Buyer

Buyer – Fresh Produce / Food Distribution

Location: Laurel, Maryland, USA

Industry: Food Distribution / Fresh Produce

Employment Type: Full-time

Work Arrangement: On-site

About the Role

An established food distribution organisation is seeking a Buyer to manage purchasing activities for fresh produce and related products, ensuring the right products are available at the right time, in the right quantities and at competitive prices.

The role combines purchasing, inventory management, supplier coordination, logistics and sales support, with a strong focus on maintaining product quality, maximising inventory turnover and protecting margins.

Key Responsibilities

• Purchase quality products at competitive prices while maintaining appropriate inventory levels.
• Review product movement and inventory requirements to determine purchasing needs.
• Create purchase orders and review supplier confirmations for accuracy.
• Conduct daily physical inventory reviews, with particular attention to critical or sensitive products.
• Process product credits and returns promptly to minimise inventory shrink.
• Work with pricing teams, suppliers and corporate stakeholders to ensure purchase orders are accurately priced and aligned with approved contracts.
• Plan and coordinate logistics to support customer requirements and maximise profitability.
• Partner with Sales to maximise timely utilisation of inventory.
• Monitor inventory turnover and take action to reduce product shrink and waste.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date product information, including country of origin and other item attributes.
• Evaluate inventory requirements and determine appropriate stock levels based on demand and product movement.
• Identify and manage issues relating to rejected, damaged or troubled products.
• Source substitute products when required items are unavailable.
• Communicate effectively with suppliers, Sales, Pricing and internal stakeholders.
• Manage multiple short- and long-term purchasing priorities simultaneously.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 3–5 years of purchasing experience , preferably within a related industry.
• Experience in retail, wholesale, food distribution or another inventory-intensive environment.
• Experience with purchasing, inventory management and supplier coordination.
• Strong understanding of stock levels, product movement and inventory value.
• Ability to assess purchasing requirements and make decisions that balance availability, cost and profitability.
• Strong problem-solving skills, particularly around shortages, rejected products, returns and inventory shrink.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organisational and prioritisation abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple competing deadlines and priorities.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.

Technical Skills

• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word and Outlook .
• Comfortable using standard computer systems and business software.
• Minimum typing speed of 30 words per minute.
• Strong numerical and data-handling ability.

Preferred

• College degree in Business, Supply Chain, Purchasing or a related field.
• Experience purchasing fresh produce, food products or other perishable goods.
• Experience within wholesale distribution or high-volume inventory environments.

Key Skills

Buyer | Purchasing | Procurement | Fresh Produce | Food Distribution | Wholesale | Retail | Inventory Management | Supplier Management | Purchase Orders | PO Management | Vendor Management | Inventory Planning | Stock Management | Demand Planning | Logistics | Supply Chain | Product Sourcing | Inventory Turnover | Shrink Reduction | Pricing | Cost Management | Microsoft Excel | Food Industry | Distribution Operations

What’s Offered

• Competitive compensation.
• Medical, dental and vision insurance.
• Retirement savings plan.
• Employee benefits and discounts.
• Opportunities for professional development and career progression.