Lead Grocery Buyer

LifeSource Natural Foods is looking for a full-time Lead Grocery Buyer to join our team. LifeSource is an independently owned natural foods grocery store that has been nourishing the community since 1994.

The Lead Grocery Buyer will help to ensure that the Grocery Department is vibrant and amply stocked while providing stellar customer service.

Responsibilities
Departmental Advocacy

• Be a strong advocate for the Grocery departments and bring specific needs and suggestions to the Grocery Manager/Assistant Manager. This includes, but is not limited to labor, scheduling, equipment, and product needs.
• Be cross-trained in all Grocery departments and sub-departments, including Grocery, Non-foods Grocery, Pet, and Perishable departments.
• Be knowledgeable and up to date with departmental communications, including but not limited to the communication boards and daily huddles.
• Model professional and courteous conduct.
• Be a team advocate. Appreciate team members. Show appreciation with verbal and written communication.
• Maintain a high level of accountability regarding effort, prioritization, and organization.
• Coordinate with the manager on days when extra help may be necessary.

Ordering

• Ensure all buying is completed for Grocery, Non-foods Grocery, and Pet. Coordinate with Grocery Assistant buyer to complete ordering.
• Work with Lead Grocery buyer to make sure all buying is completed.
• Keep inventory levels in line with customer demand. Limit out of stocks, especially top sellers. Tag short-term Out-of-Stocks on the shelf. Face over long-term Out-of-Stocks.
• Maintain accurate inventory counts.
• Investigate overstock and understock issues and address underlying causes. Communicate issues with Grocery Category Manager.
• Follow virtual inventory and auto ordering best practices.
• Back stock levels are kept as low as reasonable.
• Ensure special and standing orders are researched and placed in a timely manner
• Ensure sale items are in ample supply. Maintain advertised items at 100% stock rate. Communicate to staff any instances where that does not happen.
• Be available to answer staff and customer questions regarding out-of-stocks, ETA's, and product discontinuations.

Receiving, Stocking, and Merchandising

• Ensure all items are checked in, categorized, handled, and processed in accordance with standard receiving procedures. Move with urgency to ensure the product stays at the appropriate temperature.
• Identify, price, and tag special orders according to standard procedure. Notify customers of product arrival.
• Routinely organize special order shelf and contact customer if special order has been waiting for longer than a week.
• Follow up on credits, quality concerns, and pricing discrepancies as needed and directed by the manager. Ensure returns are picked up.
• Abundantly stock shelves with priority given to out-of-stock and sale items. Face items on shelves according to established procedures.
• Maintain proper shelf and backstock organization ensuring accurate rotation of dates. Move backstock to retail displays when possible.
• Label items accurately with price tags, signs, or PLU labels as appropriate. Report price discrepancies to Grocery Category Manager.
• Create and maintain well-merchandised, attractive, and clean displays. Work with the manager to determine areas needing resetting, equipment updating, or maintenance.
• Maintain a high standard of safety, organization, and cleanliness in work and display areas.

Spoilage

• Check the dates of products on shelves and in backstock several times per week. Check areas with shorter shelf life daily.
• Strategically mark down or transfer products in accordance with the Markdown Policy. Consult Grocery Category Manager about potential exceptions.
• Place appropriate items on temporary price reduction worksheets. Maintain While Supplies Last worksheet and signage.
• Place out of date product on the discount shelf; Clear the discount shelf in accordance with the Markdown Policy.
• Print markdown stickers and temporary price change signs as needed.
• Inventory and Database Maintenance.
• Ensure on-hand counts are maintained; fix known issues. Contribute to weekly and daily count checks.
• Ensure database information is up-to-date and accurately reflects the size, description, organic content, special diet, and local details.
• Ensure shelf tags are maintained for all products and that the price matches what is in the database and scale.
• Play an active role in sales setup. Ensure signage is accurate. Oversee While Supplies Last as needed.

Personnel

• Communicate any special needs to the manager, assistant manager, assistant buyer, weekend and evening Grocery team, and/or PIC.
• Be responsive to any needs identified by the PIC.
• Report to manager/assistant manager any issues concerning staff performance.
• Work with managers or PICs to ensure departmental needs are being met.
• Be available to train and guide new staff on the details of the department.

Organic

• Ensure a working knowledge of the requirements of the National Organic Program (NOP).
• Ensure any possible contamination risks are eliminated and /or reported to the manager. Ensure proper labeling of organic products.

Customer Service

• Provide an upbeat, helpful, and thorough level of customer service.
• Be available to support the front-end needs, including cashiering, LifeCart, phone answering, bagging, and carry-outs. Ensure the satisfaction of customers' needs.
• Handle customer requests, suggestions, complaints, returns, and questions in a timely and thorough manner.
• Take and process special orders.

Other

• Be available to write an article for our newsletter from time to time.
• Be available to participate in product demos, food fairs, and other promotional activities.
• Contribute to web content, advertising, and promotion ideas.
• Other cities as assigned

Qualifications

• Minimum 1 year of retail experience
• Has experience serving the public
• Projects a friendly, outgoing personality
• Works as a positive team member
• Well organized with attention to detail
• Possesses basic math skills
• Natural foods experience preferred

Some of the great benefits we offer:

• Profit-sharing
• Medical, dental, vision, and alternative care coverage for full-time employees
• Generous paid time off and additional unpaid time off allowed
• 401k
• Paid Community Service time
• Alternative Transportation benefit
• Discounted gym membership
• Free Employee Assistance Program

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $15.45 per hour

Schedule:

• Weekend availability

Work Location: One location

Salary : $15