Junior Buyer
Company:Jetro / Restaurant Depot
Location:1710 Whitestone Expwy, Whitestone, NY 11357
Job Type:Full-time
Sector:Buying
Compensation:$50000.00 - $65000.00 a year
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Restaurant Depot is the nation's leading members-only, wholesale cash-and-carry supplier serving independent restaurants, caterers, delis, convenience stores, & other food service businesses across 165+ locations in 35 states. Our facilities handle high-volume distribution of food, beverage, & equipment products to support the operational needs of small businesses. We are committed to delivering quality products, competitive pricing, & exceptional service across our operations. As we continue to grow, we are seeking a motivated & detail-oriented Jr Buyer to support purchasing, vendor relationships, inventory management, & category performance across our organization.
Position Summary
The Jr Buyer is responsible for supporting purchasing activities within assigned product categories to ensure product availability, competitive pricing, & efficient inventory management. This role works closely with vendors, category managers, warehouse operations, & logistics teams to coordinate purchasing activities, monitor inventory levels, analyze product performance, & maintain consistent product flow.
The ideal candidate is analytical, highly organized, & eager to develop a career in procurement & supply chain management. This position offers hands-on experience in purchasing, vendor negotiations, & category management, with a structured development path designed to prepare successful candidates for advancement into a Buyer role within 12-18 months, based on performance & business needs.
Key Responsibilities
Purchasing & Inventory Management
- Support purchasing activities for assigned food & non-food product categories to maintain product availability & meet sales demand
- Create, process, & monitor purchase orders to ensure accurate quantities, pricing, & timely delivery
- Review inventory levels, sales trends, & demand forecasts to support replenishment decisions
- Monitor open purchase orders, product availability, & delivery schedules to minimize out-of-stock conditions
- Maintain accurate purchasing records, product information, & inventory documentation
Vendor Relations & Cost Management
- Communicate with suppliers regarding product availability, pricing, lead times, & delivery expectations
- Assist with vendor negotiations, pricing comparisons, & cost-saving initiatives
- Monitor vendor performance & help resolve pricing, invoicing, delivery, & product discrepancies
- Support new vendor onboarding, product sourcing, & item setup processes
- Assist with maintaining competitive pricing, controlling costs, & supporting margin targets
Category Analysis & Reporting
- Analyze sales trends, inventory movement, product performance, & seasonal demand
- Prepare purchasing reports, pricing comparisons, & inventory analyses to support category decisions
- Monitor product costs, margins, & market conditions to identify opportunities for improvement
- Maintain accurate product specifications, supplier records, & purchasing data
- Support category managers with assortment planning, promotional activities, & purchasing strategies
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Compliance
- Partner with warehouse, logistics, inventory control, & operations teams to ensure efficient product flow
- Assist with resolving receiving discrepancies, product quality concerns, & inventory-related issues
- Verify product specifications & support compliance with company quality standards, food safety requirements, & purchasing policies
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders to support product launches, promotions, & operational initiatives
- Identify opportunities to improve purchasing processes, inventory accuracy, & operational efficiency
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Hospitality, or related field preferred
- Strong interest in developing a career in purchasing, procurement, or category management
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel
- Strong analytical, organizational, & problem-solving skills
- Excellent attention to detail & ability to maintain accurate records
- Strong written & verbal communication skills
- Ability to manage multiple priorities & work effectively in a fast-paced, high-volume environment
- Ability to work independently & collaborate effectively across departments
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous internship or professional experience in purchasing, procurement, inventory management, merchandising, or a related field
- Familiarity with purchasing, inventory management, or ERP systems
- Basic understanding of inventory forecasting, replenishment, & cost analysis
- Exposure to vendor management, pricing analysis, or product sourcing
- Knowledge of food safety, product quality standards, & food handling requirements
- Experience in foodservice, wholesale distribution, retail, or another high-volume environment
Compensation & Benefits
- Competitive salary commensurate with experience
- Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance Coverage
- 401(k) Retirement Plan with Employer Match
- Paid Time Off (PTO) in accordance with company policy
- Six (6) Paid Company Holidays
- Tuition Reimbursement Program, subject to eligibility & plan guidelines
- Additional Voluntary Supplemental Benefits, which may include life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance programs, & other optional benefits
- Competitive & Comprehensive Benefits Package Designed to Support You & Your Family
For more information or immediate consideration, contact Samantha England: SEngland@JetroRD.com