The Grocery Buyer is responsible for ordering and stocking products, monitoring inventory levels, and helping manage pricing and margins. This role works closely with vendors and the grocery team to maintain product availability and meet customer needs. You’ll be part of a welcoming cooperative environment where teamwork, community, and great customer service are at the heart of what we do.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Customer Service
- Maintains familiarity with all areas of the store to best assist customers and staff.
- Upholds the Code of Conduct.
- Always use S.E.T. (Smile, Engage and Thank You) in all customer interactions.
- Familiar with the Co-op mission, Ends, and policies to answer customer questions. Refer unresolved questions or problems to appropriate staff.
Leadership Responsibilities
- Models supportive and participative leadership; promotes empowerment.
- Ensures staff are receiving ongoing training within the department.
- Takes disciplinary action as needed following established policy – including documentation in Paychex.
- Conducts performance evaluations as required. Recommend pay increases within the department budget and Co-op pay scale.
- Adheres to the Code of Conduct.
- Assists with the growth of the Co-op, and quality improvement processes.
- Participates in budget development with the GM and Finance Manager for the Grocery department, including setting sales and margin goals.
- Reviews financial reports of department performance with the Grocery Manager. Sets goals and takes corrective action as needed.
- Organizes and conducts regular department meetings, utilizing input for best practice standards.
- Assists in the training, evaluation, and recognition of qualified department candidates.
- Maintains flexible hours working alongside all team members on a regular basis.
- Cross trained and understands all aspects of Grocery Assistant Manager, Grocery Lead, Grocery Stocker, and Front End Cashier roles as well as a basic understanding of Fresh Stocker roles.
- Recognize co-workers when they perform exceptional work.
- Attends trade shows, conferences, and workshops as assigned.
- Performs other tasks assigned by the Grocery Manager.
Purchasing
- Ensure an appropriate product mix is secured and sufficient stock levels are maintained for optimal sales and minimal out of stocks.
- Negotiate with suppliers for favorable prices, terms, quality, and delivery.
- Ensure credit from suppliers for damaged, returned, and spoiled goods by reconciling the purchase journals and pursuing any missed credits.
- Ensure routine date walks and a well-maintained list of soon to expire product.
- Ensure shrink logs are maintained.
- Ensure procedures are followed for department special orders and special order billing.
- Train and oversee department staff in correct handling of invoices and customer special orders.
- Fully understand all Oneota programs, including Double Up Food Bucks, Round Up at the Register, Owner Appreciation sales, Co+op Deals, Co+op Basics, and Oneota Sales.
- Seek out product that is local and/or organic first, only if necessary, utilize the larger conventional market. Always conscious of the Merchandising policy, Core Sets, Co+op Basics, and Co+op Deals programs.
- Ensure accurate, up-to-date PLU’s. Enter new products and price changes promptly and accurately into POS.
- Know how to interpret necessary information about merchandise reports, profit margins, shrink, and sales data.
- Monitor category budgets and metrics to ensure growth and profitability.
- Understand record keeping in the POS.
Merchandising
- Plan attractive displays of products in Center Store departments and in collaboration with other departments as needed.
- Create promotional calendars in coordination with the Grocery Manager to plan merchandising, special events, and sampling.
- Ensure displays are replenished and rotated properly.
- Ensure clear, attractive, and consistent signage.
- Set preparation and stocking priorities for staff.
- Ensure needed product resets for the department are planned and implemented. Help with physical resets as needed.
- Ensure the proper handling of perishable foods in the department to ensure maximum product quality, flavor, freshness, and food safety. Train staff and ensure that items are handled specific to their need. Maintain proper refrigeration and freezer temperatures.
- Visit other stores for price comparisons, product, and merchandising ideas.
Department Maintenance
- Maintain display, prep, and storage areas in clean, orderly condition, meeting the health department standards.
- Keep all departmental SOPs, policies and procedures updated. Review and update as needed.
- Ensure that all departmental staff are trained on and following all existing, new or updated grocery policies, SOPs, and procedures.
- Develop and maintain departmental training systems. Including record keeping of such.
- Participate in quarterly inventory counts.
- Maintain department equipment in working order. Advise the General Manager of equipment repair or replacement needs.
Receiving
- Ensure the receiving bay and department back stock areas are maintained to maximize product life and efficiencies in stocking.
- Work with other managers/buyers to coordinate receiving times and procedures to ensure a whole-store approach to receiving.
- Educate department staff on pallet jack safety and become a certified Forklift driver. Once certified as a forklift driver, may serve as the trainer of staff to become certified.
