Buyer - Remote

UNFI; Providence (RI); Remote; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

UNFI is seeking a Buyer to manage inventory levels and outbound fill rate to support customer needs and financial targets. The role owns daily replenishment for assigned categories, placing purchase orders with suppliers, and monitoring inbound flow while analyzing reports and sales trends to drive procurement decisions.

The Buyer will optimize UNFI inventory levels across suppliers/categories, collaborating with procurement to ensure high service levels and minimize excess.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field preferred or equivalent experience.
• 2+ years of relevant experience in procurement or supply chain.

Responsibilities

• Manage inbound flow of product and inventory to maintain targeted outbound service levels.
• Oversee end-to-end buying desk and meet department metrics (fill rate, days on hand, shrink).
• Conduct root-cause analysis of demand fluctuations and implement actions with Procurement partners.
• Procure and manage investment buys to meet category profitability targets.
• Create and analyze daily/weekly reports to monitor service levels and inventory turns.
• Maintain inventory levels within targets as product arrives to maximize fill rate and minimize waste.
• Monitor product data to ensure goals for fill rate and in-stock are met.
• Mentor and train members of buying team.
• Prioritize purchase orders, manage inventories, monitor usage changes and vendor back orders.
• Communicate with internal/external stakeholders to drive visibility and action plans.

Skills

Procurement knowledge

Forecasting practices

Grocery categories

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Remote work

SQL

Excel proficiency

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Tools

Excel

Power BI

Alteryx

SQL

Python

Job description

Job Overview

The Buyer will be responsible for inventory level management and outbound fill rate to support UNFI customer needs and financial targets. The position will own the day-to-day activities of inventory replenishment for selected categories inclusive of placing purchase orders our suppliers, actively managing inbound flow of product, anticipating demand swings and will regularly analyze reports and sales trends to make effective procurement decisions. The Buyer will manage UNFI inventory levels for all assigned suppliers and/or categories to provide efficient service to internal and external customers.

Job Overview

The Buyer will be responsible for inventory level management and outbound fill rate to support UNFI customer needs and financial targets. The position will own the day-to-day activities of inventory replenishment for selected categories inclusive of placing purchase orders our suppliers, actively managing inbound flow of product, anticipating demand swings and will regularly analyze reports and sales trends to make effective procurement decisions. The Buyer will manage UNFI inventory levels for all assigned suppliers and/or categories to provide efficient service to internal and external customers. What does it mean to be part of the UNFI Procurement Team? The Procurement team is a key contributor to UNFI and is responsible for strategic planning, purchasing and management of over $2B in inventory. The procurement teams work hand and hand to support our customers and suppliers' needs, while achieving the goal of providing high service levels, and working towards creating new innovative solutions to drive UNFI growth. Partnering with our suppliers and customers, we strive to make them stronger, our supply chain better and our food solutions more inspired.

Job Responsibilities

• Accountable for inbound flow of product and inventory level management to maintain targeted outbound service levels impacting organizational profitability and customer success.
• End to end responsibility for assigned buying desk while achieving department required metrics (i.e., fill rate, days on hand, shrink, etc.).
• Responsible for root cause analysis of inconsistency in demand to understand drivers, determine needed actions, and implement those actions in coordination with Procurement partners to protect service and limit excess.
• Procures and manages investment buys to attain projected category profitability.
• Creates, reviews, and analyzes daily/weekly self-service reports to check service levels and inventory turns, adjusts as needed.
• Manages appropriate inventory levels within set targets as product arrives as scheduled allowing for appropriate lead time to maximize fill rate and minimize excess and spoilage.
• Monitors product data to ensure category goals are met for fill rate, and in-stock.
• Assists in mentoring and training members of buying team.
• Meets deadlines and completes special projects as assigned.
• Organize and prioritize purchase orders, maintain inventories, monitor usage inconsistencies, price changes, pack changes and vendor back orders.
• Work independently to identify and implement opportunities to achieve and improve KPI goals, understanding key drivers and able to communicate the detail effectively across a variety of levels in the organization.
• Leverage Microsoft Office, Excel, Word, Outlook, Adobe reader, Power BI and proprietary host systems to communicate to internal and external stakeholders.
• Communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders to bring visibility to opportunities within area of responsibility. Anticipates and analyzes impacts and develops action plan that engages suppliers, customers, internal stakeholders such as operations, sales, merchandising, and leadership.
• Build and maintain relationships with internal and external UNFI customers including suppliers, external customers, operations, sales, and merchandising teams, to drive results.
• Review, understand and act on forecasting demand trends and be able to execute proactively.
• Collaborate with other internal teams to identify and solve supply chain issues for external customers.
• Performs other relevant job duties as required.

