The Buyer at Katzman Produce is responsible for the procurement and management of product within their designated category or department. This position requires a deep understanding of produce markets, logistics, pricing trends, customer needs, and vendor relationships. The Buyer plays a key role in ensuring consistent product availability, maintaining profitability, and supporting the Sales team through strategic sourcing and real-time communication. This is a highly collaborative role that serves as a critical link between shippers, vendors, the warehouse, and the Sales team. The Buyer is expected to act as a leader within the department, guiding buyer assistants, coordinating with warehouse teams, and maintaining a keen eye on inventory and market movement.
Key Responsibilities
- Procurement & Market Analysis
- Monitor and evaluate market trends, pricing fluctuations, seasonality, and growing regions to inform daily purchasing decisions.
- Maintain strong knowledge of all aspects of the assigned product category, including origin, seasonality, quality specs, and pricing history.
- Source product strategically to maximize profitability while balancing factors such as freight, availability, quality, and timing.
- Monitor current and forecasted weather conditions and assess their impact at the growing point, in transit, and at the destination (including Hunts Point Market).
- Inventory & Logistics Management
- Maintain targeted inventory levels by overseeing inbound product timelines and collaborating with logistics personnel.
- Ensure continuous product flow to meet customer demand and support sales team needs.
- Walk the warehouse regularly and collaborate with salespeople and warehouse supervisors to maintain real-time awareness of on-hand inventory.
- Provide pricing, documentation, and timelines to support claims and invoice accuracy within 3–5 days of product receipt.
- Review and submit purchase orders for processing within 14–21 days of product receipt; ensure Buyer Assistants are tracking and updating purchase order statuses accordingly.
- Vendor & Shipper Relationship Management
- Develop, manage, and grow strong relationships with shippers and vendors to ensure reliable sourcing and collaborative partnerships.
- Serve as the face of Katzman Produce in all vendor and shipper interactions, both on-site and off-site.
- Set clear expectations with vendors regarding pricing, product quality, shipping timelines, and billing practices.
- Sales Team Partnership
- Act as a strategic partner to the Sales team by:
- Providing current product costs, market insights, and vendor/grower expectations.
- Supporting daily sales goals through inventory management and price guidance.
- Monitoring daily sales reports to course-correct underperforming items or mispriced products.
- Supporting the arrangement of promotional/Ad pricing for select customers and communicating changes accordingly.
- Team Leadership
- Serve as a leader and point of contact within the category team, overseeing Buyer Assistants and supporting department salespeople.
- Delegate clerical tasks, order maintenance, and PO tracking to Buyer Assistants while ensuring accuracy and responsiveness to shippers/vendors.
- Coach and guide team members on best practices, internal communication, and timely follow-up.
Additional Responsibilities
- Represent Katzman Produce at industry events or vendor site visits as needed.
- Coordinate with Finance and Accounts Payable on invoice discrepancies, credits, and vendor billing.
- Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.
Qualifications/Requirements
- Education: High school diploma or GED required; Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Business, Supply Chain, or a related field preferred.
- Experience: Minimum 3-5 years of experience in produce procurement, wholesale buying, or supply chain operations. Experience in Hunts Point or a similar wholesale terminal market is strongly preferred.
- Industry Knowledge: Familiarity with produce categories, growing cycles, perishability standards, and market conditions required.
Skills & Competencies:
- Strong analytical and negotiation skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, inventory systems, and ERP platforms.
- Ability to assess product quality and make quick, informed decisions.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills for vendor interaction and internal collaboration.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-pressure, and deadline-driven environment.
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus.
Physical Requirements:
- Must be comfortable walking warehouse floors and inspecting perishable products.
- Occasional travel for vendor site visits or industry events.
- Ability to work flexible hours, including early mornings or weekends during peak seasons.
Pay: The expected salary range for this position is $120,000 to $140,000 annually. Final compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors.