Direct Goods Buyer

Juniper-Landscaping; Florida; On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision insurance

401K plan

PTO

Job summary

Juniper is seeking a Direct Goods Buyer to manage end-to-end procurement of horticultural products across our Florida operations. You will develop and execute strategic purchasing plans, negotiate favorable supplier terms, and secure a reliable, cost-efficient supply of plant materials.

Ideal candidates bring 5+ years in horticulture procurement with leadership experience, strong analytical skills, and proficiency in MS Office/Adobe.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years in horticulture within landscaping, with at least 2 years in purchasing.
• At least 3 years in a leadership or managerial role.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe, and mobile devices.
• Willingness to travel frequently and hold a valid US driver’s license with MVR checks.

Responsibilities

• Oversee end-to-end procurement for horticultural products.
• Develop and execute procurement strategies and negotiate contracts with suppliers.
• Ensure a steady, cost-effective supply of plant materials and monitor supplier quality.
• Collaborate with vendors, manage relationships, and enforce compliance with standards.
• Coordinate with logistics for plant deliveries and align with project budgets and timelines.
• Maintain purchasing data in ERP systems and support forecasting and inventory planning.
• Evaluate vendor performance and drive process improvements in procurement operations.

Skills

Analytical skills

Leadership

Purchasing experience

Horticulture knowledge

MS Office/Adobe

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

The Direct Goods Buyer role oversees the end-to-end procurement process for horticultural products. They will be responsible for developing and executing procurement strategies, negotiating contracts with suppliers, and ensuring a steady and cost-effective supply of horticultural goods. Collaborating closely with vendors, they will cultivate and manage relationships, monitor product quality, and enforce compliance with industry standards. Their contribution will be instrumental in maintaining a seamless supply chain, driving efficiency, and supporting the organization's goals in the horticulture sector.• Support efforts in recruiting, hiring, and onboarding new employees. Foster a culture of continuous learning by providing training and development opportunities to enhance team skills and performance.• Effectively manage employee performance by clearly communicating expectations, providing regular and constructive feedback, and addressing both positive contributions and areas for improvement. Foster a culture of accountability and continuous growth.• Promote a positive and inclusive work environment by actively recognizing achievements, addressing employee concerns promptly, and using approaches to maintain high levels of employee satisfaction and retention.• Oversee plant material purchasing for assigned territory, including issuing purchase order requisitions, and ensuring alignment with project needs, budgets, and timelines.• Negotiate and manage supplier pricing and delivery terms, securing the best possible value for plant materials. Provide updated pricing and quotes for special projects to the estimating team and ensure timely communication of any price changes.• Source and qualify new vendors to ensure consistent supply, reduce risk, and support regional project demands. Build and maintain strong relationships with existing suppliers to ensure service reliability and quality standards are met.• Collaborate with the logistics team on delivery requirements for internal and external plant deliveries, coordinating with branches on timing and specifications.• Monitor and ensure plant material quality, verifying that all products meet or exceed applicable nursery or municipal standards. Proactively identify supply shortages or quality issues and recommend appropriate substitutions or corrective actions.• Conduct site visits to nurseries or vendor locations, tagging plant materials and capturing submittal photos as required to support internal documentation or customer approval processes.• Maintain accurate purchasing data and system parameters, such as lead times, minimum order quantities (MOQs), and volume price breaks, ensuring clean data in ERP or procurement systems to support accurate forecasting and inventory planning.• Evaluate vendor performance and provide feedback, identifying opportunities to improve quality, service, or responsiveness. Support internal teams with vendor-related issues as needed.• Recommend process improvements that enhance the efficiency, accuracy, and scalability of procurement operations. Collaborate with other procurement team members to standardize best practices across regions.• Stay informed of industry trends and plant availability, including seasonal impacts, market shifts, or regulatory changes that may affect procurement decisions or material costs.• Support the Procurement Coordinators in completing their essential functions during periods of absence or higher business demands.• Perform other relevant duties, as assigned.Qualifications• Minimum of 5 years of horticulture in the landscaping industry progressive, preferably with 2 years of purchasing experience and at least 3 years in a leadership or managerial role.• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.• Proficient in computer and technology skills including working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe, and mobile devices.• Ability to travel frequently to conduct site visits to nurseries, vendor locations and branches.• Must possess a valid US driver’s license (or equivalent) and meet Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) verification requirements.About UsJuniper is a full-service landscape design, build, and management company servicing the Southeast. Our family of companies proudly includes Juniper, Davis Landscape, Elegant, Shooter & Lindsey, Hilton Head Landscapes and Rip's. We are recognized as award-winning leaders in our industry with over 30 locations and 2,000+ team members. At Juniper, the foundation of who we are, how we perform, and how we treat others is guided by our core values. We are committed to a culture that welcomes, grows, and celebrates people who share in our mission to design, build, and maintain the best landscaping in the industry.We offer career growth opportunities and excellent benefits (health/dental/vision insurance, 401K, and PTO plans). Join our company, where we Welcome/Grow/Celebrate you at Juniper!