What are the responsibilities and job description for the Purchasing Agent (Import Buyer) position at Imperial Dade?
Overview:
A successful Purchasing Agent combines strategic and tactical expertise, with experience in vendor relations, new item setup, vendor product sourcing and purchase order management. The ideal candidate demonstrates strong prioritization and negotiation skills, maintains a sense of urgency in resolving issues, and has experience with long lead time or import vendors including an ability to forecast demand and place POs well in advance, factoring in transit times, containerization, production schedules, seasonal constraints, and potential delays for multiple warehouses.
Salary range: $75,000 - $85,000
Location variable: The listed salary range is based on the Jersey City, NJ market. Compensation for candidates in other areas will be competitively adjusted to reflect the local market.
Imperial Dade is the leading independently owned and operated distributor of foodservice packaging and janitorial supplies in North America. As a provider of customized supply chain solutions, we serve customers in many business-to-business market segments including restaurants, grocery stores, healthcare, sports and entertainment, and cruise lines. Founded in 1935 and headquartered in New Jersey, Imperial Dade serves as a mission-critical partner to more than 120,000 customers through our footprint of 130 branches.
We offer a dynamic environment for our more than 7,500 employees to work, learn, and grow professionally. We value our people and strive to create rewarding career opportunities by offering competitive salaries and benefits (medical, dental, vision), a 401(k) program with company match, life insurance, a generous paid time off package, educational reimbursement, paid family leave, and adoption assistance. We are excited to invite talented individuals with a passion for excellence to join our team.
Imperial Dade is an EEO Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, status as a parent, national origin, age, disability (physical or mental), family medical history, or genetic information, political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit-based factors.
Our company is a Fair Chance employer, committed to providing opportunities for qualified individuals with past justice system involvement. We believe in assessing candidates based on their skills and experience. A conditional offer of employment will be contingent upon the successful completion of a background check, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
Imperial Dade, a leading North American distributor, has a Purchasing Agent with Import Buying experience role available in Jersey City, NJ! Join a strong and continuously evolving Purchasing group, helping to continue to grow our business. Imperial Dade is a great place to take that next step if you're eager for your next opportunity.
A successful Purchasing Agent combines strategic and tactical expertise, with experience in vendor relations, new item setup, vendor product sourcing and purchase order management. The ideal candidate demonstrates strong prioritization and negotiation skills, maintains a sense of urgency in resolving issues, and has experience with long lead time or import vendors including an ability to forecast demand and place POs well in advance, factoring in transit times, containerization, production schedules, seasonal constraints, and potential delays for multiple warehouses.
Salary range: $75,000 - $85,000
Location variable: The listed salary range is based on the Jersey City, NJ market. Compensation for candidates in other areas will be competitively adjusted to reflect the local market.
Imperial Dade is the leading independently owned and operated distributor of foodservice packaging and janitorial supplies in North America. As a provider of customized supply chain solutions, we serve customers in many business-to-business market segments including restaurants, grocery stores, healthcare, sports and entertainment, and cruise lines. Founded in 1935 and headquartered in New Jersey, Imperial Dade serves as a mission-critical partner to more than 120,000 customers through our footprint of 130 branches.
**All correspondence will come directly from Imperial Dade and not a personal email address.**
You will:
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with vendors, buyers, and the sales, sourcing and synergy teams to stay aligned on priorities, customer needs, and import lead-time expectations.
- Use planning tools and Excel files to forecast inventory and sales needs across multiple warehouses, identifying potential gaps and considering containerization requirements by vendor and item.
- Oversee import purchasing activities, including tracking production schedules, monitoring transit times, reviewing shipment notifications, and coordinating with freight forwarders or logistics partners.
- Create, release, and track purchase orders accurately and on time, ensuring compliance with procurement policies, inventory requirements, and long-lead import timelines.
- Expedite, defer, or adjust purchase orders in response to changing inventory levels, shipment delays, or updated customer demand.
- Identify inventory risks and alternative items or sources to maintain stock availability and support operational needs.
- Seek opportunities to transfer product between locations to balance inventory and reduce excess or slow-moving stock.
- Maintain accurate purchase records, inbound shipment details, and inventory reporting to ensure clear visibility across the supply chain.
- Analyze inventory trends and demand forecasts to identify risks related to long lead times, seasonal fluctuations, or container delays; collaborate with Sales and Sourcing to adjust replenishment strategies.
You have:
- 3 years of Import Buying or Import Purchasing and Planning experience, managing long lead time items, inventory management, or supply chain experience is a plus.
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, or related field (preferred).
- Strong negotiation, prioritization, and problem-solving abilities with a consistent sense of urgency.
- High proficiency in Microsoft Excel; aptitude to quickly learn other technical applications and ERP/procurement systems.
- Effective collaborator, able to build strong working relationships with Sales, Buying teams, suppliers, and other business partners.
We offer a dynamic environment for our more than 7,500 employees to work, learn, and grow professionally. We value our people and strive to create rewarding career opportunities by offering competitive salaries and benefits (medical, dental, vision), a 401(k) program with company match, life insurance, a generous paid time off package, educational reimbursement, paid family leave, and adoption assistance. We are excited to invite talented individuals with a passion for excellence to join our team.
Imperial Dade is an EEO Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, status as a parent, national origin, age, disability (physical or mental), family medical history, or genetic information, political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit-based factors.
Our company is a Fair Chance employer, committed to providing opportunities for qualified individuals with past justice system involvement. We believe in assessing candidates based on their skills and experience. A conditional offer of employment will be contingent upon the successful completion of a background check, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
Salary : $75,000 - $85,000
