Buyer - Produce

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    "url": "https://alexleecareers-alexlee.icims.com/jobs/136623/buyer---produce/job",
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    "title": "Buyer - Produce",
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    "datePosted": "2026-05-20T04:00:00.000Z",
    "description": "<h2>Overview</h2>\n<p><strong>Major Functions: </strong></p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>Responsible for the procurement strategy and execution of assigned produce categories, ensuring alignment with MDI’s profitability, service level, quality, and customer growth objectives.</p>\n<p> This role operates with broad decision-making authority across sourcing, pricing, inventory management, supplier relationships, and customer collaboration.</p>\n<h2>Responsibilities</h2>\n<li>Own end‑to‑end buying responsibility for assigned produce categories, including sourcing strategy, vendor selection, pricing, and procurement execution.</li>\n<li>Deliver gross profit, inventory investment, and shrink performance in line with annual budgets and service level expectations.</li>\n<li>Manage inventory levels, turns, and freshness, balancing customer demand, seasonality, and market volatility.</li>\n<li>Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned customer groups, partnering with retail merchandisers to develop and execute ad strategies, promotional calendars, and item launches.</li>\n<li>Analyze and respond to market conditions (availability, weather, freight, pricing trends) and proactively adjust buying strategies to mitigate risk and capitalize on opportunity.</li>\n<li>Lead supplier relationships, including negotiation of pricing, programs, quality expectations, and corrective action when standards are not met.</li>\n<li>Establish and maintain item standards, including PLUs, UPCs, pack specifications, and quality parameters for all assigned items.</li>\n<li>Collaborate closely with warehouse operations and quality control to ensure optimal inbound quality, rotation, and distribution execution.</li>\n<li>Execute structured sourcing processes, including RFP development, evaluation, and supplier negotiations to optimize cost, quality, and service.</li>\n<li>Requires periodic travel to industry events, supplier and grower operations, and retail customer locations to support relationship development, store-level execution, collaborative planning, and validation of merchandising, promotional, and program performance.</li>\n<li>Drive sales growth initiatives, including new item introductions, category expansion, and assortment optimization to increase customer competitiveness.</li>\n<li>Provide guidance and informal mentoring to Associate Buyers, supporting skill development, problem-solving, and adherence to best practices.</li>\n<li>Participate in cross-functional initiatives, food shows, customer meetings, and departmental projects as a subject matter expert.</li>\n<li>Build and improve procurement tools, reporting, and analytics, including leveraging AI-enabled solutions to enhance decision-making and efficiency.</li>\n<li>Effectively utilize demand planning systems and insights to anticipate customer needs, align procurement strategies with forecasted demand, and proactively manage supply, inventory levels, and in-stock position across assigned categories.</li>\n<h2>Qualifications</h2>\n<ul>\n <li>Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Agriculture, or related field preferred.</li>\n <li>5–8 years of progressive experience in produce buying, merchandising, or produce operations, including full-line buying responsibility with broad experience procuring across all primary produce commodities (fruits, vegetables, value-added, and seasonal categories).</li>\n <li>Demonstrated experience in FOB procurement and vendor negotiations.</li>\n <li>Strong understanding of USDA standards, produce specifications, and quality assurance requirements.</li>\n <li>Proven ability to manage complex portfolios in fast-paced, high‑volume environments.</li>\n <li>Advanced analytical, negotiation, and decision-making skills.</li>\n <li>Strong communication and relationship management skills with both internal and external stakeholders.</li>\n <li>Proficiency with Microsoft Office and purchasing/inventory systems.</li>\n <li>Ability to perform effectively under pressure and manage competing priorities.</li>\n</ul>\n<p> </p>\n<p><strong>Dimensions:</strong></p>\n<ul>\n <li>Manages a portfolio of approximately 300 – 400 active SKUs across assigned produce commodities, including both commodity and value-added items.</li>\n <li>Responsible for inventory positions typically ranging between $400K – 1M in on hand value, depending on seasonality and category mix.</li>\n <li>Supports procurement and replenishment activity for 500+ customer locations, including independent retailers and multi-unit operators.</li>\n <li>Interfaces with 60+ active suppliers, including direct growers, shippers, importers, and distribution partners.</li>\n <li>Influences annual category revenue of approximately $50 – 60M+ across assigned commodities.</li>\n <li>No direct reports; provides functional leadership and day-to-day guidance to 6 Associate Buyers or support roles.</li>\n <li>Utilizes enterprise systems, including purchasing, inventory management, and forecasting platforms.</li>\n</ul>\n<p> </p>\n<p>#LI-VP1</p>",
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