Description

River Valley Co-op Our Mission: River Valley Co-op staff members are all empowered ambassadors for our cooperative’s mission of creating a just marketplace that nourishes the community.

Cooperative values and the larger cooperative movement inspire us to work together for a more sustainable and just future. As a team, we work to leverage our grocery retail's economic impact for positive social change in the food system, our environment, and our community. We are committed to social justice and developing our anti-racism and multicultural skills throughout our organization.

Our cooperatively-owned business values working together in partnership with our local food producers, other vendors and service providers, community organizations, employees, and our customers to serve our community food needs in ways that sustainably support our mutual needs and aspirations. We prioritize building and sustaining our business operations capacity to generate positive impacts for our employees, business partners, customers, local economy, the common good of our community, and the environment.

Our friendly store operations specializing in fresh, local, organically grown, and natural foods, builds community resilience and grows our local economy. We work hard and have fun doing it, act with honesty, kindness, and respect, and strive to improve every day.

Position: PREPARED FOODS BUYER

Full-time 35-40 hours. Requires open availability, including evenings and weekends.

Status: Reports to Director of Food Services

Pay Level: IV, non-exempt.

Location: Easthampton, MA

Purpose: The Prepared Foods Buyer will be responsible for purchasing products, supplies, and packaging, including taking daily inventory, establishing par levels, monitoring costs, negotiating with suppliers for favorable costs, and seeking out new supply sources. They receive products and maintain all storage areas. They will also data enter invoices, and participate in inventory, including maintaining accurate inventory sheets. This position will provide a high level of service to River Valley Co-op’s internal and external customers and will be responsible for building, creating, and maintaining a friendly, welcoming, and beautiful atmosphere within our Co-op locations.

Responsibilities

• Create and maintain ingredient, product, and packaging order systems/schedules, including taking inventory and keeping track of when we sell out of a product during the day.
• Run sales reports and establish par levels to ensure uninterrupted supply and product levels are in alignment with weekly sales.
• Order products and supplies to maintain product levels that are appropriate for weekly sales levels and inventory turn targets, and that minimize out-of-stock and shrink.
• Communicate with vendors to plan for promotions, samples, and demos.
• Negotiate with vendors on costs based on purchase volume and specials, following strategies set by the Director of Food Services and Prepared Foods Manager.
• Seek opportunities to expand sourcing with a focus on local.
• Partner with Senior Produce Manager and Produce Manager to ensure we are using local produce whenever possible.
• In partnership with NCG, Managers, and Buyer(s) at other locations, regularly review packaging sources and maintain updated cost information, including it in product cost.
• Receive and check in orders, including inspecting for quality, date marking boxes, and rotating stock.
• Notify Management of any short-dated product and assist in fast-tracking through price reduction options to minimize waste/loss.
• Review invoices for accuracy & update costs in Point of Sale. Notify Management of significant cost changes.
• Pursue credits with vendors for miss-picks, missing, damaged, and poor-quality products.
• Process invoices in the tracking system and enter them into recipe costing software.
• Organize and maintain all storage areas to ensure FIFO rotation, clear labeling, safety, and cleanliness.
• Ensure work areas and equipment are kept clean, tidy, sanitary, safe, and in good working order.
• Participate in inventory, including preparing counting sheets with accurate costs, counting, and entering data to deliver to Finance within seven days of the count.
• Record Shrink and maintain monthly sheets with up-to-date costs/retail.
• Analyze and Report on Shrink weekly to the Director of Food Services, including strategizing purchasing to maintain acceptable shrink levels.
• Ensure accurate, uniform, and up-to-date department signage.
• Provide excellent customer service.
• Participate in planning and implementing special events.

ALL STAFF DUTIES

• Attend and participate in department and storewide meetings.

• Fill in with other department tasks as needed.
• Work in a safe and sanitary environment.
• Perform other tasks assigned by the Director of Food Services.

Qualifications

ESSENTIAL

• Ability to use computers and applicable software and programs, including recipe costing software, Microsoft, and Google Suites.
• Experience ordering products and the natural foods industry.
• Experience negotiating with suppliers.
• Proven ability to work in a consistent and focused manner.
• Ability to follow through on systems, procedures, and policies.
• Ability to work efficiently and safely in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to be flexible and to adapt to changing conditions quickly.
• Ability to manage time with consistent weekly deadlines for reporting and other time-sensitive assignments.
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to organize and prioritize multiple tasks simultaneously while working within a deadline.
• Perform duties following safety procedures and promote a safe working environment.
• Flexible - willingness to be open, to learn, and to take on new responsibilities.
• Demonstrate objectivity, neutrality, and calm.
• Demonstrate accuracy and thoroughness.
• Demonstrated ability to work with customers and co-workers from various cultural backgrounds.
• The ability to work productively and independently.
• Regular and predictable attendance.

FUNCTIONAL

• Ability to exert well-paced mobility for up to 8 hours, including standing, walking, bending, and squatting.
• May be required to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds frequently, and up to 75 pounds occasionally.
• The ability to work in a cold environment.
• The ability to work in a wet/damp environment.
• The ability to stand for extended periods.
• Repetitive use of hands for grasping, pushing, pulling, and fine manipulation.
• Ability to operate a powered industrial truck, after being provided with certification training.

PREFERRED

• 3 years of successful experience with buying/purchasing natural and organic foods.
• Natural and local foods (retail, wholesale).
• The ability to speak Spanish, French, or Swahili is a plus.

River Valley Co-op is an equal opportunity employer encouraging excellence through diversity.