Buyer - Joe Produce | Produce Jobs, Produce Careers, Agriculture Jobs, Agriculture Careers

Buyer

Job Description: 

Sunrise Produce is a leading independent distributor and processor located in Southern California. We are seeking a seasoned produce buyer to join our team. The right candidate would possess strong FOB buying skills, experience buying for a processor, local & family farm relationships, and the ability to assist in marketing efforts.

To secure the right product, at the right price, from the right source, at the right time to achieve the sales and financial goals of assigned categories and enable the Company to achieve budget.

Position Reports to: 
Vice President of Purchasing
Requirements: 
  • Candidate should possess Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
  • 3+ years produce buying experience
  • Strong negotiating skills,
  • Multiple task management,
  • Be able to set priorities, meet deadlines, and able to accomplish team objectives.
  • Candidate should possess excellent verbal and written communication skills with computer competency, including Excel & Word

Physical Requirements:

  • Candidate will need to be able to go into the cooler and look at their products daily.
  • This will entail lifting cases and sacks of up to 50-lbs, opening and inspecting the product.
  • This will be in a refrigerated environment that averages 34 degrees F
  • Floors in these areas may be wet.

 

Responsibilities & Duties: 
  • Continually identify and determine optimum sources of supply
  • Manage service levels and inventory of assigned categories
  • Make purchase decisions and manage process for order fulfillment
  • Be responsible for procuring designated quality and quantity
  • Minimize cost of goods
  • Minimize shrinkage/spoilage of fresh fruits and vegetables
  • Manage marketing/promotional funds, rebates, slotting fees and payment terms
  • Manage USDA inspection process with necessary
  • Negotiate revised billing resulting from USDA inspection reports when applicable
  • Communicate favorable purchasing opportunities to management
  • Support established logistical procedures to facilitate product arrival
  • Communicate effectively to all department supervisors.
  • Seek opportunity/spot buys
  • Monitor and report items/categories/business trends within assigned categories
  • Maintain awareness of market trends, technology and food safety
  • Maintain awareness of Company’s marketing strategies and competitive activity
  • Ensure that product recalls are completed
  • Participate in plant/QA tours.

Important Duties of a Produce Buyer:

  • One of the most important duties of a produce buyer is finding and negotiating a price with suppliers. Favorable prices, quality, delivery and terms all need to be negotiated. Any opportunities for purchasing that are favorable must be communicated to management. A produce buyer must know and follow the store's polices (such as buying organic or giving priority to local growers) when purchasing produce. Recording the produce she buys from suppliers into a data  system or book for proper government evaluation is another duty of a produce buyer.

Selling Produce:

  • Planning attractive produce displays is key to drawing in customers. This includes providing consistent, readable and clear signs. The produce buyer needs to cull, replenish and rotate produce throughout the day. Another duty is to assist customers with questions and special orders. A produce buyer is responsible for pricing the produce to meet sales and margin goals while staying competitive with other stores. Another duty is to mark down produce that is not selling  to reduce losses. Regularly visiting other stores to compare prices and product displays is also a duty of a produce buyer. Another is to attend store and buyers meetings to coordinate promotions.

Maintenance

  • Maintenance is another duty of a produce buyer. He ensures that the produce displays, storage areas and preparation areas are clean and orderly. These areas must meet health department standards for the state and county. A produce buyer also has to get credit for damaged, spoiled or returned produce, when applicable. Another duty is to ensure that any unsalable produce is disposed of properly. A produce buyer must advise management of equipment or display repairs or if a replacement is needed.

Qualifications of a Produce Buyer

  • Qualifications of a produce buyer vary depending on the company. Most companies require a bachelor's degree or five-plus years of experience  buying produce. Also, strong communications skills and negotiating skills are required. Buyers must be able to lift 60 pounds, stand for long periods and work in cold conditions. They must be able to learn constantly to meet the changing requirements of the job. Other qualifications may include knowing organic certification regulations and commercial and organic growing practices.

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