Buyer - Produce

Overview

Major Functions:

Responsible for the procurement strategy and execution of assigned produce categories, ensuring alignment with MDI’s profitability, service level, quality, and customer growth objectives.

This role operates with broad decision-making authority across sourcing, pricing, inventory management, supplier relationships, and customer collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Own end‑to‑end buying responsibility for assigned produce categories, including sourcing strategy, vendor selection, pricing, and procurement execution.
• Deliver gross profit, inventory investment, and shrink performance in line with annual budgets and service level expectations.
• Manage inventory levels, turns, and freshness, balancing customer demand, seasonality, and market volatility.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned customer groups, partnering with retail merchandisers to develop and execute ad strategies, promotional calendars, and item launches.
• Analyze and respond to market conditions (availability, weather, freight, pricing trends) and proactively adjust buying strategies to mitigate risk and capitalize on opportunity.
• Lead supplier relationships, including negotiation of pricing, programs, quality expectations, and corrective action when standards are not met.
• Establish and maintain item standards, including PLUs, UPCs, pack specifications, and quality parameters for all assigned items.
• Collaborate closely with warehouse operations and quality control to ensure optimal inbound quality, rotation, and distribution execution.
• Execute structured sourcing processes, including RFP development, evaluation, and supplier negotiations to optimize cost, quality, and service.
• Requires periodic travel to industry events, supplier and grower operations, and retail customer locations to support relationship development, store-level execution, collaborative planning, and validation of merchandising, promotional, and program performance.
• Drive sales growth initiatives, including new item introductions, category expansion, and assortment optimization to increase customer competitiveness.
• Provide guidance and informal mentoring to Associate Buyers, supporting skill development, problem-solving, and adherence to best practices.
• Participate in cross-functional initiatives, food shows, customer meetings, and departmental projects as a subject matter expert.
• Build and improve procurement tools, reporting, and analytics, including leveraging AI-enabled solutions to enhance decision-making and efficiency.
• Effectively utilize demand planning systems and insights to anticipate customer needs, align procurement strategies with forecasted demand, and proactively manage supply, inventory levels, and in-stock position across assigned categories.

Qualifications

Desirable Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Agriculture, or related field preferred.
• 5–8 years of progressive experience in produce buying, merchandising, or produce operations, including full-line buying responsibility with broad experience procuring across all primary produce commodities (fruits, vegetables, value-added, and seasonal categories).
• Demonstrated experience in FOB procurement and vendor negotiations.
• Strong understanding of USDA standards, produce specifications, and quality assurance requirements.
• Proven ability to manage complex portfolios in fast-paced, high‑volume environments.
• Advanced analytical, negotiation, and decision-making skills.
• Strong communication and relationship management skills with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and purchasing/inventory systems.
• Ability to perform effectively under pressure and manage competing priorities.

Dimensions:

• Manages a portfolio of approximately 300 – 400 active SKUs across assigned produce commodities, including both commodity and value-added items.
• Responsible for inventory positions typically ranging between $400K – 1M in on hand value, depending on seasonality and category mix.
• Supports procurement and replenishment activity for 500+ customer locations, including independent retailers and multi-unit operators.
• Interfaces with 60+ active suppliers, including direct growers, shippers, importers, and distribution partners.
• Influences annual category revenue of approximately $50 – 60M+ across assigned commodities.
• No direct reports; provides functional leadership and day-to-day guidance to 6 Associate Buyers or support roles.
• Utilizes enterprise systems, including purchasing, inventory management, and forecasting platforms.

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