Category Buyer II - Perishables

Buyer II – Perishables (Dairy / Refrigerated Products)
Honolulu, HI (On-Site)
Starting at $75,000 per year | Full-Time
On-site role with opportunity for hybrid work as you grow in the position.
Applicants must currently reside in Oahu, Hawaii to be considered for this role.

Overview

Hawaii Foodservice Alliance (HFA) is Hawai‘i’s largest local supplier of perishable foods and logistics, serving grocers, retailers, and club chains across the islands.

We are seeking a Buyer II to support our perishable category within a fast-paced food distribution environment. This role is responsible for managing high-volume, time-sensitive refrigerated products such as milk, eggs, and dairy, ensuring consistent product availability while balancing demand, delivery timing, and spoilage risk.

This is a hands-on role that requires strong attention to detail, analytical thinking, and the ability to make daily purchasing decisions that directly impact operations.

This role requires prior experience in purchasing, supply chain, or inventory management.

Why This Role Matters

The Buying Team plays a critical role in helping keep Hawai‘i fed. In this position, you will directly influence product availability, inventorylevels, and cost control across essential everyday goods.

What Makes This Role Unique

• Manage fast-moving, highly perishable refrigerated products with short shelf lives
• Make daily purchasing decisions in a high-volume environment
• Balance demand, spoilage risk, and delivery timing
• Work closely with operations teams across all islands

Key Responsibilities

• Generate purchase orders based on forecasts, trends, and demand
• Monitor and manage inventory levels across refrigerated and perishable categories
• Track vendor orders and ensure timely and accurate deliveries
• Communicate with operations teams across multiple locations
• Analyze sales, margins, and inventory data
• Support promotional planning
• Identify and resolve inventory discrepancies
• Build and maintain strong relationships with vendors
• Monitor inventory performance, including spoilage, shrink, and product movement, to maintain availability and minimize loss

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in purchasing, supply chain, inventory management, or related field
• Experience working in fast-paced, high-volume environments
• Strong analytical and organizational skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and make timely decisions
• Strong communication skills across teams and vendors

This is not an entry-level role and requires prior hands-on experience in purchasing or supply chain operations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in food distribution, grocery, or perishable inventory environments
• Experience working with refrigerated or time-sensitive products
• Experience with forecasting or demand planning
• Advanced Excel or data analysis skills

What You’ll Get

• Starting at $75,000 per year, with compensation based on experience
• Free Healthcare (Team Members) with partial family subsidy
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid weekly
• Paid Time Off
• Holo Card reimbursement (bus/rail)
• Employee discounts (gym membership, cellular service, and more)

About HFA

Hawaii Foodservice Alliance (HFA) is Hawai‘i’s largest local supplier of perishable foods and logistics, serving grocers, retailers, and communities across the islands. We support local producers and play a critical role in Hawai‘i’s food distribution and supply chain, helping ensure consistent access to refrigerated and perishable products statewide. We are committed to investing in our team members and building a workplace that values accountability, growth, and long-term success.

HFA is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or veteran status.