Buyer - Produce

Restaurant Depot is the nation’s leading members-only, wholesale cash-and-carry supplier serving independent restaurants, caterers, delis, convenience stores, & other food service businesses across 165+ locations in 35 states. Our facilities handle high-volume distribution of food, beverage, & equipment products to support the operational needs of small businesses. We are committed to delivering quality products, competitive pricing, & exceptional service across our operations. As we continue to grow, we are seeking an analytical & results-driven Buyer to support purchasing, inventory management, vendor relationships, & category performance across our organization.

Position Summary

The Buyer is responsible for managing purchasing activities within assigned product categories to ensure product availability, competitive pricing, optimal inventory levels, & overall profitability. This role works closely with vendors, warehouse operations, logistics, & other internal teams to maintain consistent product flow, monitor purchasing trends, & support effective inventory management.

The ideal candidate is analytical, highly organized, & detail-oriented with experience in purchasing, inventory management, or merchandising. This individual should be comfortable managing vendor relationships, analyzing product performance, & making data-driven purchasing decisions in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.

Key Responsibilities

Purchasing & Inventory Management

• Manage purchasing activities for assigned product categories to maintain product availability & support sales demand
• Place & monitor purchase orders based on inventory levels, sales trends, & demand forecasts
• Analyze inventory reports to identify potential out-of-stock conditions, excess inventory, & opportunities to improve inventory turns
• Maintain appropriate stock levels while minimizing shrink, spoilage, & unnecessary carrying costs
• Track open purchase orders, delivery schedules, & product availability to ensure timely replenishment

Vendor Relations & Cost Management

• Develop & maintain vendor relationships to support competitive pricing, product quality, & reliable supply
• Communicate with suppliers regarding product availability, pricing, lead times, & delivery expectations
• Negotiate product costs & assist in resolving vendor pricing, invoicing, & delivery discrepancies
• Support new vendor onboarding, product sourcing, & item setup processes
• Monitor cost changes, maintain accurate pricing records, & support margin improvement initiatives

Category Analysis & Pricing

• Analyze sales trends, inventory performance, product movement, & category profitability
• Monitor pricing, margins, & competitive market conditions to identify opportunities for improvement
• Prepare & maintain reports related to purchasing activity, inventory levels, vendor performance, & category results
• Identify opportunities to improve product assortment, purchasing strategies, & overall category performance
• Support promotional planning, pricing updates, & product initiatives

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with warehouse, logistics, inventory control, & operations teams to maintain efficient product flow
• Investigate & resolve receiving discrepancies, product quality concerns, & inventory-related issues
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders to support product launches, promotions, & operational initiatives
• Identify opportunities to improve purchasing processes, inventory accuracy, & operational efficiency

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, or related field preferred
• 1–5 years of experience in purchasing, procurement, inventory management, merchandising, or a related field
• Strong understanding of purchasing processes, inventory management, & vendor coordination
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel & experience working with purchasing or inventory management systems
• Strong analytical, organizational, & problem-solving skills
• Ability to analyze sales, inventory, & pricing data to support purchasing decisions
• Strong negotiation, communication, & interpersonal skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities & work effectively in a fast-paced environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience purchasing food, beverage, or related wholesale products
• Experience in foodservice, wholesale distribution, retail, or another high-volume environment
• Familiarity with inventory forecasting, replenishment, & category management
• Experience negotiating vendor pricing & managing supplier relationships
• Experience analyzing product margins, inventory turns, & category performance

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience
• Performance-based bonus potential
• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance Coverage
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Employer Match
• Paid Time Off (PTO) in accordance with company policy
• Six (6) Paid Company Holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement Program, subject to eligibility & plan guidelines
• Additional Voluntary Supplemental Benefits, which may include life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance programs, & other optional benefits
• Competitive & Comprehensive Benefits Package Designed to Support You & Your Family