Are you passionate about organic and natural food?
Is respect for others something you value above all else?
Do you want to be a part of a company that aims for excellence?
Purity life – Grocery Division is Canada’s leading distributor of organic and natural products. At Purity Life we believe natural health products make a difference in peoples’ lives. Our vision is to be Canada’s most valued natural health products distributor.
Our values are based on providing a safe workplace for our employees and conducting business based on COMMIT – collaboration, operational excellence, mutual respect, making a difference, integrity and transparency. We also believe that a strong sense of urgency is critical to serving our customers and achieving excellence. We have developed our industry through outstanding innovation and a commitment to operational excellence. Purity has a job opportunity for a full-time Buyer – Grocery Division working out of our office in Burnaby.
SUMMARY:
The main mission of a Buyer is to maintain high service levels while keeping just the right amount of inventory on-hand. This is achieved by having a good understanding of replenishment purchasing, along with the principles of inventory control, and having an aptitude to learn our systems and procedures. A major portion of time will be spent working independently with Excel spreadsheets and the ERP computer system, to determine the most appropriate order quantity, then communicating with vendor partners to ensure the stock arrives on time and as expected.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
A. Inventory:
- Maintain optimal inventory levels, based on item type (Dry, Cooler, Frozen), sales, shelf-life, minimum order quantity, cost of freight, and avoid or minimize excess stock
- Create purchase orders in the ERP system
- Achieve high service level fill rates while maintaining appropriate levels of inventory using the resources, tools, and reports available
- Pay special attention to and ensure high fill-rates on Key Brands
- Minimize shortages and maintain accurate out-of-stock reasons in the ERP system
- Identify excess stock and collaborate with Sales and Marketing to help sell the stock before the shelf-life guarantee to customers is reached
- Identify stock that needs to be donated or discarded/destroyed and process accordingly
- Support business growth or decline and any changes in listings (line extensions, new brands, discontinued items)
B. Costing:
- Maintain accurate costing (Buyer’s Costing Sheet comprising of item details such as vendor pricing, discounts, landed costs, and exchange rates)
- Ensure Freight costing is accurate and set appropriately, monitor and adjust as required
- Process price changes when applicable (following price change SOP)
C. Data Entry and Analysis:
- Meet deadlines for various Purchasing input requirements (costing sheets, price changes, Out of Stock ETA reports, suggested sell sheets, monthly specials, new products, monthly sku upload)
- Forecast demand and determine best ordering strategy
- Maintain updated portfolio management notes on how to manage each vendor/brand within your portfolio including any Buyer-specific responsibilities
D. Promotional Activities and Communication:
- Support promotional activities such as: key accounts monthly planners (review to ensure extra stock (if required) is purchased in time and will be on-hand to support the expected increased demand, sell sheets (suggest items suitable for sell sheet promotion in collaboration with vendors/brokers/marketing and determine appropriate date periods for buy-in and ship-out), monthly specials and show specials (ensure files contain complete and accurate promotion details)
- Ensure prompt, clear and positive communication to both internal and external customers, especially if there are problems, as others depend on buyers’ information to support and execute their work (i.e., stock availability, out of stock items, product delays, item changes, etc.)
E. Maintain positive relations with vendors and brokers
- Connect with vendors and brokers to review and discuss supply chain issues, performance, opportunities/suggestions for improvement
F. Day-to-Day Problem Solving
- Ensure timely resolution of supply issues and shipment discrepancies (working closely with receiving as necessary (such as quantity discrepancies, damage, and product temperature issues)
- Contact vendors and/or brokers to obtain required shipping documentation to ensure there are no transit/delivery delays (i.e., CUSMA, CCI, Import Declaration, Commercial Invoice, packing slip, etc.)
- Resolve invoice discrepancies with vendors/brokers/carriers in conjunction with Purity Life accounting
- Resolve any on-hand/ERP stock quantity issues working with the warehouse and accounting as necessary
G. Other:
- Proactively prepare for any time away from work, so that all vendors and brands within your portfolio will remain in good standing while away and all responsibilities are covered
- For any product quality, CFIA, or recall issues, work with the Quality team and follow the Recall/Product Withdrawal SOP as directed
- Duties and tasks or projects as assigned by the Purchasing Manager
JOB SPECIFICATIONS:
- Familiarity with ‘replenishment’ purchasing duties, and an understanding of inventory control and purchasing principles
- Minimum 1-2 years purchasing experience, preferably in food distribution. Experience working with cooler and freezer products will be an asset
- Strong communication and organizational skills
- An aptitude for numbers and details, with analytical and problem-solving capabilities required
- Proven ability with computers (ERP system, strong Excel, Outlook)
- Ability to work under pressure and with time constraints/deadlines
- Some experience coordinating freight is an advantage
- Knowledge of natural foods/products or the natural foods/products industry is desirable
- Education: Purchasing/Inventory Management/Supply Chain diploma (or equivalent courses or education)
The expected salary range for this position is $57, 907 to $70, 283. It is an in-office position, with a schedule of Monday to Friday, office hours.
