Buyer

Buyer

The Buyer at Katzman Produce is responsible for the procurement and management of product within their designated category or department. This position requires a deep understanding of produce markets, logistics, pricing trends, customer needs, and vendor relationships. The Buyer plays a key role in ensuring consistent product availability, maintaining profitability, and supporting the Sales team through strategic sourcing and real-time communication. This is a highly collaborative role that serves as a critical link between shippers, vendors, the warehouse, and the Sales team. The Buyer is expected to act as a leader within the department, guiding buyer assistants, coordinating with warehouse teams, and maintaining a keen eye on inventory and market movement.

Key Responsibilities

• Procurement & Market Analysis
• Monitor and evaluate market trends, pricing fluctuations, seasonality, and growing regions to inform daily purchasing decisions.
• Maintain strong knowledge of all aspects of the assigned product category, including origin, seasonality, quality specs, and pricing history.
• Source product strategically to maximize profitability while balancing factors such as freight, availability, quality, and timing.
• Monitor current and forecasted weather conditions and assess their impact at the growing point, in transit, and at the destination (including Hunts Point Market).
• Inventory & Logistics Management
• Maintain targeted inventory levels by overseeing inbound product timelines and collaborating with logistics personnel.
• Ensure continuous product flow to meet customer demand and support sales team needs.
• Walk the warehouse regularly and collaborate with salespeople and warehouse supervisors to maintain real-time awareness of on-hand inventory.
• Provide pricing, documentation, and timelines to support claims and invoice accuracy within 35 days of product receipt.
• Review and submit purchase orders for processing within 1421 days of product receipt; ensure Buyer Assistants are tracking and updating purchase order statuses accordingly.
• Vendor & Shipper Relationship Management
• Develop, manage, and grow strong relationships with shippers and vendors to ensure reliable sourcing and collaborative partnerships.
• Serve as the face of Katzman Produce in all vendor and shipper interactions, both on-site and off-site.
• Set clear expectations with vendors regarding pricing, product quality, shipping timelines, and billing practices.
• Sales Team Partnership
• Act as a strategic partner to the Sales team by:
• Providing current product costs, market insights, and vendor/grower expectations.
• Supporting daily sales goals through inventory management and price guidance.
• Monitoring daily sales reports to course-correct underperforming items or mispriced products.
• Supporting the arrangement of promotional/Ad pricing for select customers and communicating changes accordingly.
• Team Leadership
• Serve as a leader and point of contact within the category team, overseeing Buyer Assistants and supporting department salespeople.
• Delegate clerical tasks, order maintenance, and PO tracking to Buyer Assistants while ensuring accuracy and responsiveness to shippers/vendors.
• Coach and guide team members on best practices, internal communication, and timely follow-up.

Additional Responsibilities

• Represent Katzman Produce at industry events or vendor site visits as needed.
• Coordinate with Finance and Accounts Payable on invoice discrepancies, credits, and vendor billing.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Qualifications/Requirements

• Education: High school diploma or GED required; Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Business, Supply Chain, or a related field preferred.
• Experience: Minimum 3-5 years of experience in produce procurement, wholesale buying, or supply chain operations. Experience in Hunts Point or a similar wholesale terminal market is strongly preferred.
• Industry Knowledge: Familiarity with produce categories, growing cycles, perishability standards, and market conditions required.

Skills & Competencies:

• Strong analytical and negotiation skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, inventory systems, and ERP platforms.
• Ability to assess product quality and make quick, informed decisions.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for vendor interaction and internal collaboration.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-pressure, and deadline-driven environment.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be comfortable walking warehouse floors and inspecting perishable products.
• Occasional travel for vendor site visits or industry events.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including early mornings or weekends during peak seasons.

Pay: The expected salary range for this position is $120,000 to $140,000 annually. Final compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors.