Produce Buyer

Produce Buyer

Produce Buyers provide excellent customer service and participate in receiving, prepping and stocking quality produce and products, and are positive contributors to the Produce team. Produce Buyers are responsible for ensuring the accurate purchase and delivery of goods while maintaining positive relationships with vendors. In addition, Produce Buyers assist in coordinating department workflow, provide leadership, provide oversight and training, and ensure that department and storewide policies and procedures are followed.

All Co-op Staff Will:

• Use all available tools and resources in order to provide excellent and knowledgeable customer service to all customers, coworkers, and vendors
• Communicate professionally and respectfully with everyone you encounter while at work
• Adhere to all store and department policies and procedures
• Demonstrate regular, predictable good attendance
• Attend huddles and meetings as scheduled
• Commit to contributing to a positive, team-building work environment

All Produce Staff Will:

• Stock all produce display areas in accordance with established procedures
• Receive and store product orders as directed
• Maintain a fully stocked and clean department
• Responsibly fulfill all health code requirements regarding product handling and record-keeping
• Complete tasks as assigned by the department manager
• Follow all Eastside Food Co-op and Produce Department policies and procedures
• Participate in all department communication systems

Produce Buyer Additional Responsibilities:

Purchasing:

• Inventory, order, and receive product in a manner that supports departmental goals for sales, margin, pricing, shrink, promotions, and displays
• Occasionally develop and maintain the tools needed to achieve purchasing goals (e.g. order guides, shrink logs, vendor lists, delivery schedules, etc.)
• Ensure that all invoices are properly coded and submitted in a timely manner; obtain credit from suppliers as needed
• Accurately record and process special orders
• Research product availability, price, and quality issues
• Ensure that receiving procedures are properly followed
• Participate in quarterly inventory counts as directed
• Practice proper back stock product management and rotation
• Ensure clean and accurate retail signage

Supervision:

• Provide leadership and supervision to produce staff.
• Model supportive and participatory leadership qualities, promoting team building and cooperation. Motivate staff to achieve departmental goals.
• Participate in staff training and ensure that all training protocols are followed.
• Monitor employee customer service, work performance, and adherence to co-op policies and procedures. Provide positive feedback and coaching as needed. Communicate all staff-related issues to the Produce Manager and Assistant Manager.

The Ideal Candidate Will Possess:

• Passion for high quality produce, natural foods and co-ops
• Exceptional customer service skills
• The ability to balance multiple priorities
• Computer skills (Excel, Word, email, point-of-sale)
• Self-motivation; comfortable taking initiative and prioritizing tasks
• Desire to grow skills and knowledge
• Weekend and early morning availability
• Regular, predictable attendance
• The ability to work with limited and no supervision
• Purchasing experience preferred

Physical Demands:

• Standing, bending, stooping, reaching, squatting, and walking for extended periods of time per shift
• Repetitive bending and lifting of loads up to 50 pounds; pushing and pulling carts weighing up to 400 pounds
• Environmental exposure to extreme temperatures (coolers, freezer, outdoors, etc.)
• Repetitive use of hands for grasping, pushing, pulling, and fine manipulation

Important Notice: The job duties, elements, responsibilities, skills, functions, experience, educational factors, and the requirements and conditions listed in this job description are representative only and not exhaustive of the tasks that an employee may be required to perform. Eastside Food Co-op reserves the right to revise this job description at any time and to require employees to perform other tasks as circumstances or conditions of its business, competitive considerations, or the work environment change.