Junior Buyer

**Job Summary**:

- The main mission of a Buyer is to accomplish a balance of retaining our high service levels while keeping just the right amount of inventory on hand. Buyers understand replenishment purchasing, the principles of inventory control, and have an aptitude to learn our systems and procedures. A major portion of time will be spent working independently with Excel files and our ERP computer system, reviewing and maintaining inventory management data to support buying decisions and sales.

**Main Duties and Responsibilities**:
**Inventory**:

- Maintain optimal inventory levels; avoiding or minimizing excess stock and factoring in sales and shelf-life
- Create purchase orders in the ERP system
- Achieve high fill rates while maintaining appropriate levels of inventory using the resources, tools, and reports available
- Minimize shortages and maintain accurate notes and details when shortages occur
- Determine and coordinate inventory to be promoted and/or sold at a discount
- Determine and coordinate inventory to be donated or discarded/destroyed

**Costing**:

- Maintain accurate costing (using Buyers Costing Sheet comprised of item details, vendor pricing, discounts, Landed Costs, and exchange rates)
- Ensure Freight costing is accurate and appropriately set; monitor and adjust as required
- Process price changes as applicable (following monthly price change SOP)

**Data Entry and Analysis**:

- Meet deadlines for various Purchasing input requirements
- Forecast demand and determine best ordering strategies
- Maintain updated portfolio management notes on how to manage each vendor/brand within the portfolio including any Buyer-specific responsibilities

**Promotional Activities and Communication**:

- Support promotional activities such as key accounts monthly planners (review to ensure extra stock is purchased in time to be on-hand for expected increased demand), sell sheets (suggest items suitable for sell sheet promotion in collaboration with vendors/brokers/marketing and determine appropriate date periods for buy-in and ship-out), monthly specials and show specials (ensure files contain complete and accurate promotion details)
- Ensure prompt, clear and positive communication to both internal and external customers, especially if there are problems

**Other Duties**:

- Maintain positive supplier and broker relations, meet with suppliers and brokers as needed to review and discuss supply chain issues, performance, and opportunities/suggestions for improvement
- Day-to-day problem solving, ensuring timely resolution of supply issues and shipment discrepancies (working closely with receiving for things related to quantity discrepancies, damage, and product temperature issues)
- Contact suppliers and/or brokers to obtain required shipping documentation to ensure there are no transit/delivery delays (i.e., NAFTA, CCI, Import Declaration, Commercial Invoice, packing slip, etc.)
- Resolve invoice discrepancies with suppliers/brokers/carriers in conjunction with Horizon accounting
- Work with internal warehouse and accounting teams to resolve any on-hand/ERP stock inconsistencies.

**Working Environment**:

- This is a full-time position (Mon-Fri) based out of our Burnaby office.
- There is an opportunity for a Hybrid schedule following the onboarding and probationary period.

**Qualifications and Expectations**:

- Minimum 1-2 years of purchasing experience, preferably in the grocery industry
- Familiarity with ‘replenishment’ purchasing duties, including an understanding of inventory control and purchasing principles
- Strong communication and organizational skills
- An aptitude for numbers and details, with analytical and problem-solving capabilities required
- Proven ability with computers (ERP system, Outlook, intermediate to advanced Excel)
- Ability to work under pressure and with time constraints/deadlines
- Experience coordinating freight is preferred
- Experience and/or a strong interest in organic and natural products
- Education - Supply Chain Management diploma (or equivalent courses or education) is an asset

**Submission**:

- If you, or anyone you know, is interested, please send a resume with cover letter and salary expectations to:
**About Horizon Grocery + Wellness**:
Horizon Grocery + Wellness is a leading distributor of organic and natural foods, household products, supplements, and natural personal care items, servicing thousands of locations across Western Canada. We thrive as a market leader via effective partnerships and primary relationships with our valued retailers and suppliers. We are a privately owned, 100% Canadian company with a 150,000 square foot Grocery facility and a 40,000 square foot Wellness facility located in south Burnaby, BC. Horizon Grocery + Wellness is the cornerstone of the Horizon Group, a privately held, Canadian-owned group of companies with distribution facilities servicing over 6000 customers across Canada.