Buyer - Fresh Category

Four Seasons Produce; Ephrata (Lancaster County); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Earned wage access

Paid time off

Flexible Spending Account

401(k) retirement plans with employer

Life insurance

Disability coverage

Tuition reimbursement

Wellness programs

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Four Seasons Produce, Inc. is seeking a Buyer – Fresh Category in Ephrata, PA, to lead inventory planning and management for our fresh products including meats, dairy, deli, and more.

You will work with internal teams on exceptions and optimize stock levels, code date compliance, and supplier performance. You will forecast demand, manage daily priorities, and present opportunities to sales while maintaining strong vendor relationships.

Qualifications

• Strong analytical and presentation skills.
• Solid computer skills with experience in Microsoft Office.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Plan and manage inventory for fresh products to meet fill rate and shrink targets.
• Forecast to optimize code date compliance, days of supply, and turn plans.
• Prioritize daily tasks to complete product management on time.
• Manage vendor performance and develop supplier relationships to address issues.
• Coordinate supplier support for promotions and ensure accurate forms and communication flow.
• Communicate inventory exceptions daily with internal partners and vendors.

Skills

Analytical skills

Presentation skills

Microsoft Office

Interpersonal skills

Written communication

Verbal communication

Time management

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Job Requirements

The Buyer – Fresh Category position is responsible for the inventory planning and management of assigned brands and products in the fresh category, which includes natural and organic meats, dairy, deli, prepared foods and more. This position is responsible for communication with internal business partners on inventory exceptions, long, aged and code dated inventories daily as well as market and vendor exceptions. The Buyer – Fresh Category is responsible for inventory levels, troubleshooting supplier performance issues and communicating impact to the organization.

The Basics

Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:00 am - 4:00 pm

Location: Ephrata, PA

What You Do

• Effective planning and management of inventory for assigned fresh products with key performance goals for fill rate and shrink.
• Effective forecasting best practices for planning and managing inventory to ensure code date compliance, days of supply and turn plans are optimized.
• Prioritize daily to ensure product management tasks are complete on time.
• Manage vendor performance and develop vendor relationships. Follow up and develop solutions to problems related to fill rate, loading, rejections, on time delivery, temperature compliance etc.
• Coordinate supplier support for placement and promotional deals. Confirm forms are accurate and that communication and document flow process is followed.
• Communicate to internal business partners on inventory exceptions, long, aged and code dated inventories daily as well as market and vendor exceptions.
• Present opportunities to the sales team in our weekly meetings along with sharing specific supplier or market information on assigned brands and commodities.
• Effectively determine inventory adjustments based on demand changes due to new2​ accounts, potential opportunities identified through marketing efforts and accounts changes that would diminish or increase demand.
• Coordination of Internal and external industry and category education.
• Meets deadlines and completes projects as assigned.
• Represent Four Seasons Produce, Inc. and the Four Seasons Family of Companies in a positive and professional manner.

What You Bring

• High school diploma or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum of 1 year of buying or buying support experience, preferably in natural\organic fresh foods.
• Fresh food retail or wholesale distribution is a plus.
• Strong analytical and presentation skills.
• Solid computer skills with experience in Microsoft Office.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize and make sound decisions.

What We Offer

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Earned wage access – flexible access to wages before payday
• Paid time off and holidays
• Flexible spending account for healthcare and dependent care
• 401(K) retirement plans with employer match
• Company life insurance and voluntary life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage
• Tuition reimbursement
• Wellness programs
• Employee assistance program, Success Coach, and more!

Who We Are

We are a family of companies that focus on wholesale produce distribution and logistics across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions. We partner with local growers to bring fresh organic and conventional produce to our Lancaster County, PA facility. We grade and package fruits and vegetables, sending only the best with our drivers to deliver to independent retailers, natural food stores, and food co-ops.

We care about our associates and are committed to a healthy, diverse, and inclusive work environment. All employment decisions are made on a non-discriminatory basis, and without regard to sex, race, color, age, national origin, religion, disability, pregnancy or maternity, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender reassignment, citizenship status, military status, or any other similarly protected status under federal, state, and local laws.

Four Seasons Family of Companies participates in E-Verify. Four Seasons Family of Companies participa en E-Verify.