Bulk Buyer & Inventory Strategist

Buffalo Mountain Market co-op; Vermont; Hybrid; USD 23,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Buffalo Mountain Market co-op is seeking a Bulk Buyer to maintain a thriving bulk area by sourcing new products, phasing out slow movers, pricing, and merchandising for members and customers. This hands-on role includes stocking and cleaning the bulk section.

The ideal candidate loves whole foods, is familiar with bulk products, and thrives in a collaborative environment to keep the community fed. Key duties include inventory control, vendor relations, customer service, and ensuring shelves are

Qualifications

• Experience managing bulk foods inventory and supplier relationships.
• Ability to lift 60 lbs and perform stocking tasks.
• Strong collaboration and community-focused mindset.

Responsibilities

• Inventory control, pricing, merchandising, and supplier relations for bulk area.
• Provide customer service, handle special orders, and ensure POS accuracy.
• Negotiate with suppliers and coordinate delivery times with vendors.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Multitasking

Independent work

Job description

Description

The bulk buyer is responsible for keeping the products ordered and the bulk area abundant. This includes finding new products to bring into the store, discontinuing items that aren’t moving, and keeping the inventory appealing to the customers. This role oversees inventory control, pricing, merchandising, and supplier relationships while negotiating the best deals for our members and customers. The bulk buyer is a hands-on position that includes stocking and cleaning the bulk area. The ideal candidate loves whole food, is familiar with bulk products and their uses, enjoys working in a collaborative environment, and wants to keep their community fed.

Status:
Buyer 2 is Level III, $17 - $19/hr

Full-time, Tuesday through Saturday

Inventory

• Review invoices for accuracy, price changes, and product additions. Keeps the inventory database updated.
• Quality control of goods sold, including returning rejected items, spoiling items, and pest management
• Establish prices, sales, and promotions to achieve set margin goals
• Maintains targeted margin goals
• Category management, including responding to movement reports to replace slow movers and bring in new products.
• Ensures merchandising standards are met, including keeping the products abundantly stocked and tagged appropriately
• Performing quarterly inventory counts

Customer Service

• Answers customer questions and responds to product suggestions
• Handles special orders appropriately so they are easy to purchase and customers are notified.
• Provides good customer service to coworkers by communicating delivery times and ensuring products ring out in the POS system accurately
• Keeps the bulk area stocked, neat, organized, and appealing to customers.

Vendor Relations

• Negotiate with suppliers, brokers, and sales reps for favorable prices, terms, quality, and delivery.
• Communicate ordering times, deadlines, and changes in delivery time to other departments with shared vendors.

Requirements

Skills Needed

• Strong organizational and communication skills
• Ability to communicate strategy and information to everyone in bulk
• The capacity to pay attention to detail and to multitask
• Ability to work independently and be self-motivated
• Asking for help as needed

Position Requirements

• Able to lift 60 lbs and move boxes safely
• Able to bend down to reach the lowest shelves and access the highest shelves
• Able to walk up and down stairs