Vegetative Buyer

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Vegetative Buyer is responsible for executing purchasing activities to ensure a consistent, high quality, and cost effective supply of seed products to support customer demand and operational plans. This role works closely with suppliers, Operations, Express Seed Company Sales, and Logistics to manage purchase orders, inventory levels, Sales Orders, and supplier performance while supporting seasonal planning and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Issue and manage purchase orders in alignment with inventory and production plans
• Proactively monitor open purchase orders and expedite with suppliers to ensure on time delivery
• Maintain and support supplier relationships, including onboarding new vendors as needed
• Assist with pricing discussions and support the resolution of delivery, quantity, or quality issues in a timely manner
• Partner with the Sales team on inventory shortages by identifying alternatives and recommending viable substitutions
• Prioritize high quality customer support, quick response times, and a flexible make to order business strategy to meet customer needs

• Track inventory levels and support inventory target goals
• Analyze demand plans, historical data, and sales inputs to support purchasing decisions
• Coordinate with Sales and Operations to align purchasing activity with customer requirements
• Identify and help mitigate slow moving or excess inventory through targeted actions

• Create and maintain item numbers and related master data in ERP systems
• Generate, review, and analyze purchasing and inventory reports to drive decisions
• Reconcile purchase orders, receiving transactions, and supplier invoices to ensure data integrity and accurate costing

• Coordinate shipments, deliveries, and order expediting as required
• Support international sourcing, freight coordination, and documentation when applicable
• Communicate supply status updates internally to support order fulfillment
• Assist with auditing of item production setups in partnership with Sales and Growing teams

• Participate in cross functional process improvement and continuous improvement initiatives
• Support data accuracy, reporting enhancements, and workflow efficiencies
• Provide backup coverage for other buyers as needed
• All other duties as assigned

• Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Agriculture, or related field, or equivalent experience
• 1 to 3+ years of purchasing, procurement, inventory, or supply chain experience
• Experience in seed, horticulture, agriculture, or greenhouse industries preferred
• Exposure to international sourcing, imports, or customs processes preferred
• Inventory, demand planning, or warehouse experience preferred
• Experience using ERP systems (Microsoft NAV, Net Suite, or similar)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and follow through
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Strong planning and prioritization skills
• Analytical and problem solving skills
• Exceptional supplier and internal stakeholder communication
• Ability to manage multiple tasks in a seasonal, fast paced environment
• Ability to collaborate with a team collaboration and adapt to changing priorities

• Climate controlled office or home office environment
• Continuously requires vision, hearing, twisting, and talking
• Frequently requires sitting, standing, fine dexterity, and handling
• Occasionally requires walking, climbing stairs, lifting (up to 20lbs), carrying, reaching, kneeling, pushing/pulling, bending, and crouching
• Rarely requires climbing