BUYER

Description

Are you a strategic and detail-oriented professional with a passion for sourcing high-quality produce? General Produce Company is seeking a Produce Buyer to join our team at General Produce. In this role, you will be responsible for purchasing perishable commodities from growers, shippers, and brokers while ensuring quality, value, and availability for our customers. Given the nature of our industry, flexibility and responsiveness are key, as supply chain challenges can arise. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment, have strong negotiation skills, and are committed to maintaining product integrity, we invite you to apply and be part of our dynamic team!

Primary Purpose: 

The Buyer purchases merchandise and commodities for resale.  The products that General Produce Company purchases are perishable and due to the supply and trucking issues that can arise, the Buyer must be available for contact on extended hours to support operations, answer questions and problem solve.

Essential Functions: 

• Purchase merchandise from growers, shippers, brokers, manufacturing representatives, or other sellers as needed based on customer demands or requirements, quality, and value. Purchases are made from designated authorized, or, preferred vendors.
• Based on inventory, develop an order quantity that minimizes shortages and out of stocks.  Interpret product movement to maximize product turns.
• Understand the function and scope of General Produce transportation department and work with them to have product picked up and delivered to our facilities. 
• Verify and monitor that the merchandise purchased to ensure compliance with the agreed terms and specifications of the negotiated.
• Maintain a partnership with General Produce Food Safety & Quality Control (FSQC) department and partner with FSQC to resolve any quality issues.
• Inspect and authorize the return of rejected merchandise. Follow up with suppliers to ensure that General Produce is properly credited and reaffirm expectation of safe quality foods delivery.
• Work with Inventory Control manager to identify missing product and resolve issues to a satisfactory conclusion.
• Strong partnership with General Produce Operations in unloading and slotting commodities. 
• Understand product rotation, shelf life and proper storage requirements of the products purchased.
• Understand the processes and procedures of the cold chain to maximize shelf life and work with the operations department to ensure the integrity of the products.
• Establish and update market costs based on business segment product is being offered to for resale.
• Participate in staff meetings with sales personnel to introduce new merchandise and to inform of changing market conditions.
• Is available for questions and inquiries from the sales staff about market conditions and availability.
• Build relationship and handle sales of certain customers.
• Understand the PACA laws and rules that govern the purchasing/receiving/sales of fresh fruit & vegetables.
• Understands retail advertising concepts and can develop ads that will be effective for our customer base while still maintaining profitability for the company.
• Work with Retail Sales department writing retail ads and establishing retail lid pricing.
• Negotiates weekly and future lid pricing with suppliers for retail ads and promotions.
• Negotiate contracts with suppliers
• Visits growers/shippers/brokers to build relationships that enhance our purchasing power and expand the understanding of our needs and expectations, and to more fully understand what else may be available to us from them.
• Attends trade shows to stay current on new products and changes in the industry.
• Works with senior buyers to further understanding and knowledge.
• Reports to supervisor on a regular basis.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Effective written and oral communications.
• Proficient in Windows-based computer applications and computer research skills.
• Effective time management.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Ability to adjust to a changing work environment.
• Ability to perform the primary functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

• Current produce license to purchase produce with no PACA restrictions.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• Three years’ experience as a buyer in the produce industry.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Economics, or related field preferred.
• A combination of education and experience will be considered.

Salary : $70,000 - $85,000