Founded in the early 1980s, we distribute fresh produce and specialty products to foodservice customers from our facility near Knoxville, Tennessee.
Our company is built on a strong family-owned culture with second-generation family members actively involved in the business today.
Essential Functions:
- Purchase assigned products competitively to specification
- Develop product category programs alongside marketing and sales
- Maintain daily work list at designated location
- Interact and communicate with the procurement, sales and operations team on product status to achieve continuous and open flow of information
- Meet or exceed goals given by the Procurement Manager
- Strive to improve inventory turns, reduce out of stock, control shrink and maintain FIFO inventory
- Monitor product quality to ensure customer satisfaction, by daily visual quality checks and monitoring daily inventory reports. Communicate quality issues with operations and quality control
- Manage incoming freight for timely arrivals to eliminate out of stock and to improve operational efficiencies
- Supply cost and market trends to the retail marketing staff for the development of books and daily selling opportunities
- Negotiate and report to marketing ad and market buster offerings and pricing available from shippers
Competencies, Education, and Skills:
- Highly resourceful
- Strong relationship management and interpersonal skills
- Innovative and creative thinking
- Listening skills
- Influencing
- Negotiation skills
- Related bachelor’s degree and at least 5 years successful experience as a Category Manager/Buyer in the produce industry or at least 7 years successful related experience in the produce industry
- Proficient skills in Produce Pro or similar software, Microsoft Office and common E Mail systems are required
Compensation Structure:
- Base salary + Commission + Bonus
Physical Demands:
- Occasionally lift up to 50lbs
- Travel by driving auto or by flying commercially as needed and required (includes overnight).
- Stand or sit for long periods of time.
- Work in cold or wet conditions for extended periods of time
Benefits:
- Company vehicle, fuel card, cellphone, and laptop
- Health & Welfare Benefits (medical, dental, vision, life and disability coverages)
- Paid Time Off
- Holidays
- 401(k) with Company Match
- Weekly Pay
- Career Advancement Opportunity
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or another legally protected status.
Our company is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by local, state or federal law.
This policy applies with regard to all aspects of one’s employment, including hiring, transfer, promotion, compensation, eligibility for benefits and termination.
