Produce Assistant Buyer

Job Description

Job Description

Balls Foods Stores is looking for a motivated and detail-oriented Assistant Produce Buyer to join our team at the Central Warehouse. In this role, you'll work closely with our Produce Buyer and leadership team to help ensure our stores have the right fresh and organic produce products at the right quality, quantity, timing, and price.

You'll serve as a key point of contact for growers, suppliers, brokers, and internal teams, helping coordinate purchasing, product availability, pricing, quality, and logistics. This position works as part of a small, collaborative Produce team, where everyone works closely together to keep product moving and get the job done.

• Assist with the daily purchasing of fresh and organic produce products.
• Serve as a key contact for growers, suppliers, brokers, and distributors, building strong working relationships and communicating product needs.
• Work closely with the Produce Buyer and Produce team to plan purchasing, forecast needs, and make day-to-day purchasing decisions.
• Monitor produce markets, seasonal availability, pricing, product trends, and market conditions.
• Help forecast produce needs and plan purchasing approximately two weeks in advance.
• Communicate with suppliers regarding product availability, specifications, pricing, quality, and delivery.
• Help evaluate product quality, freshness, grading, specifications, and shelf life.
• Monitor inventory levels and help prevent shortages, overstock, and product loss.
• Coordinate product orders, deliveries, and logistics with suppliers and the Central Warehouse.
• Help coordinate transportation and product loads to ensure produce arrives when needed.
• Work with Store Operations to understand product needs and support produce availability across our stores.
• Track and analyze purchasing, pricing, inventory, and product performance.
• Assist with supplier pricing and purchasing negotiations alongside the Produce Buyer and Director.
• Help resolve product quality, availability, pricing, and delivery issues.
• Communicate with Sales, Warehouse, Store Operations, and other internal teams to keep product moving efficiently.
• Work collaboratively with the Produce team to respond quickly to changes and do whatever is needed to get the job done.
• Maintain accurate purchasing and product information in company systems.
• Assist with reports and analysis that support purchasing decisions and Produce department performance.

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• At least 2 years of experience in the produce retail and/or wholesale industry.
• Knowledge of fresh and organic produce, including product quality, grading, shelf life, seasonal availability, and specifications.
• Knowledge of PACA (Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act) preferred.
• Familiarity with USDA produce grades and guidelines preferred.
• Experience working with growers, brokers, suppliers, or distributors.
• Understanding of produce purchasing, logistics, and/or warehouse operations.
• Strong relationship-building, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to analyze pricing, inventory, purchasing, and market information.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a small, hands-on team.
• Ability to make timely decisions when working with perishable, time-sensitive products.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, especially Excel.
• Experience with Produce Pro is a plus, but not required