Produce Buyer

Founded in 2013, Home Chef is the leading meal solutions company with both a retail and online presence. