Buyer

Position Summary: Coordinates inventory replenishment activities with suppliers, sales, logistics and operations for assigned categories.Responsibilities:Place purchase orders with vendors utilizing an awareness of seasonal fluctuations, market effects and other information that require a high attention to detail to avoid spoilage, overstocks, and shortages.Manage and maintain the entire Purchase-to-Pay process, covering:PO CreationVendor ConfirmationAccurate expected delivery date updatesCollaboration with Accounts Payable to ensure payment.Maintain Purchasing system data to effectively generate suggested POs.Maintain necessary required vendor documents (electronic and physical), such as W-9's, Indemnities, etc.Work closely with:Vendors to ensure POs are filled and delivered in a timely fashion.Vendors to manage FDA issues.Logistics to minimize freight expenses.Sales Managers to manage out-of-stock or over-stock risks.Customer Service teams to enable sales order growth.Buyers to build upon best-practices.Build and maintain vendor relationships to not only support PO fulfillment, but also negotiate volume discounts and price breaks wherever possible.Manage Fusion system issues that impact Purchasing and Receiving.Maintain BFC dating system to minimize close dated issues and Expired product impact.Qualifications:5+ years buying experience with a focus on Specialty Food Products for a multi-unit Distribution Organization.Bachelor's degree from accredited four-year college or university preferred.Previous food service distribution and/or food importing experience strongly preferred.Commodity product awareness including blanket commitments, contractual processes, and appropriate market tracking.Advanced Excel Skill and additional Computer skills (JDE, Microsoft Suite - Word and PowerPoint, etc.)Must have a sense of urgency and be able to work under pressure, be comfortable in a fast-paced, metrics-driven environment.Flexible with the ability to work well with all departments and levels of staff both internally & externally.Professional demeanor during all interactions with vendors, customers and fellow employees via phone or in-person.Have a drive to advance within the organization.Must be a team player with a positive attitude.Excellent verbal/written communication skills and a high level of analytical capabilities within ExcelSelf-starter, professional, goal oriented and able to handle multiple tasks.