Buyer

At Caribou Coffee we create day-making experiences that spark a chain reaction of GOOD ! This is our purpose. Our team brings this to life by focusing on what’s really important around here – TEAM, GUEST, BUSINESS ! It’s that simple. If you’re ready to work somewhere you can be yourself while making an impact on your community, creating life-long relationships, and serving the best coffee around, join our herd! Apply today and be part of the ‘Bou Crew!Position Overview:The Buyer works within the Sourcing and Inventory Management Team to develop and maintain a reliable, diverse supplier network and demand planning strategy that drives global retail sales growth , achieves c ost and expense objectives, and supports unit growth through optimized and efficient inventory asset utilization. The Buyer partners externally with s uppliers and distributors and internally with Inventory Analysts, Product Innovation, Store Operations, Coffee Operations, Supply Chain, Quality Assurance, Legal, License, Franchise, and Finance teams to implement sourcing and demand planning strategies and tactics in support of delivering Caribou’s Company goals and objectives .The Buyer is responsible for Identifying, developing, and maintaining strategic vendor partnerships, managing contracts, and leading product cost negotiations to ensure the best quality goods and services at the best cost. The Buyer will also collect, validate , and aggregate multi-channel inventory demand forecasts to support inbound supply planning, efficient inventory flow, and reliable outbound replenishment.Core Responsibilities :Strategic Sourcing & Supplier ManagementExecute Caribou’s strategic sourcing vision and roadmap to support growth objectives and sourcing - related ESG commitments and to inform the company’s annual operating and long-range planning processesManage a supplier matrix to ensure strong partnerships and reliable, cost-effective access to all inventory required to deliver sales, profit, and quality objectives across all business channels.Partner with Culinary R&D , Category Management, Store Operations, Manufacturing , and Supp l y Chain Teams to develop and enable sourcing solutions that fully integrate into P roduct L ifecycle processesManage supplier relationships , including forecast and demand analytics , to inform negotiations and achieve best cost of goodsObtain services and source materials from suppliers at the lowest total cost consistent with considerations of quality, reliability of source, risk to the business and urgency of needConduct regular business reviews with suppliers and internal business partners, executing sourcing strategies based on quality, delivery, cost, and market conditionsRecommend sources of supply to Category Managers; m aintain an accurate knowledge of supplier capabilities, industry trends, market pricing, and consumer insightsFacilitate the contract management process and negotiate new/expiring contracts for assigned categories to ensure new supplier onboarding and business continuity with existing suppliersWork cross - functionally to lead new supplier certification and onboarding , including compliance with Caribou quality assurance, contract, and warehouse/ logistics requirementsPerform analytics , identify gaps , and develop projects to drive cost out of the business while protecting the quality and service objectives of the businessMaintain an item cost management model for assigned categories that provides visibility to all item cost components and support s ongoing cost monitoring with suppliers and distribution partnersLead RFP process for new and existing assortment items to make informed assortment selection recommendations considering product cost breakdowns and associated logistics and transportation costsManage ERP (Great Plains) & FoodLogiQ item systems maintenance, including SKU and supplier master data, cost detail, and specification requirementsIn collaboration with the Inventory Management Team , monitor and manage KPIs including i n s tocks, f orecast v ariance, t urn over , f ill rate , and u nproductive i nventory, and address supplier challenges to reconcile quantity and on time shipment variances and manage corrective action needsIn collaboration with Quality Assurance, address supplier challenges and manage corrective action needs including voluntary withdrawal and product recall processes to ensure financial accountability in accordance with contract termsIn collaboration with Finance, Accounts Payable, and Inventory Analyst resolving invoicing discrepancies with suppliersDemand PlanningIn collaboration with Category Management, Store Operations, Finance, and Inventory Analyst teams develop annual operating plans, COGS spend, and margin forecastsForecast and validate short and long-term demand aggregated across all channels and segmentation strategies to support Product Lifecycle processes, inbound supply planning, efficient inventory flow, reliable outbound replenishment, and optimized store inventory levelsCollaborate with Category Management, Store Operations, Inventory Analysts, Supply Chain , and s uppliers to ensure appropriate inventory controls across KPIs to protect daily in stock position and prevent end of program write-offsPerform post-set chase/cancel analysis for all new and promotional items to ensure effective inventory controls, supply, and mitigate unproductive inventory and disposition liabilitySupport category in stocks, optimize d inventory turns, and reduce d unproductive inventory by collaborating with the Inventory Management Team to ensure accurate weekly forecasts, effective purchase order management, and distribution planning practicesSkills and Requirements:Bring Caribou’s Core Values to life in all that you do: Support One Another, Make Fun Happen, Be Yourself, Take Ownership, Serve with LoveEnsure focus of work aligns with Caribou’s strategic sourcing vision and roadmapBuild and maintain productive, trusted relationships with peers, leaders, cross functional partners, and suppliersConsider diverse perspectives and collaborate cross - functionally to influence business decisions grounded in data-based analyticsArticulate business decisions based on data analytics in a clear, concise, and timely mannerDemonstrate a results-oriented, entrepreneurial mindset, proven sense of urgency, and demonstrate strong initiative towards business needs, problem solving, data analytics, process management, critical thinking, and making timely decisionsWork both independently and collaboratively, manage and follow through multi-step project steps/procedures consistentlyDemonstrate a willingness to learn, work with others, consider diverse perspectives, innovate, hold yourself accountable, and recognize others’ contributionsPrioritize guest and team when establishing plans and decision frameworksMaintain focus on long-term goals while managing day-to-day responsibilitiesQualifications:4-year degree in relevant fieldMinimum 3 years of experience in strategic sourcing or purchasing , preferably in food or beverage product categoriesProven experience in business and financial planning, supplier relationship management , and contract management (sourcing / purchasing focus)Physical Requirements:The physical requirements for this position include sitting, standing, bending, lifting, and moving intermittently during working hours . These physical requirements must be accomplished with or without reasonable accommodation.The duties of this position may change from time to time. Caribou reserves the right to add or delete duties and responsibilities at the discretion of Caribou or its managers. This job description is intended to describe the general level of work being performed. It is not intended to be all-inclusive .Caribou Coffee Operating Company, Inc. and its affiliates are proud to be Equal Opportunity Employers to all applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type based on any characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.Address: | 3900 Lakebreeze Ave N , Brooklyn Center, Minnesota 55429 |Compensation Range:$64,946.00 - $108,243.00 per year* Starting pay is subject to Local and State Minimum Wage regulations.**Ranges reflect what employer reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for such position.The physical demands for this position are reaching, lifting up to 50 pounds, sitting, standing, for 4 to 8 hours, bending, and moving intermittently during working hours. These physical demands may be accomplished with or without reasonable accommodations.The duties of this position may change from time to time. Caribou Coffee reserves the right to add or delete duties and responsibilities at the discretion of the company or its managers. This job description is intended to describe the general level of work being performed. It is not intended to be all-inclusive.Caribou Coffee Operating Company, Inc. and its affiliates are proud to be Equal Opportunity Employers to all applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type based on any characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.Brand:Caribou Coffee #J-18808-Ljbffr