<span>Purchasing Agent</span>

Mutual Trading Co. • Houston, TX

424d

About The Position

The Purchasing Agent at Mutual Trading Co., Inc. is responsible for managing all purchasing duties for food and non-food items at the Houston branch. This role involves sourcing, price negotiations, transportation logistics, and product development to ensure the company meets its business objectives while maintaining product quality and inventory levels.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Bachelor's Degree in business preferred.
• 2+ years of Food purchasing experience or training preferred.
• Demonstrates strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Possesses basic mathematical knowledge such as markups, discounts, counting inventory, weight and measurement conversions, combining, etc.
• Has strong customer service and problem-solving skills.
• Has strong communications and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrates basic Microsoft Office proficiency.
• Knowledge of ERP systems.
• Knowledge of Japanese foods/non-foods and kitchen supplies preferred.

Nice To Haves

• Other language such as Japanese, Korean, or Chinese preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manages purchasing of frozen, dry foods, and non-food items, including sourcing, price negotiations, transportation logistics, and product development.
• Analyzes and forecasts product sales volume and market demands, and creates purchase orders based on sales volume, demands, and inventory level.
• Calculates product costs and prices to determine profit margin.
• Ensures product quality by sampling and customer feedback; works with suppliers for quality assurance.
• Frequently reviews inventory for discrepancies, large volume outbound orders, slow selling items, and expired items; works with the warehouse department for resolutions.
• Develops and executes purchasing strategies to support the organization's business objectives.
• Evaluates and assures the qualities of received items are consistent with the descriptions on purchase orders.
• Attends Company events and functions outside of normal working hours.

Benefits

• All paid Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance for employees and their dependents.
• Life Insurance and 401k Plan with company match.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods
• Education Level: High school or GED