Maximum Quality Foods, Inc. is an independent foodservice distributor located in Linden, NJ. Family Owned and operated for over 46 years, we are proud to service all of New York, New Jersey, and Delaware, as well as parts of Connecticut, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.

Job Title: Buyer FLSA/Grade: Exempt

Reports to: Director of Purchasing Department: Purchasing

Position Summary:

Responsible for procuring paper, dry, refrigerated, and frozen food product at the appropriate quality,

lowest price and within an acceptable time frame.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities: Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Supervise the procurement of paper, dry, refrigerated, and frozen food products.
• Negotiate agreements with suppliers to attain acceptable quality, lowest price, and timely deliveries for the Company.
• Understand and follow the corporation's policies and guidelines regarding the ethical conduct of purchasing activities.
• Prepare a monthly report by vendor of purchasing activity including price deviations, quality problems, on-time deliveries and late deliveries.
• Maintain contact with all markets and vendors from which the Company procures goods or services through personal contact, professional associations, and trade publications.
• Prepare vendor purchase orders, enter into computer and mail or confirm as needed.
• Maintain vendor purchase orders and quotation files.
• Issue and monitor Company quotation requests for all new material to be purchased.
• Prepare an annual budget and plans to support the company with purchasing services.
• Negotiate major purchase contracts which are of duration of greater than twelve months.
• Establish and direct a cost reduction program aimed at lowering overall purchased goods costs.
• Builds and maintains good business vendor relationships and seeks out new or alternative vendors as required.
• Establishes and maintains raw material inventory and periodically checks quantities to ensure accuracy.
• Resolve order and billing discrepancies in coordination with accounting and vendors and responds to inquiries on any material received.
• Process returned purchase items that are not acceptable or do not meet specifications.
• Interface with management concerning new products and forecast for new and existing products.
• Initiate and distribute change notices for purchased items such as changes in specifications, part numbers and sources.
• Interface with shipping/receiving regarding incoming and outgoing shipments daily.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by management.

Competencies:

• Oral Communication Skills
• Written Communication Skills
• Reading Skills
• Customer Relations
• Organization
• Professionalism
• Time Management
• Math Aptitude

Minimum Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Associates Degree or higher.
• Minimum 3 years purchasing experience in paper, dry, refrigerated, and frozen food products.
• Negotiator aptitude
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel)

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental and Vision insurance
• Paid time off
• 401K