Specialty Foods Buyer
Job Description
Our client in Columbus, OH has an immediate opening for a Specialty Foods Buyer on a direct hire basis.
Company Profile:
Specialty Grocery Retailer
Team Atmosphere and Environment
Passion for Food and People
Specialty Foods Buyer:
The Specialty Foods Buyer plans, sources, selects, and purchases products. They must understand consumer needs and current retail trends. The ideal candidate has experience in category management, strategic sourcing, buying, procurement, contract management, merchandising, and vendor relationship management.
Develop and maintain relationship with vendors and suppliers to promote fair dealing.
Procurement of new and existing products while maintain inventory levels and turns.
Create and develop long term plans and strategy for their product lines.
Analyze category product data regarding trends and consumer needs.
Forecast market trends to ensure availability of products.
Good product and procurement negotiation skills to secure competitive prices.
Evaluate supplier options regarding price, quality, terms, and support.
Work closely with Store Management and staff on merchandising and plan-o-grams.
Ensure the timely delivery of products and compliance with the contracts of purchase.
Subject matter expert both internally and externally with regards to specialty foods.
Responsible for the financial performance of the category.
Manage new and discontinued items process.
Ability to analyze, improve and re-evaluate procurement processes continuously.
Understanding of effective communication concepts, tools, and techniques.
Specialty Foods Buyer:
Degree in Business Management, Marketing or related field and five or more years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of retail/wholesale experience and/or higher education preferred.
Experience with specialty foods procurement is a must.
Excellent organizational skills.
Demonstrable aptitude in effective negotiating.
Understands and abides with purchasing best practices.
Features and Benefits:
Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage.
Paid Time Off
Performance-based incentive plan.
Collaborative and supportive team environment.
Frontline Source Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship. The client cannot sponsor any visas.
Disclaimer: Sensitive and personal data will not be requested by Frontline Source Group or its affiliates until a job offer is made and accepted. If you ever doubt the validity of our job postings, we encourage you to call one of our branch locations to verify the status on any job.
Job Requirements
Meet Your Recruiter
Mike Cook
Mike Cook or as he is known in the industry "Grocery Store Mike", is a specialized grocery retail recruiter for Frontline Source Group. With more than 35+ years in the grocery retail industry, Mike started as a part-time courtesy clerk. He worked his way up to serve in-store leadership positions with both traditional and specialty food formats. His expertise lies in hiring, training, and developing company leaders for small supermarkets to large grocery store operations with hundreds of locations. This experience is what differentiates his ability to recruit top Grocery talent from other recruiters in the market place.
Throughout his career, Mike has placed an emphasis on professional development and continuing education. He was in the charter class of Brookshire University, graduating as salutatorian. He also has earned certificates of proficiency in management specialized leadership and retail management from Tyler Junior College. The later certification was in collaboration with the Western Association of Food Chains. And, he has received numerous awards and accolades for customer service and leadership.
Mike has a passion for community service, having served as a board member for the Bear Creek Specialty Utility District (formerly Lavon Water Supply Corporation) from 2007-2013; Community Independent School District board trustee from 2013-2017; and currently serves as Lavon City Councilman, Place 2 since 2017.