Food & Produce - BUYER / PROCUREMENT AGENT

Food & Produce - BUYER / PROCUREMENT AGENT

Location: Miami-Dade County, Florida
Department: Purchasing / Supply Chain
Reports To: Purchasing Manager

Job Summary

We are seeking a proactive, detail-oriented Buyer / Procurement Agent to manage purchasing, inventory replenishment, demand forecasting, supplier relationships, and cost-control activities for assigned product categories.

The ideal candidate is a motivated self-starter who can analyze inventory and market data, anticipate demand, negotiate favorable supplier terms, and collaborate with sales, operations, accounting, logistics, and other departments. This position is responsible for maintaining appropriate inventory levels, controlling costs, ensuring product quality, and supporting the timely delivery of goods.

Key Responsibilities

Purchasing & Inventory Management

• Monitor assigned products and inventory levels daily to determine replenishment needs.
• Create, issue, and manage purchase orders with accurate costs, quantities, specifications, and delivery dates.
• Ensure suppliers confirm purchase orders and meet agreed-upon requirements.
• Maintain accurate purchasing parameters, including lead times, vendors, replenishment methods, and ordering locations.
• Manage inventory levels to minimize shortages, excess inventory, spoilage, and shrinkage.
• Source alternative products and suppliers to address shortages, improve quality, or reduce costs.
• Manage product additions, discontinued items, substitutions, and packaging changes.
• Coordinate supplier returns, inventory allowances, credits, claims, and chargebacks.
• Submit claims for damaged, incorrect, unacceptable, or excess merchandise.

Forecasting & Analysis

• Forecast demand using historical data, sales and marketing input, customer events, seasonality, market trends, and changes in business activity.
• Analyze inventory, purchasing costs, supplier performance, and forecasting accuracy.
• Prepare reports and track key performance metrics to reduce expenses and improve purchasing effectiveness.
• Identify forecasting errors and implement strategies to improve future purchasing decisions.
• Monitor competitor pricing, market conditions, supplier capacity, and product availability.
• Anticipate supply-chain risks and develop appropriate contingency plans.

Supplier Management & Cost Control

• Develop and maintain strong professional relationships with suppliers.
• Negotiate pricing, payment terms, delivery schedules, and other purchasing conditions.
• Obtain market intelligence and prepare cost comparisons to secure the best quality at the lowest reasonable cost.
• Monitor vendor compliance, quality, capacity constraints, and on-time shipment performance.
• Review open and late purchase orders and expedite shipments when necessary.
• Review supplier contracts and purchasing agreements.
• Control procurement spending and identify opportunities for long-term cost savings.
• Pursue appropriate credits or chargebacks for unacceptable costs, quality issues, or supplier errors.

Operations & Cross-Functional Coordination

• Collaborate with sales, marketing, operations, accounting, logistics, and warehouse teams to improve supply-chain efficiency.
• Communicate product information to sales teams, including cost, UPC, case pack, availability, and shelf life.
• Coordinate production volumes, transportation, container utilization, and delivery schedules.
• Assist with transportation planning to support on-time shipment and delivery.
• Reconcile supplier invoices and resolve purchase-order or pricing discrepancies with accounting.
• Support internal and external audits by providing purchasing and inventory documentation.
• Keep purchasing management informed of important developments, risks, and potential problems.
• Recommend and implement improvements to purchasing procedures, forecasting methods, and team efficiency.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Food, Produce & Import Responsibilities

Depending on the assigned product category, responsibilities may also include:

• Purchasing fresh produce, dairy products, or other perishable food items.
• Monitoring shelf life, product quality, spoilage, and shrinkage.
• Coordinating USDA inspections, phytosanitary certificates, and export documentation.
• Overseeing container loading and product quality during occasional weekends or holidays.
• Ensuring compliance with applicable food-safety, import, and export requirements.

Qualifications & Skills

• At least two years of purchasing, procurement, inventory, or supply-chain experience required.
• Food, produce, dairy, distribution, or related purchasing experience is a MUST.
• Strong knowledge of purchasing, inventory replenishment, demand forecasting, and materials-management principles.
• Familiarity with logistics, transportation, warehouse, and supply-chain processes.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to evaluate costs, market trends, inventory levels, and supplier performance.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to develop strong vendor relationships and manage multiple priorities.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy, quality, and customer service.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Outlook, inventory-management systems, and ERP software.
• SAP experience preferred.
• Bilingual English and Spanish strongly preferred and may be required depending on the assignment.
• Bachelor’s degree in supply-chain management, business administration, or a related field preferred but not required.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across multiple departments.
• Flexibility to work occasional weekends or holidays when required for container loading, inspections, or quality control.
• Ability to commute to the assigned work location in the Medley/Hialeah area.

Benefits may include:

• Health, dental, vision, and life insurance
• 401(k) with employer matching
• Paid vacation based on length of service
• Additional benefits may vary by assignment

We are an equal-opportunity employer committed to maintaining an inclusive and diverse workplace. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.

Compensation / Pay Rate (Up to): $65,000.00 - $75,000.00 Per Year