JOB FILLED - Fresh Produce Demand Buyer - Joe Produce | Produce Jobs, Produce Careers, Agriculture Jobs, Agriculture Careers

JOB FILLED - Fresh Produce Demand Buyer

Job Description: 

This person will manage all aspects of the purchase of fresh produce for the company’s fresh-cut processing operation and maintains appropriate raw inventory levels by performing the following duties personally.

Compensation/Salary: 
DOE
Requirements: 
  • Exceptional knowledge of:
    • specific growing season for products
    • buying and pricing systems for produce
    • transportation/logistics management
  • Ability to communicate with customers and vendors for buying process
  • Ability to procure appropriate product within appropriate pricing
    • Strong negotiation skills
  • Solid understanding of preparing budget and forecast of requirements
  • Ability to hold vendors accountable for follow-through in all aspects
  • Exercises independent judgment and decision making in executing replenishment and inventory management activities.
  • Subject matter expert on Produce and / or applicable perishable categories.
  • Ability to foster Supplier relationships while achieving performance objectives.
  • Possesses a high degree of professionalism, tact, and persistence.
  • Experience with FAMOUS inventory management software highly desirable.
Responsibilities & Duties: 

Monitor and independently determine the timing and quantity of items to purchase based on a detailed understanding of products, suppliers, category, market, quality and forecasting indicators. Manage inventory levels ensuring adequate supply by meeting or exceeding key service level performance indicators, including:  

  • Collaborating with other departments to set up new suppliers with proper food safety certifications/audits, contract/terms with appropriate approvals/sign-offs
  • Ensuring supplier meets harvesting quality, pack weight, cut size and overall specifications
  • Negotiates prices of produce and monitors/manages the logistic cost of processes
  • Develops new buying strategies and calculates profitability for business
  • Monitors and analyses sales data of past years and prepares forecast for coming year
  • Ensures compliance to quality standards for procurement processes
  • Develops and maintains professional relationship with internal and external clients
  • Prepares reports to track inventory and every service exception
  • Monitors cost of goods
  • Ensures efficient delivery of products to co-packer or other designated site
  • Develops and maintains professional relationships with vendors and brokers
  • Inventory loss minimization (spoilage)
  • Days Inventory on Hand (DIOH)
  • Customer Order Fill Rates
  • Managed Cases/Freight Income
  • Slow and Dead Inventory
Education: 

Minimum of an A.A. Degree from two-year college or technical school in purchasing/supply chain management of raw product, or related field; and substantial experience in buying perishable produce [over five years up to and including seven years] of experience in; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

Skills: 

Organizational and attention-to-detail skills, self-motivated, initiative; strong relationship development skills with both internal and external partners and vendors; goal-focused; and data entry skills.