Purchasing Agent

Purchasing Agent (Japanese Food Products)

The Purchasing Agent is responsible for managing the procurement of frozen and dry Japanese food products while ensuring product quality, inventory accuracy, regulatory compliance, and cost efficiency. This role works closely with vendors, transportation providers, warehouse staff, and purchasing teams at other company locations to support daily operations and maintain an efficient supply chain.

Purchasing & Vendor Management

• Coordinate local purchasing of frozen and dry food products
• Develop and maintain relationships with vendors and suppliers
• Negotiate pricing, product quality, and delivery terms
• Support product development and sourcing of new products
• Coordinate with purchasing teams at other company locations regarding product transportation and deliveries

Inventory & Order Management

• Monitor inventory levels and create purchase orders based on sales forecasts and inventory requirements
• Review inventory regularly and investigate discrepancies with warehouse personnel
• Coordinate semiannual physical inventory counts
• Maintain accurate purchasing, inventory adjustment, price change, and container records in Microsoft Dynamics NAV
• Process receipts and invoices for payment
• Calculate product costs and pricing to maintain target profit margins

Logistics & Warehouse Coordination

• Coordinate transportation with trucking companies to ensure timely delivery
• Work closely with warehouse personnel to ensure proper receiving, product quality, and inventory accuracy
• Distribute supplier packing lists to warehouse and sales teams and coordinate receiving procedures
• Process branch purchase orders and prepare invoices
• Coordinate daily purchasing orders with designated suppliers and manage receiving upon product arrival

Food Safety & Compliance

• Ensure products comply with FDA and USDA regulations
• Maintain HACCP and CAPA food safety programs
• Support quality assurance activities and food safety documentation
• Monitor compliance with company food safety standards and procedures

Administrative & General Support

• Attend company meetings and events as required
• Complete assigned duties within scheduled working hours unless otherwise approved
• Perform additional purchasing and administrative duties as assigned by management
• Respond promptly to management requests and support departmental operations

Working Hours / Working Style

Monday – Friday

9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Full-time, On-site

Non-Exempt Position

Working Location

Elk Grove Village, IL

Salary / Benefit

$50,000-$55,000 DOE

Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance

401(k)

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Company Holidays

Holidays

U.S. National Holidays

Qualifications

• Business-level English (reading, writing, speaking, and listening)
• Business-level Japanese preferred
• Minimum 2–3 years of purchasing, procurement, inventory control, or food distribution experience preferred
• Experience in food importing, food distribution, or wholesale industry is highly preferred
• Knowledge of Japanese food products is strongly preferred
• Understanding of FDA, USDA, HACCP, and CAPA food safety requirements
• Experience with Microsoft Dynamics NAV or other ERP systems preferred
• Strong negotiation, communication, and organizational skills
• Ability to analyze inventory, pricing, and purchasing data
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, Word)
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with warehouse, sales, vendors, and other company locations
• High School Diploma required; Bachelor's degree preferred