Produce Purchaser

Bozeman Community Food Co-op; Bozeman (MT); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Bozeman Community Food Co-op in Bozeman, MT is seeking a Produce Purchaser to manage ordering, receiving, and inventory for the Produce department. The role emphasizes accurate forecasting, timely deliveries, and cooperative vendor relations.

You will use established purchasing systems, monitor turns and stock levels, and support the department manager with promotions and displays. A background in retail or food service and strong customer service are valued.

Qualifications

• Experience in retail sales or food service preferred.
• Strong customer service skills.
• Ability to learn purchasing and inventory systems.

Responsibilities

• Purchase and maintain inventory to minimize out-stocks and overstocks and maximize sales.
• Follow established systems for purchasing and receiving orders.
• Evaluate suppliers and investigate new product sources as directed by the department manager.
• Solicit suppliers for promotional offerings.
• Assist in evaluating turns by generating item movement reports and adjust assortment accordingly.
• Develop and maintain cordial relations with vendors.
• Ensure returns and credits from suppliers are processed.
• Receive deliveries and reconcile invoices and credits.
• Stock displays and ensure shelves are fully stocked, rotated, and fresh.
• Maintain signage and pricing accuracy; update labels as needed.
• Maintain cooler and storage organization and cleanliness.
• Attend meetings and perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Customer service

Purchasing

Inventory management

MS Word

MS Excel

Flexible schedule

Lifting 50 lbs

Tools

MS Word

Excel

Job description

Full-time position available. Shifts are Monday-Friday 6am-1:30pm. Prior purchasing or retail experience a plus.Purpose: Provide strong customer service in all roles/duties. Purchase product for the Produce department and maintain an accurate inventory system. Ensure that floor inventory is reflective of on-hand stock. Efficiently and accurately receive deliveries; reconcile invoices and credits; and prep and stock product. Utilize sales data and promotion information to place orders, limiting out-of-stocks and overstock errors. Ensure accurate on-hand counts and efficient ordering systems.Specific Responsibilities of Produce PurchaserPurchasingOrder merchandise and maintain inventory control to minimize out-of-stocks and overstocks and maximize sales, turnover, and freshness.Effectively use tools and follow established systems for all steps of purchasing and receiving orders, including placing, receiving, tracking, and communicating about orders.Evaluate suppliers and investigate new product sources, as directed by department manager.Solicit suppliers for promotional offerings.Assist Department Manager in evaluating turns by generating item movement reports of best-sellers and slow-movers, and adjust assortment accordingly, as directed.Develop and maintain cordial and professional relations with vendors.Ensure returns and credit from suppliers where applicable, by recording and calling in credits.Adhere to CFC Purchasing Policy.Stocking, Receiving, and MerchandisingReceive trucks following protocol.Maintain an efficient and orderly system for incoming deliveries following protocol.Ensure all invoices are submitted in a timely manner.Plan and implement attractive, abundant displays.Ensure tables/coolers are fully stocked, replenished, rotated, and culled to ensure freshness and turnover while prioritizing sale and fast-selling items.Maintain cooler and storage organization and cleanliness.Ensure Scan Manager receives accurate, up-to-date price labeling requests for missing or damaged labels; check to ensure labels are present, up-to-date, and in good shape.Maintain accurate and high-quality signage for all product.Use proper storage, product rotation and labeling procedures.Make decisions about appropriate use of culls for Deli usage.Maintain adequate prepped products for next shift.OtherMaintain certification on warehouse equipment such as pallet jacks, forklift, high-bay stacker, as directed.Attend meetings and visit competitors as assigned.Other duties as assigned.Experience in retail sales or food service that demonstrates the ability or aptitude to successfully meet all expectations listed above including purchasing.Excellent customer service skills; friendly and outgoing demeanor.Attend meetings and visit competitors as assigned.General computer literacy; experience with MS Word, Excel; internet and email.Ability to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the business; early morning, daytime, evening, holiday, and weekend shifts required.Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. throughout shift; ability to stand for long periods and to bend and twist repeatedly; ability to lift product overhead and/or to climb ladders with product.