Senior Buyer

The Senior Buyer is responsible for executing high-volume, cross-entity purchasing strategies that leverage the combined buying power of all Produce One Family of Companies (POFOC) operating companies — Carbonella & DeSarbo, Premier Produce One, Native Maine, and Brophy Brothers.

This role converts platform-wide scale into negotiating leverage, working supplier by supplier and category by category to unlock cost synergies that would not be available to any single operating company acting alone. The Senior Buyer works closely with Category Managers and the Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) to translate consolidated volume and market intelligence into lower landed cost, better terms, and measurable sheltered income that supports the platform's growth and equity return goals.

This position requires a strong balance of market knowledge, negotiation skill, and cross-company coordination. The Senior Buyer will actively manage supplier relationships across entities, respond to market conditions in real time, and help build and maintain the consolidated buying infrastructure that supports the platform's procurement function.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Cross-Platform Buying & Volume Leverage

• Consolidate purchase volume across all four operating companies to negotiate improved cost, terms, and service levels with suppliers
• Identify shared vendors and overlapping SKUs across entities and shift volume to create platform-wide cost advantage
• Apply the intercompany transfer pricing framework (FOB cost tiers and Quality of Buy markups) consistently across entities
• Track and report realized savings and synergies from consolidated buying against platform KPI and benchmark targets

Supplier Negotiation & Vendor Management

• Lead negotiations for assigned categories and commodities, using platform-wide volume as leverage
• Build and maintain strong, well-documented supplier relationships that support cost, quality, and supply reliability
• Evaluate new supply sources and alternative vendors to strengthen the platform’s negotiating position
• Monitor vendor performance against scorecard criteria, including fulfillment, quality, food safety, pricing, and service

Sheltered Income & Margin Contribution

• Identify and execute purchasing decisions that convert market and volume advantages into measurable margin and sheltered income
• Supply accurate FOB cost, transfer pricing, and market benchmark data to support the CPO’s savings and KPI framework
• Flag and act on market windows — harvest timing, regional sourcing shifts, transportation costs — that create buying opportunities

Market & Regional Sourcing Expertise

• Maintain deep knowledge of regional growing seasons and terminal markets relevant to the platform, including Hunt’s Point/Chelsea, the Salinas Valley, and Michigan seasonal production
• Monitor USDA and market benchmark data to validate buy pricing against current market conditions
• Anticipate transitions, shortages, weather impacts, and pricing swings, and communicate implications to CPO and Procurement Leadership

Cross-Entity Collaboration & Process Discipline

• Work across OpCo buying teams to share market intelligence, vendor terms, and sourcing opportunities
• Follow standardized procurement processes, transfer pricing rules, and reporting standards established by the CPO’s office
• Support the continued build-out of PROPCO’s consolidated buying infrastructure, tools, and documentation
• Serve as a resource and informal mentor to OpCo-level buyers on platform sourcing practices

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree preferred
• 7 years of experience in produce buying, procurement, or category management, ideally spanning multiple regions or business units
• Demonstrated experience negotiating with suppliers at scale and delivering measurable cost savings
• Strong understanding of produce markets, seasonality, and terminal/regional market dynamics
• Comfort working with FOB costing, transfer pricing structures, and market benchmark data
• Ability to operate independently across multiple business units and build trust with OpCo leadership
• Solid financial acumen, including understanding of margin and cost drivers
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and relationship-building skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and relevant procurement systems
• Willingness to travel to supplier, market, and OpCo locations as needed

SUCCESS IN THIS ROLE WILL BE DEFINED BY

• Measurable cost savings and sheltered income delivered through consolidated, platform-wide buying
• Strong, consistent supplier relationships and terms across all four operating companies
• Accurate, timely input into the CPO’s KPI and realized-savings tracking framework
• Effective collaboration with Category Managers, OpCo leadership, and buying teams across the platform
• Sound market judgment and quick, well-informed reaction to changing conditions

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND ABILITIES

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Frequent use of hands and fingers for typing, operating office equipment, and using mobile devices
• Frequent verbal communication, including in-person meetings, phone calls, and video conferencing
• Ability to read screens, printed materials, and presentations
• Ability to hear and understand conversations in office, meeting, and phone environments

• Ability to move about office, warehouse, supplier, and OpCo facilities for meetings, walk-throughs, and relationship-building activities
• Occasional standing, walking, bending, or reaching during site visits, tours, or events
• Regular travel by car or plane between OpCo locations, supplier facilities, terminal markets, and industry conferences

Carbonella & DeSarbo is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment, including the decision to hire, promote, discipline or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

Applicants and employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States without current or future employer sponsorship as a condition of employment.