Area Buyer, Albany, NY (Hybrid Role: Mix of Onsite & Virtual)

$54,900 - $75,000/Yr

US Foods Holding

Full-time - Entry Level

10,001+ employees

Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods

About the position

The Area Buyer role is part of the Replenishment Buying organization, focusing on managing inventory levels for assigned items and suppliers while ensuring service level targets are met. This hybrid position involves both onsite and virtual work, primarily based in Albany, NY. The Area Buyer will engage in high-value buying actions, including purchase order management, inventory monitoring, and KPI reporting, while serving as the primary point of contact for vendor purchase orders within the area.

Responsibilities

• Drive daily replenishment duties and KPI monitoring to ensure key functions are fulfilled.
• Deliver on KPIs for desk-specific goals such as Service Level, Days-Inventory-On-Hand (DIOH), Excess and Obsolete inventory (E&O), and Spoilage.
• Analyze economic order quantities, forecasts, lead times, and vendor set-up to create efficient purchase orders with suppliers.
• Execute forward-buy opportunities to achieve profitability based on targeted goals, ensuring KPIs are balanced with business needs.
• Proactively review projected out of stock reports and make purchasing decisions to ensure customer order fulfillment.
• Monitor inventory health reports and escalate issues with suggested actions as needed.
• Establish communication with internal partners regarding supplier production delays or order shortages and pursue recovery options.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to reduce overstock, slow-moving, and obsolete inventory, and initiate product returns where applicable.
• Utilize understanding of product shelf life to prevent spoilage in specific buying categories.
• Communicate seasonal trends and events to drive profitability with accurate costs.
• Partner with product/category management to maintain supplier relationships and accountability.
• Cooperate with Logistics and Replenishment Excellence teams to achieve freight consolidation and maximize net income.
• Evaluate inbound volume and purchase history to collaborate with warehouse operations on efficient receiving practices.
• Participate in a team of Buyers to drive continuous improvement and share operational learnings.

Requirements

• 1+ years of direct inventory management/supply chain experience required.
• Superior oral and written communication skills along with strong analytical skills.
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally with suppliers and business contacts via various communication methods.
• General understanding of logistics to support an efficient distribution model.
• Ability to handle high-pressure situations to meet timelines with urgency.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to quickly learn new technologies, with SCPO experience preferred.

Nice-to-haves

• Minimum 3 years purchasing experience preferred, with food service experience a plus.
• Four-year degree is highly preferred, with equivalent work experience and applicable certifications considered.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Pre-tax spending accounts
• Retirement benefits
• Paid time off
• Short-term and long-term disability
• Employee stock purchase plan
• Life insurance