Buyer

Job Description Buyer Compensation: $80,000 – $100,000 Base Salary Location : Naperville, IL Position Overview A growing international food distribution organization is seeking a Buyer to join its Procurement team. This individual will play a critical role in managing purchasing activities, forecasting demand, maintaining optimal inventory levels, and building strong supplier relationships. The ideal candidate is analytical, highly organized, and thrives in a fast-paced supply chain environment while partnering closely with Sales, Operations, Quality Assurance, and Sourcing teams. Key Responsibilities Procurement & Inventory Management Analyze historical sales data, seasonality, and market trends to forecast product demand. Develop and maintain purchasing plans and inventory targets aligned with business objectives. Monitor inventory levels using reporting tools and recommend actions to reduce stockouts, excess inventory, and overstock situations. Issue purchase orders in a timely manner and track order status, delivery schedules, and exceptions. Build and maintain strong relationships with domestic and international suppliers. Negotiate pricing, payment terms, minimum order quantities (MOQs), and delivery timelines. Evaluate supplier performance through scorecards measuring quality, responsiveness, and on-time delivery. Identify supply chain risks, including supplier concentration, capacity limitations, and geopolitical concerns, while developing mitigation strategies. Compliance & Quality Partner with Quality Assurance to maintain supplier certifications and food safety compliance. Assist with supplier audits, corrective action tracking, and regulatory compliance initiatives. Monitor changing regulatory requirements and proactively identify potential compliance risks. Cost Management & Reporting Monitor supplier spending and identify opportunities for cost savings through supplier consolidation, contract negotiations, and alternative sourcing. Prepare weekly and monthly procurement reports, including purchase order status, supplier scorecards, inventory metrics, and cost variance analysis. Track key performance indicators such as: Fill Rates On-Time Delivery Cost Per Unit Weeks of Supply Supplier Compliance Rate Recommend process improvements based on performance metrics and data analysis. Cross-Functional Collaboration Partner with Sales to understand customer demand, market trends, and growth opportunities. Work closely with Sourcing, Operations, and Quality teams to resolve supply chain issues. Support new product launches by coordinating procurement activities across departments. Qualifications Required Experience 1–3+ years of experience in procurement, purchasing, supply planning, category management, or a related supply chain role. Strong understanding of inventory management, forecasting, and procurement best practices. Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, and data analysis. Strong analytical abilities with experience interpreting data and identifying trends. Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to collaborate across departments. Knowledge of food imports, FDA regulations, or FSVP is preferred, or the ability to quickly learn industry compliance requirements. Schedule Full-time Flexible weekday schedule with occasional weekend availability as business needs require. 401(k) with Company Match Medical Insurance Vision Insurance Life Insurance Disability Insurance Paid Time Off Tuition Reimbursement Benefits 401(k) with Company Match Medical Insurance Dental Insurance Vision Insurance Life Insurance Disability Insurance Paid Time Off Parental Leave Tuition Reimbursement MOHR Talent is an equal-opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local nondiscrimination laws. We provide equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military/veteran status, or any other protected status. If you believe you have been discriminated against or have concerns about our compliance, please contact our Human Resources department at View email address on click.appcast.io #J-18808-Ljbffr Mohr Talent