Retail Grocery Cost Negotiator

Food World Plus; Mississauga; On-site; CAD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Food World Plus in Mississauga is seeking a Retail Grocery Cost Negotiator to maximize gross margins while maintaining product quality and reliable supply.

You will negotiate with manufacturers and distributors across grocery categories, review pricing and incentives, analyze market trends, and develop annual cost savings initiatives to support competitive retail pricing and strong vendor partnerships.

Qualifications

• Postsecondary education in Business, Supply Chain Management, Finance or related field preferred.
• 3–5 years of grocery purchasing procurement, vendor management, or cost negotiation experience.
• Experience negotiating with food manufacturers and grocery distributors in the CPG industry.
• Strong Excel and purchasing/ERP systems proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate product costs across grocery categories to maximize gross margins.
• Secure competitive pricing, promotional allowances, rebates, volume discounts, freight incentives, and payment terms.
• Review supplier cost increases and negotiate reductions or delayed implementation.
• Analyze market pricing, commodity trends, competitor activity, and supplier cost structures.
• Develop annual cost savings initiatives and identify opportunities to improve gross margins.
• Maintain relationships with vendors while protecting the company's financial interests.
• Collaborate with buyers and category managers on sourcing and assortment decisions.
• Participate in contract negotiations, including pricing agreements and supply commitments.
• Evaluate new suppliers and onboarding terms.
• Monitor vendor performance related to pricing, service levels, and quality standards.
• Resolve pricing discrepancies and invoice issues with suppliers.
• Support promotional planning by negotiating temporary price reductions and marketing funds.
• Prepare cost analyses, negotiation reports, and savings summaries for senior management.
• Ensure supplier agreements comply with policies and regulations.

Skills

Negotiation

Communication

Relationship building

Analytical thinking

Time management

Problem solving

Organization

Education

Postsecondary education in Business/SCM/Finance

Tools

Excel

ERP systems

Job description

The Retail Grocery Cost Negotiator is responsible for negotiating product costs, supplier agreements, rebates, promotional funding, and purchasing terms with manufacturers, distributors, and vendors. The position focuses on maximizing gross margins while maintaining product quality, reliable supply, and competitive retail pricing. This role requires strong analytical skills, market awareness, and the ability to build long-term supplier partnerships.

Key Responsibilities

• Negotiate product costs across grocery, frozen, dairy, meat, produce, seafood, deli, bakery, health & beauty, and general merchandise categories.
• Secure competitive pricing, promotional allowances, rebates, volume discounts, freight incentives, and payment terms.
• Review supplier cost increases and negotiate reductions or delayed implementation whenever possible.
• Analyze market pricing, commodity trends, competitor activity, and supplier cost structures to support negotiations.
• Develop annual cost savings initiatives and identify opportunities to improve gross margins.
• Maintain strong working relationships with vendors while protecting the company's financial interests.
• Collaborate with buyers and category managers on product sourcing and assortment decisions.
• Participate in contract negotiations, including pricing agreements, exclusivity arrangements, and supply commitments.
• Evaluate new suppliers and negotiate onboarding terms.
• Monitor vendor performance related to pricing, service levels, fill rates, and quality standards.
• Resolve pricing discrepancies and invoice issues with suppliers.
• Support promotional planning by negotiating temporary price reductions, marketing funds, and advertising support.
• Prepare cost analyses, negotiation reports, and savings summaries for senior management.
• Ensure supplier agreements comply with company policies and applicable regulations.
• Continuously identify opportunities to improve purchasing efficiency and reduce overall procurement costs.
• Collaborate with merchandising and buying teams to build merchandising calendar of events and promotions, including displays and loyalty programs.

Qualifications

• Postsecondary education in Business, Supply Chain Management, Purchasing, Finance, or a related field is preferred.
• Minimum 3-5 years of experience in grocery purchasing procurement, vendor management, or cost negotiation.
• Experience negotiating with food manufacturers and grocery distributors in the CPG industry is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of grocery retail operations and product categories.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Advanced analytical and problem‑solving abilities.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and purchasing/ERP systems.
• Ability to analyze financial data, pricing models, and gross margin performance.
• Strong organizational skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced retail environment.

Preferred Knowledge

• Promotional funding negotiations
• Freight and logistics cost management
• Commodity market trends
• Inventory management principles
• Contract administration
• Retail gross margin analysis

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Annual negotiated cost savings
• Gross margin improvement
• Vendor rebate and promotional funding secured
• Supplier compliance with negotiated agreements
• Inventory cost optimization
• On‑time completion of contract renewals

Core Competencies

• Strategic Negotiation
• Analytical Thinking
• Relationship Management
• Decision Making
• Communication
• Problem Solving
• Time Management
• Integrity and Professionalism

Working Conditions

Office-based role with occasional travel to supplier facilities, trade shows, and industry events.

Regular interaction with vendors, distributors, buyers, and senior management.

Periodic deadlines related to annual vendor negotiations and promotional planning.

Success in This Role

A successful Retail Grocery Cost Negotiator consistently secures competitive product costs and favorable supplier agreements that improve profitability while maintaining strong supplier relationships and ensuring reliable product availability for customers.

Food World Plus uses Workwolf's AI-enabled tools to sort and screen applications based on job-related criteria. All hiring decisions involve human review.