Buyer- Category Analyst

As a Buyer- Category Analyst, you'll find innovative ways to manage the procurement of products through our vendors. You thrive on making processes more efficient and scalable, you work to ensure the highest level of quality of our operations and you proactively minimize operational risk. The Category Analyst monitors all assigned product during the entire purchasing cycle, from beginning to end.  They establish product requirements with regard to normal customer movement and movement determined by advertised specials.  The category analyst assigns purchase orders, works with logistics to arrange transportation, and secures delivery dates.  The category analyst is also tasked with monitoring and maintaining inventory levels as determined by the Director of Procurement.  The ideal candidate will be an assertive, detail-oriented individual with knowledge in their assigned category. We are specifically looking for a candidate with food purchasing experience.

KEY RESPONSIBILITES:

• Responsible for procurement of all items in specified category
• Analyze items from multiple vendors within specified guidelines
• Communicate and collaborate with vendor and brokers when issues arise with product
• Partner with Internal Departments to understand all assigned inventory to ensure that product is being stored properly, rotated properly, and product movement is consistent
• Review and identify “buy-in opportunities”
• Identify and gather information pertinent to the analysis of back haul opportunities
• Maintain, analyze, and adjust the turn forecasting
• Perform real time promotional analysis of ad items to ensure the highest service levels utilizing the least amount of inventory
• Optimize Demand Planning tools to help achieve a proactive and adaptable approach to forecasting
• Responsible for establishing product requirements with regard to normal product movement by customers and movement of product as determined by advertised specials
• Coordinates disposition of substandard product, incoming or currently in the inventory, with inventory staff and vendor
• Establishes relationships with a variety of vendors and brokers
• Other tasks as needed

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

• Associate degree required; Bachelor degree a plus
• Food purchasing experience preferred
• Intermediate to Advanced level of proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel
• Strong mathematical, problem solving and forecasting skills
• Consistent record of analyzing and trouble-shooting complex systems or processes
• Proven ability to work in a “Team-Based” or Individual environment. Based on need of the department
• Professional written and verbal communication skills
• Must be able to read, write and understand English
• Demonstrated capacity to successfully complete multiple tasks in a high-volume purchasing environment

COMPANY PROFILE:

Lipari Foods is a regional full-line deli, bakery, packaging, and grocery distributor, headquartered in Warren, MI. We are a premier store distributor, delivering 37,000 food and packaging products to 32 states and 14,000 retail accounts. We operate several manufacturing facilities from a USDA fresh food plant to facilities specializing in jar goods, cheese and confections. We are in your communities providing food to your stores and feeding your families and neighbors. And we are growing. Fast. In fact, Lipari Foods was recently named by Crain’s Business as one of the fastest growing companies in Michigan, and we’re not just growing in Michigan!

We are looking for talent with a can-do mindset, focused on growing a career, and interested in working on a diverse, dedicated team to create something greater collectively. Together, we are delivering more than great food to build a better tomorrow.

Lipari Foods LLC is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.