Produce Buyer

Julius-Silvert,-Inc.-1; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Julius-Silvert, Inc. in Philadelphia is seeking a Produce Buyer to source and procure fresh produce, ensuring quality, availability, competitive pricing, and excellent service levels. You will nurture supplier relationships and support sales growth while driving supply chain excellence.

The role reports to the Produce Category Manager and collaborates with Quality Control, Receiving, Operations, and Sales to optimize inventory and performance. Strong Excel and ERP experience are required.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of purchasing experience in fresh produce or related category.
• Strong understanding of produce markets, seasonality, and supply chain dynamics.
• Proficiency in Excel; experience with ERP systems and purchasing software preferred.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Self-motivated with ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Source and manage vendor relationships selecting suppliers based on quality, supply, service, and responsiveness.
• Maintain item, vendor, and pricing data in the ERP system and resolve discrepancies.
• Use demand planning, reporting, and BI tools to support purchasing decisions and inventory management.
• Maintain high fulfillment standards (e.g., 98.5% or greater) and ensure on-time delivery.
• Anticipate seasonal demand and market trends to develop sourcing strategies and substitutions.
• Negotiate pricing, quantities, promotions, and vendor agreements to maximize profitability.
• Manage forward buys and promotions optimizing warehouse capacity and inventory levels.
• Publish market updates in partnership with Purchasing Management.
• Work with Sales, Quality Control, Receiving, and Operations to ensure product quality and customer satisfaction.
• Participate in weekly purchasing meetings and identify category growth opportunities.

Skills

Analytical skills

Negotiation

Communication

Organizational skills

Tools

Excel

ERP systems

Purchasing software

Job description

Position SummaryWe 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 ResponsibilitiesSource 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.#IND123Qualifications3+ 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.