Job Requirements

Education/ Certifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field preferred or equivalent experience.

Experience

• 2+ years of relevant experience.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Have a basic knowledge of procurement and logistics processes.
• Knowledge of industry forecasting practices.
• Knowledge of large-scale distribution networks.
• Understanding of grocery categories.
• Strong analytical and math skillset.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel.
• Capable of learning and utilizing multiple disparate systems.
• Ability to identify and understand trends.
• Ability to investigate and analyze information and to draw conclusions.
• Excellent problem-solving capabilities.
• Ability to manage multiple simultaneous workstreams while ensuring base forecasting needs are met.
• Mindset of continuous improvement.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Ability to use own judgement to make decisions and drive results.
• Can work independently as well as with a larger group.
• Preferred SQL, Python, Alteryx, etc.
• Ability to work pro-actively and autonomously in a remote work environment.

Work Environment

Remote Role:

• This position is classified as remote where the associate will perform remote work from their primary residence. Remote associates are welcome to work from the office but are not required to do so. While remote associates are not required to work from an office on a regular basis, they may be required to come to the office or other UNFI locations for necessary business reasons or if directed to do so by their manager.

Physical Environment/Demands

Office Roles:

• Some travel may be required
• Most work is performed in a temperature-controlled office environment
• Incumbent may sit for long periods of time at desk or computer terminal
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.
• Incumbent may use calculators, keyboards, telephone, and other office equipment in the course of normal workday.
• Stooping, bending, twisting, and reaching may be required in completion of job duties.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of the work performed by the employees assigned to this job. All employees must comply with Company policy and applicable laws. The responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified may vary within each department and/or location.

About UNFI

We are North America’s premier grocery wholesaler, delivering the widest variety of fresh, branded, and owned brand products to community grocers and retail chains alike. A pioneer in natural and organic foods, we are growing and transforming to meet the needs of an evolving workplace. Our 29,000+ employees work across America in our 50 Distribution Centers and corporate offices. Learn more: Organic, Natural and Conventional Food | Wholesale Food Distributors | UNFI

Benefits

Competitive 401k, Flexible PTO, Remote, Health benefits – first of the month following 30 days of employment, mentorship program/developmental opportunities.

UNFI is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive and respectful environment for all. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other protected ground. Accommodation is available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the job selection process. - Veteran/Disability. VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

Compensation

UNFI anticipates paying the above-referenced pay rate (or within the above-referenced pay range) for this position. Actual Pay, where applicable, will depend on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, education, experience, training, and any requirements under applicable collective bargaining agreements. UNFI is committed to transparency in pay in compliance with applicable state and local laws.

Benefits

For Washington positions (or positions that may be performed remotely from Washington), https://www.unfi.com/jobs-more-info-wa.html for Washington-specific paid time off details.

Candidates hired into this position will also be eligible to participate in the following benefits programs: Paid Time Off; Sick Time; paid holidays and parental leave; 401K Program; medical, dental, vision, life, and accidental death/dismemberment insurance; short-term and long-term disability insurance program, Flexible Spending Account and/or Health Savings Account, subject to meeting the eligibility requirements and the terms and conditions of these programs, and subject to any requirements under applicable collective bargaining agreements.

UNFI’s compensation, benefits, and paid time off policies are subject to change in the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with applicable law. This job posting should not be construed as an offer of employment with certain terms, nor should it be construed as a guaranteed minimum.

Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act.