Senior Produce Buyer - SCOPE Recruiting.com

Position Summary:

This position will be accountable for the full scope of buying responsibilities for a series of commodities. Those responsibilities include customer fill rates, product quality measures, pricing controls, inventory management, vendor relationship management, and achieving product margin targets. 

Responsibilities:

Manage and optimize 3rd party contracts to ensure efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Cultivate and maintain relationships with growers and brokers, both existing and new.

Conduct thorough analysis of weather conditions, market trends, and forecasting, reporting findings to relevant stakeholders.

Stay abreast of market conditions to inform purchasing decisions.

Ensure accurate and timely reporting.

Update pricing details and assist with quoting processes.

Manage specialty pre-orders and ensure order fulfillment.

Continuously seek out and assess new vendor/supplier/grower prospects.

Investigate inquiries regarding unusual or specialty items.

Facilitate order follow-ups and gather information for newsletters and updates.

Assist in resolving billing discrepancies and communicate price and product updates.

Lead and contribute to special projects as needed.

Personally inspect the quality and quantity of purchased products.

Analyze sales records, trends, and economic factors to anticipate consumer behavior and determine inventory requirements.

Provide expertise on factors such as growing seasons, pricing, and inventory management.

Adjust selling prices based on cost, competition, and demand, in collaboration with sales staff.

Select and purchase products at optimal prices while maintaining quality standards.

Manage perishable inventory through daily review and replenishment processes.

Negotiate contract pricing and structured FOBs weekly to ensure value, quality, and food safety.

Maintain and organize contract and food safety documentation.

Foster and develop relationships with suppliers.

Oversee the tactical management of produce procurement and inbound transportation supply   chains.

Qualifications: 

College degree or requisite industry experience required. 

3rd Party Contract experience is a plus. 

FOB experience is a plus. 

Possess think-outside-the-box capabilities; be a superior communicator and have strong analytical skills. 

4+ years produce experience, strong product knowledge and identification skills. 

Strong negotiating skills. 

Excellent verbal and written communications skills. 

Technically savvy, able to work with and optimize multiple software packages such as Microsoft Office and Produce Pro (including ForecastPro). 

Proficient in advanced analytical skills and ability to forecast based on wide variety of complex and changing variables. 

Specific skills using Microsoft Excel, such as PivotTables, to analyze large volumes of data. 

Self-motivated and solution minded. 

Organized, detail oriented, able to multitask.