Senior Buyer Meat/Seafood/Deli - Full-time / Part-time

POSITION PURPOSE:

The Senior Buyer Meat, Seafood, and Deli is responsible for the profitable procurement and timely delivery of products for assigned lines. Works closely with the Meat, Seafood, and Deli Procurement Manager, Sales Managers and Buyers to achieve the goals of the company. Provides supply chain/inventory management for promotionally active categories and corresponding financial accountabilities. Procures product in accordance with all policies and procedures established by the company. The Senior Buyer Meat, Seafood, Deli may serve as a backup to the Procurement manager in his/her absence.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Obtain best possible product costs, quality and service at all times.

• Ensure that established policies and procedures are understood and adhered to by all procurement buying staff.

• Strive to obtain inventory and turn goals, while maintaining service level and minimizing distress.

• Assist Meat, Seafood and Deli Procurement Manager in establishing projected sales and profit quotas.

• Participate in the formulation of broad policies and long-range goals, objectives, plans, programs, and projects of the Distribution Center.

• Support the Meat, Seafood and Deli Procurement Manager in the training and mentoring of procurement team members.

• Collaborate with Procurement Manager and Quality Assurance to ensure product specifications are met and in compliance with all federal, state and local regulatory and company requirements.

• Interface with other departments and division personnel to accomplish job functions. Develop and maintain good working relationships with vendors, store operations, distribution center and division office personnel.

• Review acquisition costs to ensure items purchased are at the lowest cost consistent with considerations of quality, reliability of source, and urgency of need.

• Assess current inventory, market conditions, availability, and promotional impact to forecast order quantities and make recommendations to the merchandising team.

• Conduct post-promotional reviews and analysis to determine if promotional requirements were met and develop solutions for problem areas

• Review logistics and transportation options for products to attain the best net product price possible.

• Review and resolve inventory issues at store level as a result of allocations or order issues.

• Review and analyze daily and weekly reports to monitor costs, quality, service level, inventory turns, and distress and make adjustments as needed.

• Visit stores, as needed, to monitor programs, obtain store feedback and to assess overall implementation effectiveness.

• Manage Accounts Payable variance processes for distribution sourced items to ensure correct prices have been invoiced.

• Resolve store billing questions by researching discrepancies submitted at store level with Store Billing and entering credits where appropriate or providing resolution.

• Resolve store distribution issues by acting as a liaison with the Transportation department, QA and store associates.

• Maintain all necessary department files and records.

• Coordinate with Warehouse Operations to maintain the proper product flow through the facility, in a timely manner.

• Remote access (buying system) from home or off site location when necessary.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Education Level:

• Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Sciences, Business, Marketing, Logistics or related field or relevant industry experience or marketing, accounting, logistics and financial management practices preferred.

Experience Level:

• Minimum 5 years buying experience preferred. Meat, Seafood or Deli experience in industry or retail a plus.

Skills and Experiences:

• Retail operations/Marketing/Logistics experience preferred or strong understanding of store operations and merchandising methodologies and practices.

• Working knowledge of perishable procurement, logistics, inventory management, marketing, accounting and financial management practices.

• Strong organizational and analytical skills

• Strong oral and written communication skills

• Proficiency in PC systems required: strong knowledge of Microsoft Office suite including Excel, Word and Access. QMF experience a plus.

• Must have the ability to represent the Company's interests in negotiations with outside professionals and suppliers

• Ability to concentrate and deal with frequent interruptions

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: 5% - 10%

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT:

• Ability to lift 30 pounds or more.

• Work typically performed in a temperature-controlled environment. A limited amount of time may be at temperatures of 40 degrees or lower (frozen and perishable warehouses).

• Spends long periods of time at desk or computer terminal.

• Uses calculators, keyboards, telephone and other office equipment in the course of a normal workday.

• Workday is fast paced, some evening and weekend work may be required.

Disclaimer:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this job classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and skills required of personnel so classified.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER