Perishable Buyer

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The perishable buyer (produce, dairy, etc.) drives category performance through detailed analysis of product assortment, including historical changes and future forecasting.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Acts as a category subject expert.

• Determines the best methods to improve forecast accuracy and adjusts models to improve product performance.  Analyzes and adjusts system forecasts based on review of product movement including, but not limited to, seasonality, market trends and probability of anticipated sales.

• Seeks the ideal balance between on-hand inventory and uninterrupted customer order fulfillment.

• Ensures product availability through the timely delivery of inbound transportation loads to multiple DCs.

• Finds ways to create and increase backhaul opportunities.

• Maintains a minimum customer product fill rate of 99.95%.

• Oversees the purchase order process:

  • Reviews PO exceptions and holds vendor(s) accountable

  • Appropriately handles any identified PO discrepancies and makes the necessary change to assure best inventory resolution and customer order fulfillment

  • Process all Special Orders

• Performs daily evaluation of inventory reports and solves supply issues that may occur due to increased sales demand or vendor underperformance using available resources for inventory analysis, including, but not limited to:

  • Service Level Report (Back Order);

  • Prior Day’s Receiving Report;

  • Buyer Priority List (Buyer Stock Status Report);

  • Inventory Analysis Tool (WAT)

  • Perishable Product Code Date Reports.

• Expedites inbound product shipments based on issues discovered by reviewing the above reports, with the goal of recovering on any issues before the DC is out of stock.

• Reviews and confirms stock for distributor/jobber orders to ensure appropriate inventory levels for normal operations.

• Establishes vendor relationships supporting collaboration and management objectives while simultaneously gauging vendor performance.

• Develops and maintains prosperous relationship with assigned vendor contacts – broker rep and/or customer service rep; keeps system records updated on vendor customer service contacts and references.

• Works with vendors to identify and resolve issues relative to vendor related delays and expedition costs – escalates to manager when unable to resolve.

• Collaborates with various stakeholders to resolve and recover from replenishment issues such as vendor shorts, out of stocks, transportation delays and/or rescheduling, while processing vendor credit and debit memos based on product quality and/or damage issues and all vendor underperformance claims (i.e., bill-back processing for dock delays, vendor returns, etc.).

• Identifies long, slow or dead inventory issues and proposes a financially responsible resolution to Supply Chain Management for consideration.

• Determines repack list.

• Manages accurate costs based on vendor price lists, PO confirmations and vendor invoice reconciliations.

• Prepares documentation regarding price changes; forwards to Cost-Price.

• Supports Cost-Price in realizing cost accuracy goals and lower consistent costs across DCs.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.  The qualifications listed below are representative of the required knowledge, skill and/or ability and the physical requirements.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to read and write routine correspondence in English

• Intermediate mathematical skills

• Proven listening, communication, follow-through and interpersonal skills

• Effective organizational abilities, conflict management, decision making, problem-solving and negotiation skills along with a sense of urgency

• Excellent customer service skills, with the ability to work through obstacles to achieve a goal

• Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.)

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in business or supply chain management, or equivalent combination of education and relevant job experience.

• Minimum two (2) years purchasing, supply chain or demand planning experience required.

• Foodservice industry or relevant field experience required.

Why US Foods:

Compensation depends on relevant experience and/or education, specific skills, function, geographic location, and other factors as applicable by law.  The expected base rate for this role is between $26.00 and $39.00. This role will also receive overtime compensation.

​Benefits for this role may include health insurance, pre-tax spending accounts, retirement benefits, paid time off, short-term and long-term disability, employee stock purchase plan, and life insurance. To review available benefits, please click here: https://www.usfoods.com/careers/benefits.html.

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