeting deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Culinary or food service experience.
• Production kitchen, restaurant, catering, commissary, or grocery operations background.
• Experience supporting chefs, culinary teams, or food product development.
• A strong ownership mentality and the ability to identify priorities without direct supervision.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills.

Work Environment

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
• Must be able to bend, reach, squat, twist, and climb regularly.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds unassisted.
• Comfortable working in varying temperatures, including coolers, freezers, and kitchen environments.
• Ability to use kitchen and receiving equipment safely.
• Must follow all food safety and sanitation procedures and wear required personal protective equipment.