Find & Apply For Purchasing Assistant Jobs in San Leandro, California

Part-Time Buyer, Live Plants (Green Goods)

Position:

Part-Time Buyer, Live Plants (Green Goods)

Employment Type:

Part Time Reports To:

General Manager Compensation:

Commensurate with experience

Benefits:

Employee discount on all retail products

Schedule:

Approximately 20-25 hours per week. Days and hours are flexible within our weekday business hours, when our vendors are open.

Work Location:

On site at Evergreen Nursery in San Leandro. This is not a remote position. About Us Evergreen Nursery is a well-established retail plant nursery and garden center in San Leandro that has served the East Bay gardening community for over 40 years. We are known for our high quality plants, wide selection, and our friendly staff who help customers choose the right plants for their indoor and outdoor spaces. Who We're Looking For This role is a great fit for an experienced buyer who wants meaningful work without a full-time commitment. Maybe you are winding down a long career, starting a second act, or simply want steady part-time hours doing something you are good at. Your buying experience does not need to be in plants. If you have purchased any retail category and you are curious about horticulture, we will teach you the plants. We are a small, close-knit team. There is no buying department, no merchandising analysts, and no layers of approval. You will work directly with our General Manager, marketing manager, and nursery staff to help make informed buying decisions, then see the results on our benches every week. If you enjoy small businesses, value straightforward work, and like being part of a friendly team, we would love to hear from you. Position Overview We are seeking a part-time, detail-oriented Buyer to manage the selection and purchasing of all live plant inventory. This role works closely with the General Manager, Nursery Supervisor, and staff to keep our sales areas well stocked with healthy, competitively priced plants that suit our East Bay customers and the season.

Essential Duties & Functions Product Selection & Purchasing:

Select and purchase all live plants, including perennials, annuals, edibles, shrubs, trees, California natives, and water-wise varieties, with decision support from the management team and input from nursery staff.

Vendor Relations:

Review vendor availability lists, confirm pricing and delivery schedules, and build working relationships with growers and suppliers.

Order Planning:

Use historical sales data, basic analysis, and plant and product research to plan annual, seasonal, and weekly orders.

Budget:

Work within a purchasing budget set with the General Manager.

Inventory Monitoring:

Track stock levels and sell-through, and forecast demand so popular plants stay available through each season.

Plant Waste:

Track plant losses, work to reduce waste, and report quality problems to vendors for credit when appropriate.

Receiving Coordination:

Coordinate with the receiving team on incoming orders and deliveries.

Invoice Reconciliation:

Reconcile purchase orders, check-in counts, and vendor invoices, and communicate with the bookkeeper to resolve any billing discrepancies.

Special Orders:

Source and order customer Special Orders according to published policy. The Help Desk and Store Supervisor handle customer communication and payment.

Seasonal Promotions:

Coordinate with the General Manager and Marketing to time inventory for seasonal promotions and special events.

Sustainability:

Source California native, water-wise, and pollinator-friendly plants that reflect Evergreen's commitment to local ecosystems.

Market Trends:

Stay informed about plant trends, new varieties, and customer preferences, and apply them to purchasing decisions.

Customer Support:

Provide in person customer support as necessary. Skills & Competencies Strong vendor relations and negotiation skills by email and phone. Sharp attention to detail for check-in counts, invoices, and billing reconciliation. Working knowledge of product pricing, margins, and cost tracking. Comfortable reading sales data and inventory reports to make buying decisions. Comfortable using purchase orders, inventory management tools, and point-of-sale systems. Clear communicator and problem-solver who works well with a small team. Genuine interest in plants and a willingness to learn.

Requirements Experience:

Minimum 3 years of retail or wholesale buying experience. Buying experience in any retail category is welcome. Plant knowledge is a plus, and we will train the right person.

Education:

Degree, certificate, or coursework in Horticulture, Business, or a related field is desired but not required.

Technical Skills:

Working knowledge of purchase orders, statements, invoices, count reconciliation, and inventory management systems. Familiarity with Windows-based PCs, Google Drive, Gmail, and basic product database operations. Ability to send and receive work-related texts.

Physical Requirements:

Ability to lift and carry plants up to 35 lbs. Ability to walk the nursery regularly to assess stock levels and plant quality, outdoors in all kinds of weather.

Availability:

Approximately 20-25 hours per week on weekdays during business hours. Evergreen Nursery is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating a safe and inclusive work environment for all employees.

Pay:

$35,000.00 - $55,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Employee discount

Work Location:

In person