Perishable Grocery Department Buyer – Full Time

POSITION SUMMARY:

Department Buyers are responsible for assisting department managers with managing department inventory.

PERISHABLE GROCERY BUYER RESPONSIBILITIES

The Perishable Grocery Department Buyer is responsible for:

• Placing orders and/or assisting staff with ordering.
• Multi-sourcing orders within cost opportunity windows to achieve the best blend of value and freshness to hit margin goals.
• Working with merchandisers to keep staff updated on all relevant merchandising with information including new items, promotions, specials, etc.
• Ensuring that assigned sections and back stock are worked daily.
• Maintaining rotation of product to ensure freshness.
• Ensuring that freshness date checks are routinely performed and shrink is monitored and reacted to.
• Ensuring that items are in stock and following up with vendors accordingly.
• Assisting with merchandising and/or suggesting new items in order to meet sales and profit objectives of the store.
• Ensuring Point-of-Sale is updated with current pricing and sales information.
• Investigating and resolving quality and service complaints.
• Assisting customers with information on products, preparation methods, nutrition and product source of origin.
• Maintaining visually appealing displays and shelves.
• Ensuring a high level of quality and service throughout the Co-op.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Customer Service:

• Fulfilling customer’s special orders with a high level of efficient, responsive service.
• Determining types and quality levels of items throughout the department based on customer needs.
• Listening to customer inquiries and suggestions to enhance products and deliverables.
• Ensuring inventory is well stocked and displayed visually appealing on shelves.
• Ensuring that customer inquiries are researched and accordingly followed up on to ensure repeat customers.

Store:

• Demonstrate and enforce proper cleaning and all related work practices as required for the safe and efficient operation of the department.
• Demonstrate and enforce proper store, state and federal food safety, storage and temperature procedures.
• Work with the Department Manager and Operations Manager regarding upkeep and repairs of equipment.
• Maintain correct department signage and pricing.
• Accountable for department appearance and out of stocks.
• Work with other departments on merchandising, overall appearance, upkeep and maintenance.
• Help contribute to store events.
• Follow through on effective marketing strategies and in store promotions
• Basic knowledge of other department’s duties and responsibilities.

Finance/Technology:

• Maintain margin goals.
• Achieve planned budget margin and sales targets.
• Maximize department sales and profits.
• Maximize store profits and gross profit through effective merchandising.
• Ability to manage inventory and utilize internal/external resources to place orders for the department.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• At least 2 years experience in a grocery/retail environment.
• Experience with product purchasing and merchandising in a retail environment.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Basic math skills to help understand margins, markup and shrink/sales goals to achieve budget goals.
• Ability to multi-task and handle customer and employee needs in a timely, professional manner.
• Ability to interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions.
• Ability to write routine correspondence.
• Knowledge and skills in a retail/grocery setting.
• Ability to work the sales floor as well as live freight and sorting loads with staff.
• Strong merchandising and multi-tasking skills.

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

While performing the duties of this job, the associate is required to be able to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch and manipulate (lift, carry, move) light to medium weights of 10-60 pounds.  Requires good hand-eye coordination, arm, hand, and finger dexterity, including ability to grasp and visual acuity to operate equipment.  The associate frequently is required to sit, stand, reach with hands and arms, talk and hear.

Regularity and consistency of attendance is essential to ensure high quality service and ultimately a productive department and company.

Note:  To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations.

Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this Job at any time.