Find & Apply For Buyer / Purchasing Agent Jobs in Cambridge, Massachusetts

Specialty Grocery Buyer Pemberton Farms is an independent specialty grocery retailer with a 90-year history and four generations of family ownership. As one of Cambridge's oldest independently owned businesses, we take pride in our old-school values of quality, service, community, and knowledgeable customer care. Our diverse product mix includes organic, natural, allergen-friendly, diet-specific, local, and specialty products. The Buyer works closely with the Buying Team and Grocery Department to ensure the store has the right products, in the right quantities, at the right time and margin. This position reports directly to the Grocery Manager and Lead Specialty Buyer and plays an important role in purchasing, inventory management, merchandising, vendor relationships, and day-to-day store operations. Key ResponsibilitiesPurchasing & Inventory Management Create and process accurate, timely purchase orders using vendor portals and Pemberton Farms' inventory management system; maintain appropriate inventory levels and backstock. Monitor sales, inventory turns, margins, spoilage, shrink, waste, damages, and product transfers to support profitable inventory management. Receive and reconcile orders against purchase orders and invoices; research discrepancies and make appropriate inventory or cost adjustments. Pricing, Margins & Financial Controls Conduct regular pricing and cost audits to ensure accurate retail pricing and target margins; enter and maintain accurate costs and pricing in Catapult. Create and maintain new items, PLUs, product information, and pricing according to the current product mix. Analyze purchasing opportunities, sales trends, and product performance to support profitable buying decisions. Merchandising & Promotions Assist with merchandising products to maximize sales, product visibility, inventory turns, and the overall customer shopping experience. Create and maintain promotions, signage, displays, and in-store product marketing in coordination with the Buying and Grocery Teams. Maintain attractive, organized, well-stocked departments and ensure products are properly priced and displayed. Vendor & Product Management Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers through phone, email, vendor portals, and in-person communication. Evaluate new products, vendors, and purchasing opportunities with consideration for quality, customer demand, margin, and Pemberton Farms' specialty product standards. Maintain a product mix that reflects the store's commitment to organic, natural, allergen-friendly, diet-specific, unique, and local products. Customer Service & Special Orders Assist customers with product questions and clearly communicate the qualities and differences of specialty, natural, organic, and diet-specific products. Oversee and follow up on customer special orders, ensuring products are ordered accurately and communicated to customers in a timely manner. Partner with the Grocery Department and Buying Team to respond to customer needs, product requests, and changing demand. Communication & Teamwork Communicate daily with the Buying Team, Grocery Department, vendors, and other store departments to ensure smooth purchasing and inventory operations. Participate in physical inventory and assist with maintaining accurate inventory records and product data. Support the Grocery Manager and Lead Specialty Buyer with special projects, reporting, process improvements, and other buying-related responsibilities as needed. Physical Requirements Ability to regularly stand, walk, bend, reach, stoop, and work on your feet throughout the workday. Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull cases and individual products weighing up to 50 pounds , with or without reasonable accommodation. Ability to safely use step stools/ladders and work in refrigerated, freezer, receiving, and other retail environments as needed. Qualifications 2+ years of retail, grocery, specialty food, purchasing, inventory, merchandising, or related experience preferred. Strong organizational and time-management skills with excellent attention to detail and accuracy. Comfortable working with computers, inventory management systems, vendor portals, spreadsheets, and email; experience with Catapult or a similar retail/inventory system is a plus. Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively with vendors, customers, and a diverse store team. Demonstrated understanding of retail pricing, margins, inventory management, merchandising, and/or purchasing practices. Interest in specialty grocery and familiarity with organic, natural, local, allergen-friendly, and diet-specific products strongly preferred. Ability to work independently, prioritize competing tasks, and make sound day-to-day decisions while collaborating with the Buying Team. Commitment to Pemberton Farms' standards of quality, customer service, product knowledge, and community-focused retailing.

Job Types:

Part-time, Full-time Pay:

$22.00 - $24.00 per hour

Benefits:

Dental insurance Employee discount Health insurance Paid time off

Work Location:

In person