Divisional Purchasing Associate - FSD

DIVISIONAL PURCHASING ASSOSCIATE - FSD

The Divisional Purchasing Associate is responsible for purchasing, setting prices and controlling inventory. They are expected to purchase desirable products for resale. They must keep stock at a premium level for filling customer orders by monitoring and maintaining inventory min-max levels. The Divisional Purchasing Associate is required to build and sustain positive relationships with suppliers/vendors; negotiate for the best quality, prices and most lucrative contracts. They must also forecast and capitalize on market trends; seek and introduce potential revenue generating products; as well as discontinue products found to be of poor quality, overly redundant and/or have become poor performers.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Regular monitoring of divisional sales performance. Reviewing daily the SSRS and GP to analyze the items purchased and sold. Maintaining the GP list pricing to the agreed schedule.
• Recommending shipping companies, freight consolidators, and negotiate freight rates.
• Negotiating purchases for the company's inventory at the best prices, quality, volumes and quantities. Ensuring that the quoted price is invoiced. Purchasing products from principals' at the most competitive price levels possible; i.e.: negotiating costs, discounts, sheltered income etc. Maintaining accuracy of inventory data master file (i.e.: quantity, description, pack, size, unit, FOB, cost, price, etc.) - informing the appropriate personnel of errors needing correction.
• Maintaining a 100% fill rate with the least amount of stock necessary to carry in inventory. Purchasing in order to make good use of working capital and facilities by increasing inventory turnover (just in time stocking) and avoiding being overstocked (i.e.: key performance indicators are gross margin as a percentage of sales; slow moving stock (no movement in 2 mths), dead stock (no movement in 3 mths) and dumped stock).
• Reviewing and actioning the "PO Re-orderable No" process. Using AIR and SSRS reports to effectively prepare GP prior to placing PO's, and then generating suggested PO's.
• Liaising and coordinating with other departments for the purpose of resolving issues, increasing product knowledge and increasing sales.
• Working in conjunction with the Sales Manager to facilitate vendor visits and to ensure they are beneficial for all stakeholders.
• Advising the Sales Department of new products and lines for consideration. (New products for inventory must be approved by both the Sales Manager and the General Manager.)
• Facilitating the sampling of new products in order to introduce them and get feedback from the Sales and Customer Service Departments. Organizing/overseeing the distribution of samples for the purpose of sales.
• Facilitating the re-introduction of current stock items that are lagging in sales to the Sales and Customer Service Departments; with the intension of identifying new opportunities for sales or deciding to discontinue the products.

Requirements:

• At least 2 years work experience as a Foodservice Purchasing Associate or in a similar procurement related position.
• Must possess a valid passport.
• Self starter - works under his/her own initiative with little supervision.Strong math and computer skills in Microsoft Excel, Word, Great Plains and other company software
• Strong organizing and prioritizing skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to relate to diverse groups of people.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Good listening skills, and problem solving skills.
• Must be adaptable to changing work demands and environments.
• Strong negotiation skills, and able to make sound decisions.
• Must be analytical and detail oriented
• Must possess high standards