Produce Purchaser

Community Food Co-op; Bozeman (MT); On-site; USD 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Community Food Co-op is seeking a Produce Purchaser in Bozeman, MT. The role focuses on purchasing, inventory accuracy, and efficient receiving to support fresh product turnover.

The job emphasizes customer service, strong vendor relations, and the ability to work early shifts Monday through Friday. Prior retail or food service experience is a plus.

Qualifications

• Experience in retail sales or food service with purchasing.
• Excellent customer service skills; friendly and outgoing demeanor.
• General computer literacy; MS Word, Excel; internet and email.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule; early morning, daytime, evening, weekend shifts.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. and stand for long periods.

Responsibilities

• Order merchandise and maintain inventory control to minimize out-of-stocks and overstocks and maximize sales.
• Use purchasing and receiving systems to place, track, and communicate about orders.
• Evaluate suppliers and seek promotional offerings.
• Assist in evaluating turns by generating item movement reports and adjusting assortment.
• Maintain relations with vendors and manage credits with suppliers.
• Maintain signage, labeling, and stock levels; ensure freshness and turnover.

Skills

Customer service

Purchasing

Inventory management

MS Word

Tools

Excel

Job description

Job DetailsJob Location: Co-op West Main - Bozeman, MT 59715Salary Range: $22.00 HourlyFull-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 Purchaser

Purchasing

• Order 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 Merchandising

• Receive 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.

Other

• Maintain 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.

Qualifications

• 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.