A Food or Beverage Buyer is responsible for sourcing and purchasing the food and drink needed for ongoing or future business in a restaurant, bar, hotel or other catering business. Responsible for maintaining supplier relationships. May also be responsible growing supplier relationships with new and/or existing suppliers.
Beverage Buyer at Jetro Restaurant Depot Beverage Buyer at Jetro Restaurant Depot in Jackson Heights, New York Posted in 2 days ago.
Type:
full-time
Job Description:
Restaurant Depot is the nation's leading members-only, wholesale cash-and-carry supplier serving independent restaurants, caterers, delis, convenience stores, and other foodservice businesses across 165+ locations in 35 states. Our stores offer bulk quantities of fresh meat, seafood, produce, dairy, frozen foods, grocery items, beverages, paper goods, cleaning supplies, restaurant equipment, and more. Open seven days a week, we are committed to delivering consistent quality and competitive pricing to support small business success. As we continue to expand, we are seeking analytical, commercially driven professionals with a passion for supplier strategy and cost optimization. Position Summary As a Beverage Buyer, you will be responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and managing beverage categories to ensure optimal pricing, product availability, and margin performance. This role emphasizes vendor negotiations, cost analysis, and data-driven decision-making. You will partner closely with suppliers to secure favorable terms while leveraging sales and inventory data to guide purchasing strategies. This position offers a clear path for growth into expanded buying responsibilities and category ownership. Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Hospitality, or a related field preferred 3-6 years of experience in purchasing, procurement, or category management (food & beverage preferred) Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, lookups, data analysis) Demonstrated interest in vendor negotiations and cost optimization Excellent communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-volume environment Responsibilities Strategic Sourcing & Procurement Source beverage products across categories including soft drinks, water, juices, alcohol (where applicable), and specialty beverages Develop and execute purchasing strategies aligned with cost targets, margin goals, and demand forecasts Create, manage, and optimize purchase orders to ensure product availability and efficient inventory flow Vendor Negotiation & Relationship Management Lead and support negotiations with suppliers on pricing, rebates, freight terms, and promotional support Analyze supplier cost structures and market conditions to strengthen negotiation positioning Build and maintain strategic vendor partnerships to improve service levels, pricing consistency, and supply reliability Evaluate vendor performance using KPIs such as fill rates, lead times, and cost competitiveness Pricing & Cost Analysis Conduct detailed cost analysis, including landed cost, margin impact, and pricing trends Monitor market pricing, commodity fluctuations, and competitor benchmarks to inform buying decisions Identify cost-saving opportunities and implement pricing strategies to maximize profitability Prepare and present pricing comparisons, variance reports, and savings analyses Inventory Planning & Demand Forecasting Analyze sales data, historical trends, and seasonal demand to forecast inventory needs Optimize stock levels to balance product availability with inventory carrying costs Collaborate with operations teams to align purchasing with store-level demand patterns Quality, Compliance & Risk Management Ensure all beverage products meet company quality standards and regulatory requirements Verify product specifications and address quality or compliance issues with suppliers Mitigate supply chain risks by identifying alternate vendors and contingency plans Reporting & Data Management Develop and maintain reports on pricing trends, vendor performance, and category profitability Maintain accurate product, cost, and supplier data within purchasing systems Utilize data analytics to drive continuous improvement in purchasing decisions Skills & Competencies Strong negotiation and vendor management capabilities Advanced analytical and data interpretation skills Financial acumen with understanding of margins, cost structures, and pricing strategy High proficiency in Excel and purchasing/inventory systems Detail-oriented with strong organizational and time management skills Ability to influence stakeholders and communicate effectively across teams Compensation and Benefits Competitive salary commensurate with experience Comprehensive benefits package Health, Dental & Vision Insurance Company-matched 401(k) Vacation, Personal & Sick Time
