Purchasing Coordinator

Who we are:

Established in 1926, Mutual Trading Co., Inc. was originally a small co-op organization for centralized purchasing of basic import foods to service the needs of the early Japanese immigrant society in Southern California. We've grown nearly 100 years old now, and command a premiere position among Japanese foodservice suppliers, as well as fill a key role as "Culinary Ambassador" promoting Japanese foods worldwide. Currently, we import, manufacture, and distribute over 8,000 Japanese foods, beverages, restaurant equipment and supplies. 

Since 2011, our affiliate, Yamasho Inc. takes pride in providing a variety of restaurant items ranging from non-food to dry and frozen food products to our restaurant customers in its current location in Chambless, GA. Today, the company is dedicated to meet and exceed the customers’ expectations and create a unique experience to our customers with the explosion of Japanese food and culture in America. 

Benefits

All paid Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance for employees and their dependents

Life Insurance and 401k Plan with company match.

Location: Chamblee, GA

Hours: M-F: 8AM – 5PM. 1 hour lunch.  OT as needed

Essential Job Functions

Purchasing – 80%

•    Coordinate local purchasing for frozen and dry food related products, non-food items, including vendor relationship development, quality assurance, price negotiations, transportation logistics, and product development.

•    Coordinate with Yamasho Inc and New York purchasing departments for transportation and delivery of frozen and dry food products with local vendors.

•    Maintain records in the Company S2K system including inventory adjustment, price change,  container list, and sales data aggregation.

•    Processes receipts and invoices for payment.  

•    Calculate costs and product pricing to determine profit margin.

•    Ensure food products safely meet FDA and USDA regulation standards by maintaining HACCP and CAPA food safety plans. 

•    Communicate with trucking companies to ensure proper transfer of goods.

•    Work with warehouse department to ensure correct quantity, satisfactory quality, checking products, organizing location/display if necessary, and proper receiving of purchased goods.

•    Frequently review inventory for discrepancies and work with the warehouse for resolutions.

•    Ensure adequate volume of products and create purchase orders based on sales volume and inventory.

•    Create promotional flyers to promote and sell Company products, and make catalogue for non-food items.

•    Coordinate semiannual inventory count on designated day, possibly on a weekend.

•    Attend Company events and functions outside of normal working hours.

•    Other duties as required by department manager.

•    Obligation to answer all management as requested.

Office & Sales Support – 20%

•    Answer Incoming calls.

•    Report any inventory or service issues to appropriate account manager immediately. 

•    Collaborate with the sales staff to monitor active purchase orders and ensure that orders are completed on time. 

•    Update and prepare all monthly sales materials/reports as defined by the Division. 

Physical Requirements

•    Ability to sit and work in an office setting for an extended period of time.

•    Ability to type and use a computer for extended periods of time. 

•    Ability to talk, hear, walk, stand, smell, taste, reach, bend, kneel, and lift and/or move up to 50 pounds occasionally. 

•    Working Conditions

o    Noise Level: Normal to loud while in the office

o    Location: Indoors

Other Requirements

•    Business level English – Read/write/speak/listen.

•    Business level Japanese – Read/write/speak listen preferred.

•    Maintain a positive attitude. 

•    Ability to work independently and as a team. 

•    Ability to adapt to frequent changes in assignments and workload. 

•    High School Diploma or equivalent required. Bachelor’s degree in business preferred.

•    2 years of relevant experience required; food industry experience preferred.

Knowledge and Skills

•    Exceptional organizational and time management skills, and attention to detail.

•    Possess intermediate mathematical knowledge – profit margin calculations, markups, discounts, combining/converting measurements, counting inventory, etc.

•    Strong communication, interpersonal, customer service and problem-solving skills.

•    Advanced Microsoft Office, such as Excel, proficiency.

•    Knowledge of ERP systems, especially S2K or Microsoft Business Central preferred. 

•    Knowledge of Japanese foods, sakes, and appreciation of Japanese culture is preferred.

Disclaimers

This position description is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. Individuals may be required to perform any other job-related duties as instructed or requested by the department manager or other management as needed, subject to reasonable accommodation and business needs. The information contained herein is subject to change in the Company’s sole discretion, and no part of this document is to be construed as an express or implied contract of employment, nor does it alter the “at-will” employment status with the Company. Requirements are subject to accommodations with ADA, FEHA, and all other applicable federal and state laws. Please report any changes of essential job functions to the Human Resources Department.

Mutual Trading Co., Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.