Assistant Buyer

Company:

REMA FOODS, INC. has been a leader in importing quality foods since 1964. We source everyday and specialty products - like tuna, olives, oils, and mushrooms - from over 50 countries. Our clients, including Fortune 500 companies, rely on us for sourcing, quality control, logistics, and more. Find out more here:

Purpose:

The Assistant Buyer supports purchasing, replenishment, and inventory management activities through a combination of operational execution and analytical decision support. This role is responsible for maintaining purchasing and inventory data, monitoring purchase order activity, analyzing inventory and purchasing trends, and recommending actions to support product availability, inventory optimization, and business objectives. The Assistant Buyer collaborates with suppliers and cross-functional stakeholders to ensure data accuracy, operational efficiency, and the effective execution of purchasing and supply chain processes while contributing to reporting, performance measurement, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Essential Job Functions:

• Maintain accurate purchase order and inventory transfer records to support timely processing, tracking, and execution.
• Monitor open purchase orders and follow up with suppliers on order confirmations, shipping schedules, lead times, and delivery updates.
• Make purchasing and replenishment recommendations based on sales forecasts, inventory levels, supplier performance, and business needs.
• Analyze inventory, sales, and purchasing data to identify trends, exceptions, and opportunities, and exercise independent judgment in recommending corrective actions to support inventory optimization and service level objectives.
• Evaluate inventory risks, supply constraints, and replenishment requirements and recommend actions that support business objectives, product availability, and operational performance.
• Coordinate product setup, vendor documentation, item master maintenance, and new product onboarding activities with internal stakeholders and suppliers to ensure data accuracy, process compliance, and timely product launches.
• Develop, maintain, and enhance reporting tools, dashboards, and performance metrics that support business decision-making, while leading and participating in continuous improvement initiatives related to purchasing, inventory management, reporting, and operational efficiency.
• Serve as a resource for purchasing and inventory data, providing analysis and recommendations that support business decisions.
• Partner with Buyers and business leaders to identify opportunities to improve inventory productivity, service levels, and supplier performance.

Job Requirements:

• 2-4 years of experience in purchasing, inventory management, supply chain, logistics, customer service, or administrative support.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and the ability to work accurately with purchasing and inventory data.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, and follow-through.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize responsibilities and manage multiple tasks in a deadline-driven environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations, or a related field preferred; an equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in food importing, distribution, manufacturing, or consumer goods.
• Exposure to inventory management, replenishment, or supply planning concepts.
• Familiarity with Business Central, SAP, Oracle, or a similar ERP system.
• Experience preparing reports and working with large datasets.

Demands/Physical Requirements:

• Hybrid Work Arrangement: three days remote, two days onsite.
• Must be able to commute to and work from the Englewood Cliffs, NJ office.
• Ability to work at a computer for extended periods and meet deadlines.

Compliance Notes:

This role is based in our Englewood Cliffs, NJ office and is classified as a New Jersey position. It follows a hybrid work arrangement, with three days working from home and two days in the office.