Buyer, Distribution Center at Whole Foods Market in Manor, TX

Summary: Whole Foods Market is a leading retailer in the natural foods industry, and they are seeking a Buyer for their Distribution Center. The Buyer will purchase and manage merchandise, ensuring exceptional customer service and maintaining vendor relationships while maximizing margins and monitoring inventory levels.

Responsibilities:
- Maintain exceptional level of customer service to stores
- Maintain awareness of new products, research new vendors and regularly incorporate new products into overall product mix
- Ensure accuracy of cost and sell prices
- Provide correct product information to Order Management in order to print accurate pick tickets
- Authorize payment of invoices or returned merchandise
- Coordinate and expedite most cost effective transportation of purchases
- Work closely with vendors to maximize service and minimize cost on assigned products
- Select and order merchandise from showings by manufacturers and brokers
- Establish and maintain positive and productive vendor relationships
- Maximize margins through inventory management, negotiation, category management, forward buys, and price items appropriately for resale
- Stay abreast of product knowledge and industry trends by becoming familiar with customer’s attitudes, preference, and purchasing problems
- Monitor inventory levels and prepare Purchase Orders
- Inspect and grade or appraise agricultural commodities, or other merchandise to determine value and yield
- Inspect exchanged or refunded merchandise
- Participation in quarterly physical inventories
- Establish and maintain collaborative and productive working relationship with Facility Team Leader, Purchasing Director, other Directors, Team Leaders, all Team Members and, Regional Product Coordinators
- Models and cultivates effective inter-department and inter-facility communication
- Maintain and facilitate communication with department Specialists and Team Leaders at the store level regarding product movement, new items, specials, margins, credits, and discontinued items

Required Qualifications:
- Thorough knowledge of natural foods industry and Whole Foods Market quality goals
- Responsible for ensuring that all vendor organic certifications are on hand and current
- Consistently communicate and model Whole Foods Market vision and standards
- Communicate and maintain employee safety and security standards
- Knowledge of all relevant Whole Foods Market policies and standards
- Outstanding verbal and written communicator
- Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize and meet deadlines
- Ability to work well with others, self-motivated and capable of working independently with little supervision. Able to work a flexible schedule based on the needs of the Distribution Center, including nights, weekends and holidays as required
- Self-motivated with high attention to detail and thoroughness in approach with all paperwork
- Bachelor's degree or 1-2 years of experience or equivalent combination of education

Required Skills: Vendor organic certifications, Inventory management, Purchase order preparation, Cost and sell price accuracy, Vendor relationship management, Product knowledge of natural foods industry, Agricultural commodities appraisal, Category management, Data entry

Benefits: Whole Benefits offers a wide range of benefits for Full and Part-Time Team Members, Eligibility for a store discount, Paid time off, Financial wellness, Health & wellness support programs, Access to other Team Member perks, Eligibility for Whole Benefits is determined under the terms of the applicable Whole Benefits plan at a person’s date of hire and may vary based on work location, length of service, and job type (such as regular or seasonal).