Job Purpose/Objective
The Purchasing Agent will oversee the assigned perishable food commodities and ensure that inventory levels are adequate to meet the current business demands, while strictly managing product freshness and rotation. This role also involves meeting margin targets for all purchased products while acquiring the right amounts under specific contracts to comply with individual concepts. Additionally, the agent will be tasked with managing inventory effectively to reduce shrinkage for the products they handle.
Essential Job Functions:
- Ensure the entry of purchase orders to uphold adequate inventory levels corresponding to the current business demands for all perishable products
- Procure appropriate quantities under specific contracts to ensure compliance with individual concepts.
- Engage in communication with colleagues from other departments regarding potential shortages and seek assistance as necessary to sustain adequate inventory levels.
- Utilize established relationships with current suppliers while exploring new suppliers' options to realize cost reductions on products and shipping expenses.
- Address any issues with shippers promptly, with particular attention to monitoring quality concerns related to unusable products and the necessary credits associated with them.
- Confirm that specific purchases are made weekly to meet essential pricing requirements.
- Attend to all inquiries from sales associates regarding perishable product requests, special orders, and product information.
- Collaborate with the Quality Control and Inventory teams to ensure the availability of sellable products throughout their shelf life.
Additional Job Functions:
- Manage costing functions in ERP for price basis at market cost to achieve margin goals
- Communicate with warehouse, customer service, and shipping departments concerning product issues, shortages, returns, transfers, etc.
- Coordinate with the precut department to maintain proper levels of product needed for production
- Coordinate with the transportation department concerning any specific pickups or delivery requirements
- Communicate with other purchasing department members in problem solving and achievement of departmental and individual goals and results
Working Conditions/Job Environment:
The physical demands associated with this position are generally classified as light, with approximately 85% of the time spent sitting and 15% engaged in standing or walking activities.
Qualifications- Bachelor’s degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, or a related discipline.
- 2 to 3 years of experience in the Supply Chain or Logistics.
- Experienced in purchasing full truckload quantities of perishable products
- Knowledge: Proficiency in Microsoft Excel
- Skills and Abilities: Capable of data manipulation, performing calculations, and Compiling information into comprehensive reports.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, or a related discipline
- 2 to 3 years of experience in Supply Chain or Logistics
- Experience purchasing full truckload quantities of perishable products
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel
- Ability to manipulate data, perform calculations, and compile comprehensive reports
What We Do
PJK Wards Holdings LLC operates as Ward’s Produce, a family-owned, fourth-generation wholesale produce distributor based in Raleigh, North Carolina. The business supplies fresh farmed produce and specialty products to restaurants across the Triangle area and serves foodservice, hospitality groups, hotels, casinos, retirement homes, grocery stores, business units, and cafeterias. It does not generally deliver to individual consumers, while offering warehouse will-call purchases.
