Produce Buyer

Ole Tyme Produce Inc; Saint Charles (MO); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Weekly pay

Medical, Dental and Vision Coverage

401(k) with Company Match

Pay On‑Demand Service

Company‑Paid Life Insurance

Employee product pricing

Job summary

Ole Tyme Produce Inc. is seeking a procurement buyer in Saint Charles, MO to manage the end-to-end sourcing of produce and non-food items.

You will forecast needs, negotiate with growers and shippers, and coordinate with logistics to ensure timely deliveries and accurate landed costs. Ideal candidates have 2+ years in wholesale produce procurement, strong negotiation skills, and familiarity with USDA standards.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in wholesale produce procurement.
• Ability to project inventory levels based on customer demand and seasonal patterns.
• Familiarity with group contracting processes.
• Knowledge of FOB and delivered purchasing methods.
• Ability to negotiate and manage vendor costs effectively.

Responsibilities

• Procure products based on forecasts and projections.
• Purchase products per USDA standards and customer specs.
• Coordinate with customer service and dispatch for timely deliveries of special orders.
• Ensure accurate landed costs and align with customer pricing.
• Arrange transportation for FOB purchases.
• Resolve shipping issues with shippers.
• Manage contract terms and price agreements.
• Address loading process issues to ensure smooth operations.
• Generate and distribute receiving docs to ensure proper unloading.
• Conduct physical and electronic inventory counts for procurement.

Skills

Wholesale Produce

Vendor negotiation

Inventory forecasting

USDA standards

Freight planning

Tools

Distribution software

Job description

Job Description

The buyer is responsible for purchasing food products and non-food products from approved growers/local growers/shippers/brokers, retail stores, and wholesale supply companies.

Responsibilities

• Procure products based on company and customer sales forecasts and projections.
• Purchase products in accordance with company standards (USDA) and customer specifications.
• Coordinate with customer service and dispatch to ensure timely delivery of special‑order products.
• Ensure accurate landed costs for products and align with customer pricing.
• Arrange transportation for products purchased Free on Board (FOB).
• Resolve shipping issues, such as mispicks, shortages, and quality concerns, in collaboration with shippers.
• Manage contract terms and commitments, including quantity and price agreements.
• Address and resolve issues that arise during the loading process to ensure smooth operations.
• Generate and distribute receiving documentation (e.g., purchase orders, receiving manifests) to the receiving team to ensure proper unloading procedures.
• Conduct physical and electronic inventory counts for procurement of products.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in wholesale produce and product procurement.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to make purchasing decisions based on company standards (USDA) and customer specifications.
• Proficient in projecting inventory levels based on customer buying trends, academic schedules, special events, and unforeseen circumstances.
• Familiarity with group contracting processes.
• In-depth knowledge of company distribution software.
• Extensive expertise in produce products, with a comprehensive understanding of industry standards.
• Ability to negotiate and manage vendor costs effectively.
• Strong geographic understanding to plan and schedule appropriate freight hauls.
• Knowledgeable about industry trends, such as shifts in agricultural regions and seasonal field movements.
• Proficient in Free on Board (FOB) and delivered purchasing methods.
• Understanding of relationship‑based buying principles.

Benefits

• Compensation is negotiable based on experience and qualifications.
• Weekly pay – Get paid every week!
• Medical, Dental and Vision Coverage
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Pay On‑Demand Service
• Company‑Paid Life Insurance
• Ability to purchase our wide array of products at cost as an employee
• Short and Long‑Term Disability
• Hospitalization Coverage
• Additional Life Coverage
• Cancer Coverage
• Legal Coverage
• Plus many more voluntary benefits

Company Overview

We are Ole Tyme Produce, a regional produce wholesaler located in St. Charles, MO. From comprehensive health benefits and 401(k) contributions, to paid time off and more, we care about our employees and want to support their well‑being in every way we can. We also believe in acknowledging team members for their outstanding work, demonstrating our core values, and the strengths they bring to the team through regular employee‑nominated recognition and rewards.

Ole Tyme Produce is an equal opportunity employer.