Procurement Manager

Charlie’s Produce - Who We Are

Charlie's Produce is a privately owned wholesale produce company. We are the largest privately owned produce wholesaler on the West Coast, and we are growing. The secret to our success in this industry is PEOPLE! We strive to hire the best and we reward them with a working environment that fosters loyalty, stability, innovation, and growth. Charlie’s was founded in quality, and we are proud that it is still our focus.

With a team of dedicated people who are passionate about food, supply chain, and their community we are looking for like minded individuals to help further our goal to enhance our communities through quality produce.

What we offer:

• An amazing company culture!
• Medical/Dental/Vision on the first of the month following hire.
• ESOP (Profit Sharing) and 401(k).
• Paid vacations, paid holidays and paid sick days.
• 100% Prepaid College Tuition for employees and their dependents.
• Employee assistance program (EAP).

Additional Compensation Details:

• $110K-130K annually Dependent on Experience and Location of Role
• Potential 90-day performance-based raise
• Yearly review with possibility of increase based on performance and tenure

The Role

We are seeking an individual who possesses a genuine passion for sourcing the finest produce, cultivating mutually advantageous partnerships with growers, and actively contributing to the creation of value for both our customers and the organization. This role securesthe right product, at the right price, from the right source, at the right time to achieve the sales and financial goals of assigned categories and enable the Company to achieve budget. This includes product order accuracy, stock levels, and management of product line. Coordinating procurement & inventory activities with other buyers in other divisions to ensure a well-coordinated product line program offered to customers.  Must be highly flexible to service needs and have an ability to work in a fast pace, closely configured work environment.Reporting to the Regional Procurement Manager, this team member will collaborate with fellow buyers to achieve budget.

Essential Responsibilities Include, but Not Limited To

• Directly supervise and mentor purchasing personnel
• Oversight of department performance metrics to include margins, inventory, category management and shrinkage/spoilage.
• Support established logistical procedures to facilitate product arrival
• Oversight of negotiated rebates, slotting fees and payment terms
• Continually identify and determine optimum sources of supply
• Manage service levels and inventory of assigned categories
• Make purchase decisions and manage process for order fulfillment
• Be responsible for procuring designated quality and quantity
• Maintain Minimize shrinkage/spoilage of fresh fruits and vegetables
• Manage marketing/promotional funds, rebates, slotting fees and payment terms.
• Negotiate revised billing resulting from USDA inspection reports when applicable
• Ensure that product recalls are completed
• Support established logistical procedures to facilitate product arrival
• Monitor and report items/categories/business trends within assigned categories
• Maintain awareness of market trends, technology and food safety
• Participate in plant/QA tours
• Communicate effectively to divisions management and/or staff
• Monitor and report items/categories/business trends
• Maintain awareness of market trends, technology and food safety

• Some travel required: visiting growers & attending produce conventions.

• All employees are responsible for ensuring food safety and must promptly report any compromises to food safety or quality to the appropriate manager, supervisor, or key personnel.

Peripheral Duties: Projects and tasks as assigned by the Regional Procurement Manager.

Desired Minimum Qualifications:

• 2-5 years of people management experience
• Minimum of 5 years of perishable food procurement experience, with a proven track record in expediting and handling administrative tasks associated with fresh produce procurement.
• Strong purchasing knowledge in the procurement of raw materials, ingredients and food packaging supplies.
• Strong Math & Writing skills required to quickly multiply & add cases/pallets & calculate product cost, market, & margin.
• Candidate should possess excellent verbal and written communication skills with computer competency, including Excel, Word, & Outlook.
• Effective interpersonal skills to communicate with direct reports, vendors and peers.
• Must have sensory capabilities to avoid accidents as warehouse environment involves fast moving forklift and power jack equipment.
• In-depth knowledge of fresh produce commodities and related non-produce product lines.

• Educational requirement: High School diploma.

• Demonstrated proficiency in negotiation techniques.

• Background in inventory management, including forecasting and planning.

• Exceptional teamwork skills with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced work environment and a willingness to support all team members within the department.

• Excellent ability to manage multiple tasks and the capacity to excel under pressure in day-to-day operations.

• Effective prioritization skills, deadline management, and the ability to achieve team goals with flexibility in workdays and hours.

• Highly effective interpersonal skills for communication with employees, vendors, customers, and colleagues.

Hear from Charlie's employees

Supplemental Information

This employer participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration and if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

Please note that the pay range provided is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Actual compensation will be dependent on factors, including but not limited to, the individual’s qualifications, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as physical work location within the state.

For additional protected privacy information please visit: Privacy Policy | Charlie's Produce (charliesproduce.com) 

Charlie's Produce is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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