Buyer

Quaker-Valley-Foods; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Quaker-Valley-Foods is seeking a Purchasing & Supplier Management professional to source and procure products, manage supplier relationships, and optimize inventory levels.

You will monitor market trends, analyze pricing, and support margins while coordinating with Sales, Warehouse, and Finance to ensure on-time deliveries and cost efficiency.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of purchasing, procurement and/or inventory management.
• Strong negotiation and supplier relationship management skills.
• Experience managing inventory and purchasing activities.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Intermediate to advanced Microsoft Excel knowledge.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Source and procure products from domestic and international suppliers to support inventory requirements.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships and negotiate pricing, terms, and service.
• Monitor inventory levels, turns, aging, and stockouts; set reorder points and safety stock.
• Analyze market trends and commodity prices to inform purchasing decisions.
• Maintain accurate product costs, review price changes, and support margin objectives.
• Create and manage purchase orders; track shipments and supplier status.
• Collaborate with Sales, Warehouse, Transportation, and Finance to resolve issues.
• Generate reports on purchasing, inventory, pricing, and supplier performance.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, or related field

Tools

Excel

ERP systems

Job description

Description

Purchasing & Supplier Management

• Source and procure products from domestic and international suppliers to support customer demand and inventory requirements
• Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers.
• Negotiate product pricing, payment terms, freight arrangements, and service agreements.
• Evaluate supplier performance related to quality, pricing, service, and fill rates.
• Identify and qualify new supplier and product opportunities.
• Review supplier allocations, shortages, and service issues while communicating impacts internally.

Inventory Management

• Manage inventory levels to maintain product availability while controlling inventory costs.
• Monitor inventory turns, aging inventory, and slow-moving items.
• Establish reorder points, safety stock levels, and inventory targets.
• Collaborate with warehouse and inventory control teams to improve inventory accuracy.
• Work proactively to reduce stockouts, overstocks, and product waste.

Market Analysis & Commodity Monitoring

• Monitor industry trends, commodity markets, supplier pricing, and market conditions impacting product cost and availability.
• Research and analyze market intelligence to support purchasing decisions.
• Identify opportunities to purchase strategically based on market conditions and demand forecasts.
• Communicate market trends and pricing changes to management and sales teams.

Pricing & Margin Management

• Maintain accurate product costs within company systems.
• Review supplier price changes and update customer pricing as necessary.
• Support company margin objectives through effective purchasing decisions.
• Analyze product profitability and identify opportunities for margin improvement.
• Provide cost and market information to support sales initiatives and customer quoting.

Purchase Order & Order Management

• Create and maintain accurate purchase orders.
• Review open purchase orders and follow up on overdue shipments.
• Obtain shipping confirmations, proof of delivery, and supplier status updates.
• Coordinate with suppliers to ensure orders are shipped and delivered as scheduled.
• Maintain records of purchases, shipments, supplier communications, and related documentation.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Sales, Customer Service, Warehouse Operations, Transportation, and Finance departments.
• Communicate order status, product availability, shortages, and supplier updates.
• Assist with customer returns, credits, substitutions, and supplier-related issues.
• Support marketing programs, promotions, and special buying opportunities.
• Partner with Accounts Payable to resolve invoice and pricing discrepancies.

Reporting & Administration

• Generate and review purchasing, inventory, pricing, and supplier performance reports.
• Maintain accurate product costs and purchasing records.
• Track procurement metrics including inventory levels, fill rates, service levels, and margin performance.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and inventory planning activities.
• Perform special projects and additional duties as assigned.

Requirements

• 3–5 years of purchasing, procurement and/or inventory management.
• Strong negotiation and supplier relationship management skills.
• Experience managing inventory and purchasing activities.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Intermediate to advanced Microsoft Excel knowledge.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred

• Experience in foodservice, wholesale food distribution, grocery, meat/protein, or related industries.
• Knowledge of commodity markets and food industry pricing trends.
• Experience with ERP, inventory management, and purchasing systems.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Agriculture, Food Science, or related field.
• Professional purchasing or supply chain certifications are a plus.

Core Competencies

• Strategic Sourcing
• Supplier Relationship Management
• Negotiation
• Inventory Planning & Control
• Market & Commodity Analysis
• Pricing & Margin Management
• Data Analysis & Reporting
• Attention to Detail
• Problem Solving
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Time Management
• Decision Making

Working Conditions

• Primarily office environment.
• Ability to sit and work at a computer for extended periods.
• Occasionally move throughout warehouse and office locations.
• Occasional travel to supplier facilities, trade events, or industry meetings as needed.
• May require occasional evening or weekend work based on business needs.