Swanson Meats Inc Hiring for Senior Buyer/Category Manager *Proteins* Full Time

JOB SUMMARY

Candidates must have relevant buying experience (preferably beef, at a minimum another protein, to be considered for this position. This position is responsible for procurement functions associated with the company’s product inventory needs in our beef category. Items are required to be purchased within company cost and quality parameters and delivered at competitive levels consistent with company policy and performance standards. Timely scheduling of pick up and receipt of products. Interacting with suppliers. Interacting with the sales team. Handling of key suppliers and brands. Attending intercompany department meetings. Assisting with department training. Purchasing or buying of Beef/Protein.

• Monday – Friday schedule

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Purchase from suppliers, negotiate prices/quantities and establishing a strong working

relationship to ensure adequate supply of high quality products at competitive prices.

2. Maintain adequate inventory levels to ensure superior service to customers and sales

team. Assist with special order requests and the on-boarding of new products/suppliers.

3. Interact and communicate with sales team, customers and vendors in a timely and

informative manner on market conditions, delivery schedules and product information.

4. Inform, educate and assist sales team, customers and team members to help them achieve

a greater depth of knowledge. Assist with training and on-boarding of new team members.

5. Contribute to and help build a positive environment within the organization with a focus

on continuous growth, improvement and outstanding customer and sales service.

6. Assist with and lead/organize sales meetings featuring our suppliers and products.

7. Optimize inbound freight efficiencies while looking for ways to decrease our freight costs.

8. Manage categories and inventory levels to prevent spoilage/loss. Be proactive with aging

inventory and communicate with management/sales when you need help moving product.

9. Functions as a key team member within the department and organization, as required,

and performs any duty assigned to best serve the company. Strong ability to multi-task.

10. Work towards increasing gross profit margins while maintaining a competitive cost basis

through negotiation and relationship development. Manage vendor & product bill backs.

11. Manage product categories including costing, item set-up, vendor product maintenance.

Specific Responsibilities including but not limited to:

-Utilize purchasing program, improve fill rates, increase product turns, reduce aged

inventory, find creative ways to move frozen product and managing costs including price

increases/decreases, market changes and freight costs

-Identifying purchasing and sales team needs, research and onboard new suppliers if needed

-Securing products through networking and relationship building

-Maintain list of current suppliers and their information

-Update Vendor Information

-Eventually Onboarding & Set-up Vendors

-Contact numbers and emails

-Specific Vendor notes

-Maintain product categories

-Product Descriptions

-Set up New Items

-Pricing

-Product Spec Sheets

-Upload into Canopy (ERP)

-Customer usages and volumes

-Call/visit suppliers

-Identify, document, and pursue opportunities for new business opportunities

-Maintain effective communications with sales team and management to ensure efforts

are in line with overall company strategy and goals. Participate in meetings and reviews

to identify successes and opportunities and related plans for continued growth.

-First point of contact for our sales team for general product inquiries and information

-Schedule and execute regular calls with sales team to ensure our team and customers are

being provided with market and products updates, buying opportunities, and information.

-Work with sales team on price quotes and locked pricing as needed with all efforts aimed

at growing business and with the company’s best interest in mind

-Diligent and consistent maintenance of pricing, product descriptions, and supplier

information to ensure optimal product sales and margins

-Respond to and resolve sales team and customer inquiries and concerns in a timely and

professional manner

-Meet and or exceed performance goals: category gross profit margins, and other benchmarks

-Analyze data and s, identifying changes in sales or seasonal volume changes.

-React accordingly to make smart and strategic purchasing decisions.

-Analyze sales data, lead times and adjust how products are purchased to provide lower

costs to raise the efficiency of receiving and product turns

-Be in constant communication with production managers to ensure you have the

appropriate stock on hand for produced and value-added products.

-Decrease aged/obsolete inventory, securing discounts from vendors when possible, to

reduce costs of goods and clear slots. Negotiate product returns and write offs.

-Be a vital team player who is willing to take on additional responsibilities and tasks

outside of purchasing to help push projects forward to achieve company goals.

-Complete assigned special projects and collaborate with other departments as needed.

-Bring fresh new ideas to the table on how we can improve as a company.

Qualifications:

-Minimum of 2-3 years of experience in procurement, replenishment, category

and inventory management

-Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong business relationships

-Self-motivated with a driven personality and an outstanding work ethic

-Ability to work for extended periods of time without supervision

-Ability to build rapport with sales team and co-workers

-Strong negotiation skills

-Strong time management skills

-Strong problem-solving skills

-Excellent oral and written communication skills

-Proficient in Microsoft Office, Excel, and Word

-Deadline and detail-oriented

-Able to set and achieve personal and company goals

DECISION-MAKING AUTHORITY
Most important decisions made fully independently:

• Daily procurement decisions – which items and quantities purchased daily.
• Supplier decisions – which vendor product is purchased from.
• Inventory management decisions – product movement and shelf-life management.
• Occasional price negotiations with vendors.

Most important decisions made with review and approval of other individuals or supervisors (include the reviews/approvals required):

• Accounting variances – reviewed and approved by the Supervisor
• Training session – reviewed and approved by the Supervisor.

ORGANIZATIONAL ING

Buyer/Category Managerà General Manager

BENEFITS INFORMATION:
Benefit Package Estimated Value $90,000+ (*Based on Experience)

• Annual Salary Starting at $75,000 (benefit packages can be customized, for example if health insurance is not needed, we can adjust annual salary)
• 50 Hours per week
• Company Provided Family Health Insurance ($13,728 Annual Value)
• Medical, Dental, Vision
• Monthly Meat Allowance of $100 ($1,200 Annual Value)
• Yearly Bonus Based on Job and Company performance (Typically between 2-3% of your salary)
• Yearly/Quarterly Incentives TBD
• Discounted Employee Pricing on Products
• 401K with up to a 3% company match
• Potential for Work From Home Opportunities
• Paid Vacation based on Swanson’s Management Table (below)

Prorated Vacation Table, Management

0-3 Years: 10 Days

3-5 Years: 15 Days

5-15 Years: 20 Days

15+ Years: 25 Days

HOW WE PROTECT OUR ASSOCIATES

COVID-19 Precaution(s):

• Personal protective equipment and masks provided
• Sanitizing, disinfecting, and cleaning procedures in place

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $75,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 10 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Supplemental pay types:

• Bonus pay

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Minneapolis, MN 55406: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Application Question(s):

• How many years of relevant industry buying experience to you have? Have you purchased beef?
• What makes you a good candidate for this position?

Experience:

• Category management: 2 years (Required)
• Purchasing: 2 years (Required)

Work Location: One location