Buyer/ Category Analyst

Lipari Foods•Warren, MI

51d

About The Position

As a Buyer- Category Analyst, you'll find innovative ways to manage the procurement of products through our vendors. You thrive on making processes more efficient and scalable, you work to ensure the highest level of quality of our operations and you proactively minimize operational risk. The Category Analyst monitors all assigned product during the entire purchasing cycle, from beginning to end. They establish product requirements with regard to normal customer movement and movement determined by advertised specials. The category analyst assigns purchase orders, works with logistics to arrange transportation, and secures delivery dates. The category analyst is also tasked with monitoring and maintaining inventory levels as determined by the Director of Procurement. The ideal candidate will be an assertive, detail-oriented individual with knowledge in their assigned category. We are specifically looking for a candidate with food purchasing experience.

Requirements

Associate degree required; Bachelor degree a plus
Food purchasing experience preferred
Intermediate to Advanced level of proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel
Strong mathematical, problem solving and forecasting skills
Consistent record of analyzing and trouble-shooting complex systems or processes
Proven ability to work in a "Team-Based" or Individual environment. Based on need of the department
Professional written and verbal communication skills
Must be able to read, write and understand English
Demonstrated capacity to successfully complete multiple tasks in a high-volume purchasing environment

Responsibilities

Responsible for procurement of all items in specified category
Analyze items from multiple vendors within specified guidelines
Communicate and collaborate with vendor and brokers when issues arise with product
Partner with Internal Departments to understand all assigned inventory to ensure that product is being stored properly, rotated properly, and product movement is consistent
Review and identify "buy-in opportunities"
Identify and gather information pertinent to the analysis of back haul opportunities
Maintain, analyze, and adjust the turn forecasting
Perform real time promotional analysis of ad items to ensure the highest service levels utilizing the least amount of inventory
Optimize Demand Planning tools to help achieve a proactive and adaptable approach to forecasting
Responsible for establishing product requirements with regard to normal product movement by customers and movement of product as determined by advertised specials
Coordinates disposition of substandard product, incoming or currently in the inventory, with inventory staff and vendor
Establishes relationships with a variety of vendors and brokers
Other tasks as needed