Area Buyer (Rosemont, IL) Hybrid Role: Mix of Onsite & Virtual

US Foods Holding - Rosemont, IL

Full-time

Hybrid - Rosemont, IL

Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods

About the position

The Area Buyer position at US Foods, Inc. in Rosemont, IL, is a hybrid role that combines both onsite and virtual work. This full-time position is integral to the Replenishment function, focusing on daily replenishment duties and key performance indicator (KPI) monitoring. The Area Buyer will drive the core replenishment buying work, ensuring that essential functions are fulfilled effectively. The role involves delivering on KPIs specific to desk goals, such as Service Level, Days-Inventory-On-Hand (DIOH), Excess and Obsolete inventory (E&O), and Spoilage. In this role, the Area Buyer will be responsible for preparing purchase orders (POs) by analyzing economic order quantities, forecasts, lead times, vendor setups, and safety stock. The position requires independent judgment to create efficient purchase orders with suppliers. The Area Buyer will also execute forward-buy opportunities to achieve profitability based on targeted goals, controlling decision rights on PO execution and timing to balance KPIs with business needs. Inventory monitoring is a critical aspect of this role, as the Area Buyer will proactively review projected out-of-stock reports daily and make purchasing decisions to ensure customer order fulfillment. The position also involves routine monitoring of inventory health reports and establishing communication with internal partners regarding supplier production delays or order shortages. The Area Buyer will coordinate cross-functionally to manage and improve key drivers of company performance, collaborating with internal and external partners to optimize inventory levels and minimize spoilage. Additionally, the Area Buyer will participate in a team of 3-10 talented Buyers, driving continuous improvement within the team by sharing challenges and operational learnings. This role requires clear communication channels to ensure smooth coordination between Replenishment Operations and cross-functional partners, contributing to a strong culture of customer service orientation and collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Drive the core replenishment buying work and ensure key functions are being 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, vendor set-up, safety stock, etc., to create efficient purchase orders with suppliers.
• Execute forward-buy opportunities to achieve profitability based on targeted goals.
• Control decision rights on PO execution and timing to ensure KPIs are balanced with business needs.
• Proactively review projected out of stock reports daily and make purchasing decisions to ensure customer order fulfillment.
• Monitor crucial inventory health reports and escalate with suggested actions as needed.
• Establish communication with internal partners on supplier production delays or order shortages, pursuing recovery options with urgency.
• Coordinate cross-functionally to manage and improve key drivers of company performance.
• Collaborate with internal and external business partners to reduce overstock, slow-moving and obsolete inventory, and initiate product returns where applicable.
• Utilize understanding of product shelf life and manufacturing dates to prevent spoilage for specific buying categories.
• Communicate closely with cross-functional partners to capture seasonal trends and drive profitability with accurate costs.
• Partner with product/category management team to maintain supplier relationships and proper accountability.
• Cooperate with Logistics and Replenishment Excellence teams to identify and achieve freight consolidation.
• Evaluate inbound volume and purchase history to collaborate with warehouse operations on efficient receiving practices.
• Participate on 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, sales, field partners, and other business contacts via telephone, email, and video conferencing.
• General understanding of logistics and connection in support of an efficient distribution model.
• Ability to deal with high pressure situations to meet daily/weekly timelines with a high sense of urgency.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and ability to quickly learn new technologies, with SCPO experience heavily preferred.
• Four-year degree is highly preferred; equivalent work experience and applicable certifications may be considered.

Nice-to-haves

• Minimum 3 years purchasing experience preferred, with food service experience a plus.