(FT) Grocery Buyer

Honest Weight Food Cooperative•Albany, NY

7d•$25•Onsite

About The Position

Honest Weight Food Co-op Grocery Buyer Overview: Responsible for daily replenishment buying of the Grocery Department. Secure the right products, from the right sources, at the right times, and at the best prices, to ensure a stellar and high-quality product mix for the Grocery Department at HWFC. Take a data-driven approach to make purchasing decisions and manage order fulfillment, maintain optimal inventory levels, improve product mix, help plan shelf and off-shelf sales and promotions. Work closely with the Grocery Manager to improve the category as a whole. Reports To: Grocery Manager Status: Full-Time, hourly non-exempt, 40 hours/week, Monday-Friday days, up to one evening, based on business demands. Wage: $25.00/hour

Requirements

Must be at least 18 years of age
High level of interest and engagement in the natural products industry
Excellent organizational and communication skills.
Experience as product buyer, assistant department manager or other relevant retail grocery experience

Responsibilities

Daily replenishment buying for the Grocery Department, including dairy, refridgerated, frozen foods, bread, beer, and pets.
Work on category resets to optimize shelf space in order to minimize out-of-stocks and inventory.
Maintain optimal levels of inventory, meaning full shelves and a minimal, necessity-based back stock, on product lines as assigned by the Grocery Manager.
Maintain strong awareness of current back stock and assist Grocery Manager in planning exit strategy for excess product
Maintain detailed records of ordering and frequently communicate order updates and issues to the Grocery Manager
Coordinate purchasing decisions with the Grocery Manager to meet the needs of the co-op
Answer Grocery phone and respond to calls and customer questions as needed
Ensure that all products in the Grocery Department meet the requirements of the co-op’s Food and Product Manual
Work with the Grocery Manager and Marketing Department to plan exciting and thematic endcap displays, organize on and off-shelf sales, new product highlights, and additional means of promoting product, by means of strategic planning and ordering
Work with the Grocery Manager and all departments to plan, purchase, and create cross-merchandising opportunities
Negotiate consistently with suppliers, brokers, and sales representatives for best prices, new items, quality, terms, and delivery.
Actively work to improve the Grocery department product mix by identifying exciting new products, in addition to identifying and eliminating poor selling products, utilizing a data-driven approach via SMS, industry trends, and information gained via sales representatives
Work the night of endcap changeover, helping lead endcap changeover. In conjunction with the Center Store Manager, develop a detailed plan for changeover to increase efficiency and decrease inventory pressure on backroom.
Actively model and coach professional behavior that is expected of all staff to customers, members, and staff
Actively listen, give, and respond to feedback to/from customers, members, staff, and supervisors
Actively utilize e-mail communication in order to maintain a cohesive, working relationship with sales representatives, the Grocery Manager, and others. Respond to e-mails daily.
Attend required meetings
Regular visits to industry trade shows, table top shows and other retail establishments selling similar products to stay appraised of market trends and pricing at the direction of the Center Store Manager.
Complete tasks within expected timeframe
Work with the Marketing Department to keep shelf tags and department signage meeting merchandising standards
Stock products as necessary and assigned by the Grocery Manager
Additional tasks as assigned by the Grocery Manager