Food Buyer

Overview

Responsible for sourcing and purchasing various food products and services for the company. Serves as company resource for product category information, including new products and innovations in the industry. Negotiate supply agreements that meet or exceed supply, inventory, quality goals, and objectives. Manage and maintain raw materials inventory. Manage vendor base.

• Evaluate vendor quotes and service to determine most desirable suppliers. Negotiate pricing, contract, royalties and rebates.
• Source new products for potential product development opportunities, both domestically and internationally, through proactive efforts or at the request of the Design Team.
• Serves as a company resource for others in the company for current market trend information, product opportunities, new items and product innovations through sources such as trade shows, studying market trends, vendor correspondence, etc.
• Create buying strategies to improve costs and production efficiencies.
• Conduct and coordinate regular food reviews with the Food Sourcing Team to introduce new items, concepts, emerging trends, or cost cutting strategies.
• Purchase materials needed for production. Partner with vendors through communication of forecasts and adjustments to ensure adequate supply as well as timely deliveries.
• Initiate and maintain key relationships internally with Warehouse, Shipping and Receiving, and Design Teams. Coordinate with freight companies and freight forwarders for domestic and international purchases/deliveries to our warehouses and storage facilities. Coordinate and negotiate freight activity with suppliers to ensure timely delivery to the company.
• Maintain ongoing communication with Warehouse, Shipping, and Receiving teams to provide timely feedback on item-related issues.
• Work with AP for accounting issues with vendors.

• Execution of Purchase Orders to suppliers, including maintaining and updating related documents on various data platforms.
• Work with A/P for any PO/delivery/payment discrepancies and concerns.
• Ensure vendor documentation is current and compliant (Food Safety Audits, Liability Insurance, Letter of Guarantee, Certificate of Insurance, etc.).
• Ensure item numbers, product information, and pricing are accurate and complete in all data platforms, including spreadsheets (Central Pricing, Macola, vendor spreadsheets such as CII’s and DVI’s, etc.).
• Prepare sample requests and follow up with delivery.
• Perform other tasks/projects as assigned by management.

• Effective and clear verbal and written communication skills.
• Competency in Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Must be a self-starter, self-motivated and disciplined.
• Ability to work independently and with minimal supervision.
• Must demonstrate problem solving skills, multi-tasking capabilities and flexibility.
• Must possess great attention to detail, accuracy, and organizational skills.
• Ability to take ownership of projects and follow up on tasks to meet and support intra and inter departmental deadlines.
• Ability to interact and work well with others across all departments in a fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge of Macola operating system is a plus.

• Minimum 2-year college graduate. A bachelor’s degree is preferred.

• Minimum 5 years food purchasing experience.