Retail Buyer & Purchasing Manager
Organic Warehouse | Surrey, BC
Full-Time | In-Person
Organic Warehouse is looking for an experienced Retail Buyer & Purchasing Manager to take ownership of product purchasing, vendor relationships, inventory replenishment, and new product sourcing for our growing retail store.
This is not an entry-level position. We are looking for someone with direct experience in retail buying, purchasing, category management, or vendor management, ideally within grocery, natural health, wellness, beauty, or consumer packaged goods.
The Role
You will be responsible for ensuring Organic Warehouse has the right products, at the right quantities, at the right costs, while continuously identifying new brands and products that fit our store and customers.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Manage regular ordering and replenishment across store departments
- Review inventory levels, sales performance, and product movement to determine purchasing needs
- Identify and source new, emerging, and high-potential products and brands
- Evaluate new products based on customer demand, margins, pricing, ingredients, brand positioning, and sales potential
- Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, distributors, and brand representatives
- Negotiate wholesale pricing, introductory deals, promotional discounts, free fills, samples, testers, payment terms, and other vendor support
- Review supplier price lists, promotions, minimum order quantities, case sizes, and purchasing terms
- Negotiate strategically to improve store margins and purchasing costs
- Identify slow-moving products and make recommendations regarding reordering, promotions, or discontinuation
- Monitor industry and consumer trends to keep our product assortment current and competitive
- Attend relevant trade shows, vendor meetings, and product presentations when required
- Coordinate with management and store staff regarding inventory needs and customer requests
- Maintain organized purchasing records and follow up on outstanding orders, credits, shortages, and vendor issues
- Help develop a thoughtful product assortment that aligns with the Organic Warehouse brand
Who We Are Looking For
Required:
- Previous professional experience in retail buying, purchasing, procurement, category management, or a closely related role
- Experience communicating and negotiating directly with suppliers, distributors, or brand representatives
- Strong understanding of wholesale pricing, retail margins, promotions, and purchasing terms
- Ability to analyze sales and inventory information and make purchasing decisions accordingly
- Strong negotiation and relationship-management skills
- Highly organized and able to manage a large number of vendors, products, and purchase orders
- Confident researching and recommending new products rather than simply placing replenishment orders
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Comfortable working independently and taking ownership of purchasing decisions
Strongly Preferred:
- Buying or purchasing experience within grocery, natural foods, health & wellness, supplements, beauty, or CPG
- Existing knowledge of Canadian distributors, brokers, and consumer brands
- Experience attending trade shows and sourcing new brands
- Experience working with a retail POS/inventory management system
- Understanding of inventory turnover, sell-through, margins, and category performance
Please Note
We are specifically seeking candidates with relevant purchasing/buying experience. General retail, cashier, sales associate, or customer service experience alone does not meet the requirements for this position.
When applying, please include a resume that clearly outlines your previous purchasing, buying, procurement, category management, or vendor negotiation experience.
About Organic Warehouse
Organic Warehouse is an independent health and wellness-focused retailer offering a curated selection of organic grocery, natural health, wellness, beauty, and lifestyle products. We are continuing to grow our assortment and are looking for someone who can bring strong purchasing experience, commercial judgment, and an eye for exciting new products to our team.
Pay: $19.00-$35.00 per hour
Expected hours: 20.0 – 40.0 per week
Benefits:
- Discounted or free food
- Flexible schedule
- On-site parking
- Store discount
Application question(s):
- How many years of retail buying/purchasing experience do you have?
- Please briefly describe a deal you negotiated with a supplier and the outcome.
Work Location: In person
