Assistant Buyer, Sourcing

**Assistant Buyer, Sourcing & Product Development**

We’re looking for an Experienced Assistant Buyer & Product Development to provide expertise, executing short, mid and long-term projects. You will be responsible for coordinating and maintaining the day-to-day development procedures for new products.

**You will act as an advocate for the customer by placing them at the forefront of all design and decision-making processes.** You will foster a culture of accountability, establishing a sense of integrity that encourages compliance and demonstrates CDS core values throughout the organization. You will yield smart business results through negotiation, problem solving, analytical skills, and effective prioritization to maximize stakeholder outcomes.

**We offer**
- Performance-based bonus program
- Group benefits includes dental and health care
- **Onsite group workout with personal trainer**:

- Collaborative work environment
- Company events
- Modern office with on-site parking
- Performance-driven culture with an opportunity to work with passionate people
- Possibility for remote work
- Vacation

**Principal Responsibilities**
- Support execution of sourcing strategy
- Allocate seasonal developments, in alignment with the long-range sourcing strategy
- Negotiate product cost with potential vendors, ensuring cost per unit and margin targets are achieved
- Actively network within the industry, while building supplier relationships
- Act as the liaison between internal partners and factories for all concerns and inquiries
- Effectively translate business needs into sourcing requirements as they arise
- Course correct projects that fall behind schedule. Communicate a plan for these situations that outlines the actions to be taken, partnering with cross functional teams as required
- Ensure all product development sourcing projects are executed in a timely manner and comply with all relevant standards, guidelines, and operating procedures
- Oversee sample costing, tracking processes, and review of all received samples and ensure all specs are followed and samples are signed off prior to purchasing
- Develop packaging timelines and proof packaging content
- Coordinate packaging needs
- Collaborate with others to drive flexible and iterative solutions, quickly and easily
- Confirm initial order placement with new vendor
- Identify short-term and long-term category trends, and keeps up to date with industry trends
- With the Director of Business Development, build and manage chain store programs from start to finish

**Competency Requirements**
- 2+ years industry experience with fresh produce
- Minimum 1 year of product development experience and 1 year in sourcing exotic specialty produce across global markets
- Previous experience negotiating product cost
- knowledgeable of development and sourcing methodologies and techniques, and proven track record of building strong relationships and rapport with growers and factories.
- Thorough understanding of pricing strategy and margin expectations
- Effective planning and objective goal-setting skills along with self-control and commitment to ensure completion of plans and tasks
- Good knowledge of MS Office
- Experience with ERP (SAP experience preferred) and understanding of data management principles
- Strong presentation and facilitation skills, interpersonal and communication skills
- Analytical, organized and process-oriented mindset
- Demonstrates initiative, ownership of all work, and works well independently
- Excellent business written and verbal communication skills
- Fluent in English spoken and written, Spanish (major asset)
- Ability to thrive in an entrepreneurial, fast paced, dynamic environment
- Great team player
- Bachelor’s degree in related field (an asset)

CDS is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in hiring or terms and conditions of employment because of an individual’s race, ancestry, color, place of origin, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, sexual orientation, family status or marital status, or any other protected category recognized by provincial or federal laws.

**Job Types**: Full-time, Permanent

**Salary**: $60,000.00-$75,000.00 per year

**Benefits**:

- Company events
- Dental care
- Extended health care
- On-site parking
- Paid time off

Schedule:

- 8 hour shift
- Day shift
- Monday to Friday

Supplemental pay types:

- Bonus pay

Ability to commute/relocate:

- Saint-Laurent, QC: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

**Experience**:

- Purchasing: 1 year (required)

Work Location: In person