Prepared Foods Order Writer (Deli / Culinary - Buyer / Inventory Replenishment)

Whole Foods - Lake Norman of Catawba, NC

Full-time - Entry Level

Lake Norman of Catawba, NC

10,001+ employees

Food and Beverage Retailers

About the position

The Prepared Foods Order Writer at Whole Foods Market is responsible for ordering, replenishing, and merchandising prepared foods products while ensuring adherence to company standards and health regulations. This role involves monitoring inventory control, participating in promotional activities, and providing excellent customer service. The position requires collaboration with kitchen staff and vendors to maintain product quality and profitability.

Responsibilities

• Purchases and replenishes food for preparation through proper buying procedures.
• Monitors and acts upon open PO reports for both purchases and credits in an accurate and timely manner.
• Controls spoilage and shrink, achieves turn goals, participates in inventory.
• Completes spoilage, sampling, temperature, and sweep worksheets as required.
• Assists with counter service and cooks as scheduled or as necessary.
• Communicates with Kitchen Manager / Chef and Team Leader on ordering needs and issues.
• Maintains positive working relationship with vendors.
• Works with Team Leader or Assistant Team Leader(s) to cost recipes.
• Oversees customer special order procedure.
• Supports leadership in conducting inventories.
• Maintains financial profitability by meeting and exceeding purchasing and sales targets.
• Arrives to work station on time, appropriately groomed, dressed and ready to work; works all scheduled shifts and attends required trainings and meetings.
• Provides excellent customer service, addresses needs of customers in a timely and effective manner and models suggestive selling techniques; answers phones and pages promptly and courteously.
• Maximizes sales potential through effective and proper procedures for prepping, storing, rotating, stocking, and merchandising product.
• Follows and complies, or ensures compliance, with established procedures, including Weights and Measures, health and sanitation, and safe work practices.
• Maintains, or ensures maintenance of, a clean and sanitary working and shopping environment; maintains equipment in accordance with WFM cleanliness and safety standards.
• Performs opening, mid, and closing duties as assigned; ensures accuracy of signs and pricing.
• Immediately reports safety hazards and violations.

Requirements

• 1+ years of Buying/Merchandising experience.
• Extensive product knowledge, including production, distribution, seasonal availability, advances, and trends.
• Ability to create and negotiate price bids.
• Familiarity and/or willingness to learn about products, nutritional information, and other areas of study.
• Working knowledge and application of all Prepared Foods merchandising expectations.
• Complete understanding of WFM margin program and profitability.
• Ability to educate team on product knowledge and convey enthusiasm.
• Strong basic math skills.
• Knowledge and ability to use computer programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and ordering systems.
• Strong to excellent communication skills and willingness to work as part of a team.
• Ability to deliver information in a clear and respectable manner to fellow Team Members, customers, and vendors.
• Ability to meet customer service expectations and standards in all interactions with customers, vendors, and Team Members.
• Ability to follow directions and procedures; effective time management and organization skills.
• Passion for natural foods and the mission of Whole Foods Market.
• Strong work ethic and ability to work in a fast-paced environment with a sense of urgency.
• Understanding of and compliance with WFM quality goals.