Buyer

Job Title: Seafood Buyer

Job Summary: Responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and purchasing seafood products to meet quality, cost, and delivery requirements for retail, foodservice, or processing operations. Manages supplier relationships, monitors market trends, enforces food safety and sustainability standards, and optimizes inventory and costs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Source and procure fresh, frozen, and value‑added seafood (wild-caught and farmed) from domestic and international suppliers.
• Negotiate pricing, payment terms, delivery schedules, and contracts to achieve cost targets and maintain supply reliability.
• Evaluate and qualify new suppliers; maintain and strengthen relationships with existing vendors.
• Monitor seafood market trends, seasonal availability, and price volatility; provide forecasts and purchasing recommendations.
• Ensure all purchases meet company quality, specifications, labeling, and regulatory requirements (e.g., HACCP, FDA, USDA, local regulations).
• Enforce sustainability and traceability standards (e.g., MSC, ASC, Best Aquaculture Practices) and company ethical sourcing policies.
• Coordinate with quality control, receiving, operations, logistics, and merchandising teams to manage incoming inspections, storage, and inventory flow.
• Manage inventory levels, safety stock, and order cadence to minimize spoilage, waste, and carrying costs.
• Resolve supplier performance issues, delivery discrepancies, quality defects, and claims.
• Prepare purchasing reports, supplier scorecards, cost analyses, and budget/forecast updates.
• Travel occasionally for supplier audits, sourcing trips, trade shows, and industry meetings.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Marine Biology, Fisheries, Food Science, or related field preferred (equivalent experience accepted).
• 3–5 years purchasing experience, preferably in seafood, protein, or perishable goods.
• Strong negotiation, vendor management, and contract administration skills.
• Familiarity with seafood species, handling practices, grading, and quality standards.
• Knowledge of food safety systems (HACCP, GMP) and relevant regulatory requirements.
• Understanding of sustainability certifications and traceability practices.
• Proficiency with purchasing/ERP systems and MS Excel; experience with forecasting tools a plus.
• Excellent communication, analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work under pressure, manage multiple priorities, and make data-driven decisions.
• Willingness to travel and work flexible hours as needed.

Preferred:

• Existing supplier network in key sourcing regions.
• Experience with import/export logistics, customs documentation, and cold-chain management.
• Seafood purchasing certification or industry training.

Working Conditions:

• Office-based with frequent interaction with cold storage/warehouse and production areas.
• Occasional travel to suppliers, ports, processing plants, and trade shows.
• May require early-morning scheduling and flexible shifts to coordinate deliveries.

Compensation:

• Salary range (example): $55,000–$90,000/year depending on experience and location. Eligible for benefits and performance bonuses.