Job Description:
The Produce Buyer is responsible for the daily management of assigned vendors, items and categories. Procures, controls and manages the inventory for assigned products. Maintains an acceptable product service level to meet promotional, seasonal and daily needs. Responsible for new item selection, implementation and category profitability. Investigates cost reductions and negotiates cost savings with vendors. Performs related work.
Compensation/Salary:
DOE
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in marketing, finance, economics or related field OR equivalent education, training and/or experience demonstrating considerable knowledge of negotiation, procurement and promotional practices in retail grocery in addition to experience listed below.
- Minimum four (4) years’ experience in grocery produce retail buying or related field.
- Working with a rapidly growing and profitable organization.
- Exhibiting strong ability to analyze data, make judgments, and develop reports.
- Representing subject matter expertise in the area of produce procurement.
- Demonstrating strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, etc.) software.
- Established track record of cost reductions and business results through effective negotiation strategies.
Responsibilities & Duties:
- Responsible for the management of perishable inventory purchased by daily review of item usage, sales, inventory, and adjustments.
- Creates purchase orders to replenish inventory.
- Maintains proper inventory levels to ensure high service levels and minimal out-of-stocks.
- Examines, selects, orders, and purchases products at the most favorable price consistent with quality, quantity, specification requirements and other established factors.
- Cultivates effective relationships with vendors and brokers.
- Lead vendor negotiations.
- Establishes strategic relations with key suppliers that lead to new consumer and industry insights.
- Collaborates with vendors and brokers on new items to maximize sales/profits for the department.
- Negotiates with suppliers to achieve the most competitive pricing in order to secure an aggressive difference in pricing versus the market competition via special buys, backhaul agreements and vendor programs.
- Investigates alternative distribution and cost options to achieve further savings.
- Monitors integrity of assigned item pricing as well as promotional pricing.
- Tracks and measures sales and profitability of assigned lines and performs analysis to determine impact on overall category profitability.
- Initiates, manages, and ensures timely completion of category reviews.
- Uses various communication skills to keep key internal teams informed of promotions, cost advantages, product availability, market trends, and vendor and item changes.
- Coordinates with Division Vice Presidents, Department Vice Presidents, and Directors, retail pricing, advertising and space management on promotional buys and assigned items and categories.
- Communicates effectively with stores, merchandising, procurement, and retail operations functioning as a liaison between Retail Operations and the Buying Department.
- Continually assesses market competition by comparing WinCo’s product strategy with the industry including competitive store product mix checks on a regular basis.
- Attends key trade shows.
