Grocery Buyer

Eastside Food Cooperative; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Eastside Food Cooperative in Minneapolis seeks a Grocery Buyer to source and stock fresh and pantry items, manage orders with vendors, and maintain an inviting, organized department for customers.

You will collaborate with the Grocery Manager on product selection, promotions, and department procedures, train staff, and monitor inventory levels to prevent out-of-stocks. This hourly, non-exempt role emphasizes teamwork, reliable attendance, and service excellence.

Qualifications

• Experience in grocery or retail is preferred.
• Ability to stand for long periods and lift up to 50 pounds.

Responsibilities

• Order products from vendors to maintain inventory and prevent backstock.
• Receive and stock orders; ensure department is clean and fully stocked.
• Log orders and invoices; communicate issues to the Grocery Manager.
• Assist with merchandising, promotions, and endcap changes.
• Train Grocery Staff and support the Grocery Manager with SOPs and procedures.
• Participate in inventory counts and develop cleaning schedules for assigned area.

Skills

Customer service

Inventory management

Multi-tasking

Self-motivation

Team leadership

Tools

POS system

Job description

Grocery Buyer

REPORTS TO: Grocery Manager

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt, Hourly Employee

DEPARTMENT: Grocery Department

PURPOSE

Grocery Buyers provide excellent customer service and are responsible for ordering, receiving, and stocking grocery product, ensuring accurate delivery of goods, notifying the Grocery Manager of issues, and maintaining the cleanliness of the department. Grocery Buyers will maintain product inventory to limit out of-stocks and excessive backstock. They will work with the Grocery Manager on departmental goals, product selection, merchandising, promotions, maintaining department procedures and resources, inventory counts, training other Grocery Staff, and delegating tasks when needed.

ALL CO-OP STAFF WILL

• Use all available tools and resources in order to provide excellent and knowledgeable customer service to all customers, coworkers, and vendors
• Communicate professionally and respectfully with everyone you encounter while at work
• Adhere to all store and department policies and procedures
• Demonstrate regular, predictable good attendance
• Attend huddles and meetings as scheduled
• Commit to contributing to a positive, team-building work environment

ALL GROCERY STAFF WILL

• Stock dry, refrigerated, freezer, and bulk areas in accordance with established procedures
• Receive and store product orders as directed
• Ensure a fully stocked and clean department
• Responsibly fulfill all health code requirements regarding product handling and record-keeping
• Complete tasks as assigned by the department manager
• Follow all Eastside Food Co-op and Grocery Department policies and procedures

GROCERY BUYER ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Order products from appropriate vendors to maintain appropriate inventory and backstock while minimizing out-of-stocks
• Log orders and invoices timely and accurately
• Process credits with vendors when neededShrink appropriate items as needed
• Ensure displays and sets are functional and visually appealing
• Participate in promotional merchandizing and endcap changes
• Participate in category resets
• Participate in inventory counts
• Assist with Grocery Staff training
• Assist the Grocery Manager in maintaining department procedures, SOPs and other resources
• Develop cleaning schedule for assigned area
• Monitor cooler temperatures within department and communicate issues to the appropriate manager
• Additional duties as assigned by the Grocery Manager

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL POSSESS

• Passion for high quality foods and co-ops
• Exceptional customer service skills
• Demonstrated ability to balance multiple priorities
• Self-motivation; comfortable taking initiative and prioritizing tasks
• Desire to grow skills and knowledge
• The ability to work with limited and no supervision
• Demonstrated ability to follow through on commitments
• Ability to hold others accountable, and provide and accept critical feedback

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Standing, bending, stooping, reaching, squatting, and walking for extended periods of time per shift
• Repetitive bending and lifting of loads up to 50 pounds; pushing and pulling carts weighing up to 400 pounds
• Environmental exposure to extreme temperatures (coolers, freezer, outdoors, etc.)
• Repetitive use of hands for grasping, pushing, pulling, and fine manipulation