Employment Type:

Full-Time |

Temp-to-Direct Compensation:

Starting at $50,000 per year +

Performance-Based Incentives Industry:

Food & Dairy Distribution Position Overview:

We are seeking a driven, organized, and commercially minded Buyer / Purchasing Agent to support purchasing operations for an established food and dairy distribution business. This individual will work directly with approximately 45 vendors and suppliers, managing purchasing needs across a diverse range of dairy, refrigerated, frozen, specialty, and imported food products.

A major focus of this position is not only ensuring that the right products are available when needed, but also negotiating competitive pricing and identifying opportunities to reduce purchasing costs. The successful Buyer will have the opportunity to increase their overall compensation through measurable savings generated for the company. This is a Temp-to-Direct opportunity with strong potential for long-term employment based on performance and business needs. Key Responsibilities Manage purchasing activities across approximately 45 vendors and suppliers. Develop and maintain strong, professional relationships with vendors. Communicate with suppliers regarding pricing, availability, quantities, lead times, substitutions, and delivery schedules. Review product availability and inventory needs to determine appropriate purchasing requirements. Request, compare, and evaluate vendor pricing and purchasing options. Negotiate prices and purchasing terms to achieve competitive costs for the company. Identify opportunities to reduce purchasing expenses without compromising product availability or quality. Prepare and process purchase orders accurately. Monitor open purchase orders and follow up with vendors to ensure timely delivery. Address shortages, delayed shipments, pricing discrepancies, substitutions, and other vendor-related concerns. Coordinate with warehouse and internal teams regarding incoming products and inventory requirements. Maintain accurate records of vendors, pricing, orders, products, and purchasing activity. Help maintain appropriate inventory levels while minimizing unnecessary overstock and avoidable purchasing costs. Continuously review vendor performance, pricing, and available purchasing opportunities.

Products & Purchasing Categories:

The Buyer/Purchasing Agent will work with a broad variety of food and food-service products, which may include: Milk, cheese, ice, and other dairy products Refrigerated and frozen products Specialty and imported food products Products sourced from Italy and other markets Full lines of Italian food products Pasta and related products Bottled water and beverages Pastry and bakery-related products Additional food-service and distribution products based on company needs

Performance-Based Earning Opportunity:

This position offers an opportunity to earn additional compensation based on purchasing performance and cost savings.

The Buyer will be encouraged to negotiate effectively, identify better purchasing opportunities, and reduce unnecessary costs.

The more measurable savings the Buyer generates for the company, the greater their potential for additional compensation.

This creates an opportunity for a strong purchaser and negotiator to earn beyond the starting annual compensation.

Work Environment:

The company operates within food distribution and maintains refrigerated and frozen inventory. The Buyer may occasionally need to work around or enter temperature-controlled warehouse areas, including: Freezer environments at or below 0°F Cooler/refrigerated environments around 38°F Candidates should be comfortable working within a food distribution and warehouse environment when required. Qualifications Previous experience in purchasing, buying, procurement, vendor management, food distribution, or inventory-related operations is preferred. Experience communicating and negotiating directly with vendors is highly desirable. Strong price negotiation and vendor relationship skills. Ability to compare pricing and identify cost-saving opportunities. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail. Ability to manage multiple vendors, orders, products, and priorities simultaneously. Strong follow-up and problem-solving abilities. Comfortable working with purchase orders, pricing information, vendor documentation, and inventory records. Professional written and verbal communication skills. Dependable, proactive, and comfortable taking ownership of purchasing responsibilities. Compensation & Benefits Starting compensation: $50,000 per year Performance-based incentive compensation Greater earning potential based on measurable purchasing cost savings Full-Time position Temp-to-Direct opportunity Paid Time Off (PTO) Paid vacation Opportunity for long-term growth within an established food distribution operation

Ideal Candidate:

The ideal candidate is more than an order processor. We are looking for someone who can think like a Buyer — building strong vendor relationships, staying ahead of inventory needs, negotiating intelligently, comparing purchasing options, and actively looking for ways to save the company money.

A candidate who is confident with vendors, sharp with pricing, organized with purchasing details, and motivated by performance-based earning potential will be particularly well suited for this opportunity.

Pay:

From $50,000.00 per year

Work Location:

In person