Area Buyer

US Foods•Seabrook, NH

1d•$60,000 - $100,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Area Buyer role is part of the Replenishment Buying organization and is stationed at the Area level. This role utilizes category expertise and vendor-specific knowledge to manage inventory levels for assigned items, suppliers, and/or categories while maintaining service level targets for customers. The Area Buyer is an elevated, standardized role focused on high-value buying actions such as PO management, inventory monitoring, and core KPI reporting. They serve as the primary point of contact for vendor POs within an Area and collaborate with Replenishment operations to problem-solve and ensure complete orders and positive customer experiences. For external candidates, the role requires commuting to the Seabrook, NH location, with a hybrid work model involving 2 days onsite per month. Internal candidates must be located near a US Foods location, work EST hours, and also adhere to the hybrid model with 2 days onsite per month.

Requirements

1+ years of direct inventory management/supply chain experience required.
Superior oral and written communication skills.
Strong analytical skills.
Ability to communicate clearly and professionally with suppliers, sales, field partners, and other business contacts via telephone, email, and video conferencing.
General understanding of logistics and its connection to an efficient distribution model.
Ability to handle high-pressure situations to meet daily/weekly timelines with a high sense of urgency.
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
Ability to quickly learn new technologies.

Nice To Haves

SCPO experience heavily preferred.
Minimum 3 years purchasing experience preferred.
Food service experience is a plus.
Four-year degree is highly preferred.
Equivalent work experience and applicable certifications may be considered (Military Service, APICS, CPM, etc.).

Responsibilities

Drive core Replenishment buying work and ensure key functions are fulfilled.
Deliver on KPIs for desk-specific goals such as Service Level, Days-Inventory-On-Hand (DIOH), Excess and Obsolete inventory (E&O), and Spoilage.
Analyze economic order quantities, forecasts, lead times, vendor set-up, safety stock, etc., and use discretion to create efficient purchase orders with suppliers.
Execute forward-buy opportunities to achieve profitability based on targeted goals, controlling decision rights on PO execution and timing to balance KPIs with business needs.
Proactively review projected out-of-stock reports daily and make purchasing decisions, including finding substitute products, to ensure customer order fulfillment.
Routinely monitor and escalate crucial inventory health reports such as stock outs, waitlists, and subgroup exception reports.
Establish clear communication with internal partners regarding supplier production delays or order shortages, and pursue recovery options with urgency.
Coordinate cross-functionally to manage and improve key drivers of company performance.
Collaborate with internal and external business partners to reduce overstock, slow-moving, and obsolete inventory, and initiate product returns where applicable.
Utilize understanding of product shelf life and manufacturing dates to prevent spoilage for specific buying categories.
Communicate closely with cross-functional partners to capture seasonal trends and events, and drive profitability with accurate costs.
Partner with the product/category management team to maintain supplier relationships and proper accountability.
Cooperate with Logistics and Replenishment Excellence teams to identify and achieve freight consolidation for maximum net income and best cost of goods.
Evaluate inbound volume and purchase history to collaborate with warehouse operations on efficient receiving practices.
Participate on a team of 3-10 Buyers and drive continuous improvement within the team.
Share current challenges, operational learnings, and opportunities with Area Replenishment staff to recommend improvements to standard processes.
Ensure smooth coordination and information flow between Replenishment Operations, cross-functional partners, and Area Buying operations.
Contribute to a strong culture of customer service orientation, collaboration, performance, and continuous improvement within the team.