Junior Buyer

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 a motivated & detail-oriented Jr Buyer to support purchasing, vendor relationships, inventory management, & category performance across our organization.

Position Summary

The Jr Buyer is responsible for supporting purchasing activities within assigned product categories to ensure product availability, competitive pricing, & efficient inventory management. This role works closely with vendors, category managers, warehouse operations, & logistics teams to coordinate purchasing activities, monitor inventory levels, analyze product performance, & maintain consistent product flow.

The ideal candidate is analytical, highly organized, & eager to develop a career in procurement & supply chain management. This position offers hands-on experience in purchasing, vendor negotiations, & category management, with a structured development path designed to prepare successful candidates for advancement into a Buyer role within 12–18 months, based on performance & business needs.

Key Responsibilities

Purchasing & Inventory Management

• Support purchasing activities for assigned food & non-food product categories to maintain product availability & meet sales demand
• Create, process, & monitor purchase orders to ensure accurate quantities, pricing, & timely delivery
• Review inventory levels, sales trends, & demand forecasts to support replenishment decisions
• Monitor open purchase orders, product availability, & delivery schedules to minimize out-of-stock conditions
• Maintain accurate purchasing records, product information, & inventory documentation

Vendor Relations & Cost Management

• Communicate with suppliers regarding product availability, pricing, lead times, & delivery expectations
• Assist with vendor negotiations, pricing comparisons, & cost-saving initiatives
• Monitor vendor performance & help resolve pricing, invoicing, delivery, & product discrepancies
• Support new vendor onboarding, product sourcing, & item setup processes
• Assist with maintaining competitive pricing, controlling costs, & supporting margin targets

Category Analysis & Reporting

• Analyze sales trends, inventory movement, product performance, & seasonal demand
• Prepare purchasing reports, pricing comparisons, & inventory analyses to support category decisions
• Monitor product costs, margins, & market conditions to identify opportunities for improvement
• Maintain accurate product specifications, supplier records, & purchasing data
• Support category managers with assortment planning, promotional activities, & purchasing strategies

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Compliance

• Partner with warehouse, logistics, inventory control, & operations teams to ensure efficient product flow
• Assist with resolving receiving discrepancies, product quality concerns, & inventory-related issues
• Verify product specifications & support compliance with company quality standards, food safety requirements, & purchasing policies
• Collaborate 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 Supply Chain Management, Business, Hospitality, or related field preferred
• Strong interest in developing a career in purchasing, procurement, or category management
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel
• Strong analytical, organizational, & problem-solving skills
• Excellent attention to detail & ability to maintain accurate records
• Strong written & verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities & work effectively in a fast-paced, high-volume environment
• Ability to work independently & collaborate effectively across departments

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous internship or professional experience in purchasing, procurement, inventory management, merchandising, or a related field
• Familiarity with purchasing, inventory management, or ERP systems
• Basic understanding of inventory forecasting, replenishment, & cost analysis
• Exposure to vendor management, pricing analysis, or product sourcing
• Knowledge of food safety, product quality standards, & food handling requirements
• Experience in foodservice, wholesale distribution, retail, or another high-volume environment

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience
• 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

For more information or immediate consideration, contact Samantha England: View email address on click.appcast.io