Buyer

Imperial Trading Co., LLC is looking for a highly motivated and skilled Buyer/Category Manager to join the Elmwood, LA Purchasing Team!  Skilled applicants will work in conjunction with the multiple departments and operations while initiating best practices for the procurement process.   As a Buyer in the Wholesale Food Distribution industry, this position will play a crucial role in managing the procurement process to ensure that our inventory meets customer demand while optimizing costs.  The Buy's primary objective will be to source high-quality products from reliable suppliers, negotiating favorable terms and prices to enhance profitability, and will be responsible for analyzing market trends and supplier performance to make informed purchasing decisions that align with our business strategy.  Additionally, qualified candidates will collaborate closely with various departments, including sales and inventory management, to forecast needs and streamline the purchasing process. Ultimately, a solid work ethic will directly contribute to the overall efficiency and success of our New Orleans Team!  We are proud that our Company has been in business for more than 100 years and continues expand as one of the nation's largest food distributors.  It is an exciting time to join the Imperial Team!

LOCATION:  Elmwood, LA (Greater New Orleans)

BENEFITS:

• Competitive Medical, Dental, & Vision package
• Wellness Program
• Employer paid basic life policy with competitive buy-up options
• Disability insurance
• 401(k) with employer match    

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• College degree or work experience equivalent
• Knowledge and understanding of purchasing processes
• Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and Excel)
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; able to negotiate, establish and process contracts
• Able to multitask, prioritize and manage time efficiently
• Accurate and precise, attention to detail
• Able to make decisions in a fast-paced environment
• Work independently and in a TEAM environment
• Dependable
• Self-Motivated
• Good attendance/punctual
• Background in foodservice and convenience store inventory procurement preferred
• Travel up to 10% required for regional trade shows   

SUMMARY OF DUTIES:  Maintain optimum in-stock service levels to retailers and achieve inventory investment goals and profits; proactively have available the most comprehensive offering of products and services to enhance sales and profits 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Additional duties which are necessary to carry out the function of the Category Manager may be assigned and are incorporated by reference into this job description. 

• Primary duty includes the exercise of discretion and independent judgment with respect to matters of significance and is directly related to the management and general business operations of the Company and its customers;
• Responsible for executing all daily duties of replenishment buying: maintaining demands and forecasts, ordering timely within vendor and service level guidelines, managing products not fulfilled by vendors on order received daily, planning pre-book distributions within your order cycles timely, communication to category manager and vendor any issues.
• Establish, modify, & maintain optimal profit analysis criteria for all assigned vendor lines and categories; review and re-set vendors on a regular cadence
• Manage overstock and deadstock on a weekly basis. Keep records of sales/customer requests effectively to report at later dates where necessary.
• Responsible for item/vendor/billback set ups in proper timelines. Coordinate with Category Manager
• Work with category manager on SKU rationalization and efficiency practices within vendors and categories.
• Coordinate with operations: new items, damages, returns, inventory checks, scheduling, along with other communications.
• Responsible for maintaining accurate vendor pricing in the system, terms and conditions of sale, customer allowances, bracket and lead-times.
• Attend meetings alongside category manager with vendor and broker representatives for assigned lines and categories. Work to negotiate deals, resolve ongoing problems (deadstock/overstock), plan-o-gram discussions.
• Required to notify all relevant departments, including but not limited to, operations and accounting of specific information relating to deals and forward buy purchase orders, expenditures, cases and expected delivery; required to work with operations personnel to insure timely receipt of all purchase orders
• Responsible for timely notifications and presentations to sales, merchandising and customer service personnel on new items, promotions, deletions and category sku changes.
• Responsible for timely and accurate follow up of all internal sales personnel requests on new items, research and status;
• Reports to work, meetings, and scheduled business affairs on time, as directed by the Senior Category Manager and completes above listed task in a competent manner

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands of this job include light physical activity performing activities of an administrative, productive and/or technical nature that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  The employee must regularly talk or hear and reach with hands or arms.  The employees must frequently stand, walk, and use hands to finger, handle or feel.  The employee must occasionally sit, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl and taste or smell.  The employee must occasionally lift up 10 pounds and up to 25 pounds.  Vision requirements for this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT: 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  The employee may occasionally work with the risk of electrical shock.  The noise level of the work environment is moderate. 

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT POLICY: 

Imperial Trading Co., LLC’s hiring, and employment practices are based on job qualifications, performance, and/or conduct without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, height, weight, disability, genetic information, or any other legally protected status. 

AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT: 

All employees of the Company are employees’ at-will and, as such, are free to resign at any time without reason.  The Company, likewise, retains the right to terminate an employee's employment at any time with or without reason or notice.   Nothing contained in the Employee Handbook, or any document provided to the employee is intended to be, nor should it be, construed as a guarantee that employment or any benefit will be continued for any period.  Any salary figures provided to an employee in annual or monthly terms are stated for the sake of convenience or to facilitate comparisons and are not intended and do not create an employment contract for any specific period.