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Job opening: Buyer | Part-time

(New Orleans facility)

Position Summary

Reporting to the Procurement Manager, the Buyer will assist with procurement and purchasing activities within Second Harvest Food Bank service area. The Buyer will analyze costs, assist with contract negotiations, and offer strategies and solutions to help better manage the cost of supplies and vendor services. The Buyer is expected to exercise independent judgment and discretion with all matters relating to building partnerships with vendors. 

Second Harvest Food Bank (SHFB) believes that each employee contributes significantly to the company’s success; that contribution should be unlimited by the work identified, assigned tasks, and overall responsibilities. Each employee is expected to offer their talents, expertise, and services whenever necessary to ensure the achievement of company goals.  

Accountabilities

• Ensures the most cost-effective procurement of quality products through Feeding America’s network as well as local avenues.
• Monitors Feeding America’s Choice System and Grocery Purchasing Portal.
• Prepares purchase orders; responds to customer and supplier inquiries; reviews requisition orders to verify accuracy; compares prices, specifications, and delivery dates to determine the best bid among potential suppliers.
• Prepares, maintains, and reviews purchasing files; report price lists; locates suppliers.
• Track the status of requisitions, contracts, and orders, communicating expected delivery times to internal customers.
• Follows all federal and state procurement guidelines and procedures.
• Maintains purchasing spreadsheet and key contact database with all vendors.
• Supports Procurement Manager with an onsite visitation plan that includes face-to-face visits, meetings, and presentations with vendors to maximize the efficiency of purchasing using local and state vendors when possible.
• Assists with expediting purchased products to needed warehouse or location.
• Participates in meetings and committees as appropriate.
• Complies with all SHFB policies and procedures.
• Maintains a professional, positive, and courteous demeanor.
• Performs other duties as assigned to meet company needs.

Qualifications

Education: Degree in marketing, business, or related field preferred. Knowledge and/or training in budget management and purchase orders.

Experience: Background in purchasing, distribution, logistics, and/or food procurement.

Skills and Capabilities

The ideal candidate will possess many of these professional and personal abilities and attributes:

• Capable of working under general direction in a self-motivated fashion.
• Ability to meet deadlines and exceptional recordkeeping skills.
• Strong communication and presentation skills with an emphasis on customer service.
• Advanced in MS Office applications, particularly Word, Excel, and Outlook. Ability to learn in-house database and reporting systems.
• Professional demeanor with the ability to work cooperatively across all levels of the organization.
• Excellent math skills.
• Dependable, conscientious, and willing to learn.
• Willingness to travel within the company’s service area and to work after hours and on weekends as needed.

Allowable Substitutions: A combination of education, experience, and/or training that provides the required knowledge and skills for the position may be considered in lieu of education and/or experience at the company’s discretion.

External Candidates

1. Email your resume and cover letter (with salary requirements) to jobs@secondharvest.org.
2. Type “Buyer” as the only content in the subject line of your email.