Produce Buyer $500 HIRING BONUS

Middlebury Natural Foods Co-op•Middlebury, VT

9d•$20 - $23

About The Position

The Produce Buyer joins a customer-service-focused Produce department offering a changing selection of fresh produce, much of it locally sourced or organically grown. This full-time role works 32–40 hours per week and combines purchasing, inventory management, vendor relationships, merchandising, and customer service. The Produce Buyer meets regularly with the department manager to align on goals and strategy. A $500 hiring bonus is available to external candidates after six months of employment.

Requirements

Background in purchasing, buying, or inventory management.
Strong attention to detail and time-management skills.
Clear, professional communication and organizational skills.
Ability to lift up to 50 lbs., stand for long shifts, and work in coolers and freezers.

Nice To Haves

Retail produce experience in purchasing, merchandising, or quality control.
Working knowledge of organic standards and multi-vendor sourcing.
Strong numerical and analytical skills for margin tracking and inventory management.
Background in natural foods or co-op retail.
Comfort using Microsoft Suite, Google Suite, and point-of-sale systems.

Responsibilities

Place and receive orders to keep the department consistently well-stocked.
Build strong, mutually beneficial relationships with local growers and vendors.
Track sales trends and seasonal movement to develop an exciting, competitive product mix.
Negotiate pricing and apply variable margin strategies to meet department goals.
Keep PLUs, costs, and product data accurate and current in the POS system.
Help plan and maintain attractive, well-rotated produce displays.
Support quarterly inventories, case cleanings, and accurate recordkeeping.
Provide excellent customer service and share product knowledge with shoppers.
Meet regularly with the department manager to align on goals and strategy.