POSITION SUMMARY

The grocery buyer purchases products within a budget set by the company and maintains

inventory levels within budgeted parameters. He or she controls the physical inventory of the

grocery department; negotiates best terms and most favorable discounts; organizes promotions,

discount programs, and product demonstrations; and involves other departments in new product

introductions and education.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS OF POSITION

• Demonstrate excellent customer service and professional work examples for sales and stocking staff by regularly working on the sales floor. 

• Sell our products in an informative, friendly and enthusiastic manner. Share knowledge of products and product suggestions in the course of conversation with customers. Regularly offer samples. 

• Resolve customer issues in a timely way.

• Recommend grocery products with knowledge, being able to make recommendations, and suggestions on substitutions should items not be available.

• Set retail prices, adhering to budgeting margins but also recommending margin adjustments to manager when judgment dictates. 

• Secure a regular supply of samples or testers.

• Maintain good working relationships and open lines of communication with all suppliers.

• Ensure orderboards and orderguides are regularly updated for suppliers. This reflects any new items, removal of discontinued items, pack size or item number changes, and pars per item are updated regularly. Additionally, contact information, order deadlines, and order minimums are updated accordingly.

• Address quality and supply issues in a timely and professional manner. Follow credit memo and return procedures to ensure financial integrity on the inventory and bookkeeping side.

• Remain current on recalls, regulatory issues affecting our products, and on labeling definitions (organic, humane, non-gmo, homeopathic, GRAS, etc.)

• Ensure that inventory pars are maintained. Do not be low or out of stock; do not be over-inventoried.

• Conduct category management; analyze and consider replacing non- or slow-sellers. Being conscious of current trends in the industry.

• Fulfill customer special orders.

• Identify damaged, compromised, and unsellable products and determine financial responsibility in a timely manner. 

• Ensure the highest standards of appearance of grocery products, shelves, displays, and signage. All items and areas must be clean, presentable, and well merchandised.

• Create and maintain up-to-date shelf talkers and signage for grocery product. All signs and shelf tags must be clean, legible and accurate.

• Plan promotions and coordinate with grocery manager for approval. Monitor and maintain the promotion program. Ensure that product is ordered in enough time to arrive for the promotion. Negotiate sampling allowance with vendors. Request signage in a timely way. 

• Maintain all merchandising support for grocery, including endcaps, displays, and signage. All items should be stored in clean, neat, accurate, and presentable order.

• Review and monitor daily sales; compare and contrast with departmental sales history. Meet or exceed sales goals.

• Prepare for and conduct departmental inventories according to store inventory schedule. Resolve discrepancies in a timely manner.

• Maintain proper database management, this includes the entering of new items into the POS correctly, that purchase orders are regularly inputted accurately to indicate current inventory levels, and inventory is adjusted appropriately to reflect product loss and discrepancies.

• Communicate on a daily basis with receiver and stockers in order to ensure proper product flow, purchase order and invoice accuracy.

• Participate in periodic safety training and turn in records by due date.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF ALL STAFF MEMBERS

• Always practice complete customer service by immediately greeting and welcoming customers, constantly anticipating and graciously assisting with customer needs, saying thank you, good-bye and inviting customers back.

• Communicate information regarding customer requests and suggestions, new menu items, new projects and procedures to the store manager.

• Be trained and available to help serve customers in other departments and areas as needed.

• Be informed and up-to-date on store offerings, products and services information in order to correctly answer customer questions; remain current on all posted company and store information and memos.

• Communicate to coworkers at shift hand-offs. Share freely all important and even seemingly unimportant information that may affect the smooth running of the department and the store. Always be guided by the principle that “More communication is better than less.”

• Use proper telephone etiquette and procedures (when answering, say, Hello, Canyon Market).

• Always maintain superior vendor relationships, treating our vendors, their delivery staff and representatives with respect and courtesy. Address any issues directly to the store manager or grocery buyer right away.

• Follow proper write-off, sample, promotion and transfer procedures.

• Follow all safety and sanitation policies.

• Always practice excellent trash, recycling and composting procedures to minimize solid waste flow into the dumpster and to uphold the Canyon Market ecology initiatives.

• Follow Canyon Market presentation standards and dress code for your position.

• Attend department, buyer and store meetings as scheduled.

• Understand and comply with all information listed in the Canyon Market Staff Handbook, Code of Conduct, Orientation Manual, Injury and Illness Prevention Program, Departmental Training Manuals, Job Description and Job Duties lists.

• Perform all duties quickly, thoroughly and enthusiastically. 

QUALIFICATIONS

Educational/Experience Requirements: College diploma and prior extensive experience in grocery buying, merchandising, retailing and/or wholesaling (2 years minimum).

Physical Requirements: While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be continuously carrying/transporting of loads between 15-50 lbs.; intermittent standing, walking, bending reaching, sitting and occasionally climbing, stooping, twisting and fine manipulation. Occasional environmental exposures to cold, heat and water with rare exposure to dust and fumes. Use of machinery including, but not limited to, dollies, computers, printers and other office equipment.

Skill Requirements: Thorough natural food product knowledge in the grocery department. Effective oral/written communication, interpersonal and customer services skills to interact with diverse groups including vendors, staff, managers and customers. Retail business understanding and experience including margin calculation, time management, self-motivation, organizational and problem-solving abilities and professional demeanor and appearance. Knowledge of

MS Word and Excel.

Language Requirements: English language and professional communication skills are required. 

License Requirements: None

Travel Requirements: None

Hours and Days Required: Full time, flexible schedule is necessary with work days determined by business needs.

Attendance Requirements: Excellent attendance and punctuality is required, with schedule flexibility determined by business needs.