Senior Buyer - Wholesale Food Distribution
Chicago, IL-email resumes to info@cowminc .com
Chicago Oriental Wholesale Market (COWM, Inc.) offers a full-line of food and food-industry related products to restaurants, retail grocers and food service operators in the United States. Founded in 1993 as a provider for Asian goods, Chicago Oriental is now a leading importer and distributor across all food categories in the Midwest. In addition to servicing the food industry in the Tri-State area, its products can now be found in many states across the nation as well as Canada.
Overview:
The Senior Buyer will be responsible for maintaining relationships with current, as well as, seeking out new suppliers. In addition, this person will negotiate price and quantity terms, and establish long-term contracts to ensure efficient supply of high quality products for foodservice distribution at competitive prices. They will also maintain established service levels of product in-stock, and assists with special order requests. Serves as a key member of the management team.
Key Responsibilities:
● Select vendors based upon their ability to provide continuous supply of product; overall service level; responsiveness to the market as shown through product innovation; quality and value of product; relationships with competitors; and their understanding of the marketplace.
● Maintain relationships with vendors by resolving problems with invoicing, product, or delivery to ensure quality of service and longevity of relationships.
● Select product based upon application to our market, product performance, alternate sources of supply, and overall reputation of vendor.
● Negotiate prices and quantities ordered based upon customer orders, economic order point (volume discount vs. efficient utilization of warehousing space), promotion of product, and overall market conditions. Negotiate long-term contracts based upon same considerations and need for continuous supply.
● Provides product and pricing information to sales force and make recommendations regarding pricing structure for product lines based upon value and margin considerations.
● Maintain awareness of market trends, technology and food safety.
● Minimize shrinkage/spoilage of perishable products.
● Ensures that product recalls are completed.
● Performs other related duties as assigned.
Requirements:
● Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Fluency required: Cantonese, Mandarin, English
● High School diploma or equivalent required. Bachelor’s degree (BA) in Business, Supply Chain or related field preferred.
● 3+ years of purchasing (perishable and non-perishable- paper, disposable, chemicals, etc.) experience within the foodservice industry.
● Strong negotiation skills. Ability to prioritize and handle multiple projects/tasks in a fast pace, changing environment.
Chicago Oriental Wholesale Market, Inc is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to a policy against discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, the presence of mental, physical, or sensory disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other basis prohibited by federal or state law.
