Produce Buyer

Julius Silvert; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Julius Silvert is seeking a driven Produce Buyer to join our Produce team in Philadelphia, PA. You will source and procure a broad range of fresh produce, manage vendor relationships, and ensure quality, availability, and competitive pricing to support sales and inventory goals.

The ideal candidate has 3+ years of purchasing experience in fresh produce, strong market knowledge, excellent Excel skills, and a collaborative approach to optimizing supply chain operations.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of purchasing experience in fresh produce or a closely related category.
• Strong understanding of produce markets, seasonality, commodity pricing, and supply chain dynamics.
• Proficiency with Excel; experience with ERP systems and purchasing software is preferred.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to build relationships at all levels of the organization.

Responsibilities

• Source and manage vendor relationships, selecting suppliers based on product quality, consistent supply, service performance, and responsiveness to changing market conditions.
• Maintain accurate item, vendor, and pricing data within the company's ERP system.
• Resolve invoicing, product, and delivery discrepancies by collaborating with internal departments and external vendors to ensure timely resolution and strong business relationships.
• Utilize the company's demand planning, reporting, and business intelligence tools to support purchasing decisions and inventory management.
• Maintain the company's fulfillment standard of 98.5% or greater.
• Negotiate pricing, purchase quantities, and vendor agreements to maximize profitability while meeting customer needs.

Skills

Vendor management

Excel

ERP systems

Data analysis

Communication

Tools

ERP systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: PHILADELPHIA, PA 19124

Position Summary

We are seeking a driven, detail-oriented Produce Buyer to join our growing Produce team. Reporting to the Produce Category Manager, the Produce Buyer will be responsible for sourcing and procuring a broad range of fresh produce while ensuring product availability, quality, competitive pricing, and exceptional service levels. This role plays a key part in maintaining strong supplier relationships, supporting sales growth, and driving operational excellence across the produce category.

Key Responsibilities

• Source and manage vendor relationships, selecting suppliers based on product quality, consistent supply, service performance, and responsiveness to changing market conditions.
• Maintain accurate item, vendor, and pricing data within the company's Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system.
• Resolve invoicing, product, and delivery discrepancies by collaborating with internal departments and external vendors to ensure timely resolution and strong business relationships.
• Utilize the company's demand planning, reporting, and business intelligence tools to support purchasing decisions and inventory management.
• Maintain the company's industry-leading fulfillment standard of 98.5% or greater.
• Anticipate seasonal demand, market trends, supply chain challenges, and product availability to proactively develop sourcing strategies and identify acceptable product substitutions.
• Negotiate pricing, purchase quantities, promotional opportunities, and vendor agreements to maximize profitability while meeting customer needs.
• Manage forward buys and promotional purchases while optimizing warehouse capacity and inventory levels.
• Monitor commodity markets and publish regular market updates in partnership with Purchasing Management.
• Stay informed on seasonal trends, market conditions, and emerging products, while partnering with Sales and other departments to expand existing product lines and introduce new offerings.
• Work closely with Quality Control, Receiving, Operations, and Sales to maintain the highest standards for product quality, on-time delivery, and customer satisfaction.
• Participate in weekly purchasing meetings and ongoing professional development opportunities.
• Partner with vendors and internal teams to manage aging inventory, inbound freight claims, damaged product, and inventory recovery efforts.
• Support Purchasing Management in identifying category growth opportunities across domestic and imported produce, including evaluating current assortments and recommending product expansions.
• Strengthen existing supplier partnerships while actively identifying and developing new sourcing opportunities.
• Provide the Sales team with product specifications, pricing updates, availability information, and recommendations on new and existing products.

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QualificationsQualifications

• 3+ years of purchasing experience in fresh produce or a closely related category.
• Strong understanding of produce markets, seasonality, commodity pricing, and supply chain dynamics.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel; experience with ERP systems and purchasing software is preferred.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast paced environment.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to build relationships at all levels of the organization, including senior leadership and ownership.
• Self-motivated with the ability to prioritize work, meet deadlines, and work independently.
• Collaborative team player with a proactive approach to continuous improvement and process optimization.