Buyer, Produce

Welcome to Gordon Food Service We are excited that you are thinking about opportunities with us, and we have an amazing story to share. Here's a quick glance of who we are and the impact you could have on the food service industry. There's a seat at our table for you...
- What We Offer:_- FULL flex benefits program- Company matching RRSP- Family culture- Advancement opportunities- Profit Sharing- Medical, Dental, Prescription Drug, and EFAP Benefits after 30 days of employment- 125-year, family-owned and operated company history

Reporting to the BC Regional Supply Chain Manager, the Produce Buyer executes Produce sourcing and fulfillment plans that enable category growth for the BC Division. Key accountabilities include managing higher risk inventory, ensuring market relevance in portfolio and competitiveness utilizing the proper mix of sourcing solutions including Markon, Specialty Companies and other local/regional product sources. Acts as the primary supplier contact for inventory and supplier-related business needs.

The Produce buyer monitors KPIs related to Produce case growth, service level, and product loss; and closely monitors inbound receiving capacity and reserve storage capacity to ensure proper flow of inventory for GFS Operations.

Additionally, this position communicates directly with the sales team to help promote sales knowledge and growth within the category; develops and maintains relationships with regional suppliers and suppliers key to the division; and provides support to the sales and merchandising teams with product sourcing and opportunity buys.

The compensation package for this position ranges from $67,000 to $84,000 on an annual basis.
- Essential Functions:_- Responsible for releasing Purchase Orders and replenishing key, high-value, high-risk, and high-visibility items for GFS customers.- Maintains an awareness of current market conditions, causal factors (weather, seasonality, etc.), and product availability to properly maintain perishable inventory for our customers while avoiding product loss.- Leads inventory management activities for product conversions, seasonal/one-time buys, and at-risk inventory.- Collaborates with appropriate GFS departments including, but not limited to National Supply Chain; Divisional Supply Chain, Logistics, Sales, Marketing, Capstone/transportation, Chain Specialist, and Distribution Centre Operations to ensure proper inventory flow into and out of GFS Distribution Centers.- Responsible for managing service level, days on hand, and product loss for an assigned Category set.- Collaborates with suppliers to solve quality and/or service problems; expedites deliveries as necessary.- Develops and maintains seasonal plans utilizing fulfillment software functionality.- Identifies root causes for inventory issues/out-of-stock and collaborates with appropriate owners for resolution.- Utilizes fulfillment software functionality available to set up and maintain perishable items to maximize service level while minimizing spoilage and liquidation.- Implements and maintains business rules/processes for service levels, safety stock, buy multiples, capacity, inbound freight networks, etc.- Performs vendor analysis on a regular basis. Identifies and executes changes to buying parameters in a highly efficient manner resulting in improved service levels, lower spoilage and liquidation and right sized inventory levels.- Responsible for primary and alternate sourcing solutions for resolving shortage situations and identifying local sourcing opportunities for direct or fill in purchasing, utilizing fulfillment software functionality.- Collaborates with Marketing, Regional Merchandising/inventory teams, Sales, Supply Chain and customers to meet all customer product needs, effectively plan future events, determine product trends, input new product requirements, and execute the close out of discontinued items.- Aligns with, and supports enterprise procurement philosophies while meeting divisional business objectives.- Responsible for continuous improvement of professional skills including, but not limited to, JDA, Business Analytics (Microstrategy), Microsoft Office, Google and supply chain concepts.- Communicates with sales on quality and seasonal availability, training and product promotions.- Supports new supplier and item set-up processes and system activities.- Collaborates with the warehouse ‘produce’ inspector on receiving opportunities and quality issues.
- Knowledge / Skills / Abilities:_- Extensive Produce procurement experience and product knowledge. Including from growing region source as well as local/regional terminal buying-
- Human Relations - ability to work in teams, interact with others across departments/roles, develop relationships, etc.- Communication - excellent written, verbal, organizational and communication skills. This role will communicate with all levels of the organization including Managers, Directors and General Managers.- Supply