Associate Buyer

TriMark•Fountain Valley, CA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Since our founding in 1988, great people have proven to be a fundamental ingredient in the recipe for our success. Our business philosophy is to treat everyone with respect including customers, suppliers, and of course our terrific employees. As part of TriMark USA which is one of the country’s largest providers of foodservice equipment & supplies, Chefs’ Toys has 6 retail stores across California, an eCommerce platform, and a large delivery & installation fleet. We have some of the best and brightest career-minded foodservice professionals in the industry, many of whom are trained in the culinary arts. If you have a passion for food and love a great working environment where hard work is rewarded, you'll fit in nicely at Chefs' Toys. POSITION SUMMARY: The Buyer reports to the Divisional Director, Purchasing Located in Fountain Valley Full-Time Hybrid As a Buyer, you will play a pivotal role in optimizing our procurement processes, ensuring the acquisition of items and goods at the right price, quantity, and timing. Your focus on building strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external suppliers will contribute to meeting customer needs and achieving overall inventory and working capital objectives. This role requires a deep understanding of the assigned product category and collaboration with cross-functional teams, including accounting and operations, to handle invoicing, cost discrepancies, and receiving variances.

Requirements

Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and experienced in MRP usage.
Strong vendor management skills to establish and maintain effective supplier relationships.
Advanced analytical skills with the ability to prioritize multiple projects and tasks in a fast-paced environment.
Strong communication skills and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
Demonstrated organizational abilities with a strong sense of urgency.
2 – 4 years of buying/planning/sourcing/negotiating experience in a distribution environment or equivalent military or practical experience, or equivalent military or practical experience.
Experience in the food service industry.
Familiarity with contracts and rebates.
Ability to successfully pass a background check post offer acceptance.

Nice To Haves

Experience with paper, disposables, or janitorial products is a plus.

Responsibilities

Utilize MRP to procure special and stock items with a focus on the right quantity, cost, and timing.
Update pricing, inventory, and master files to maintain accuracy.
Build and develop relationships with key suppliers to enhance collaboration and ensure reliable supply chains.
Perform supplier reviews, address performance issues, and provide effective solutions.
Interact with sales personnel by providing price lists, updates on out-of-stock items, and recommending alternatives.
Work closely with customer service and accounting teams to resolve issues, including payment discrepancies and product-related inquiries.
Compile comprehensive RFQ packages to facilitate informed decision-making in the procurement process.
Ensure timely resolution of past-due purchase orders to meet departmental goals.
Collaborate with the operations team to address receiving variances and over/under shipments.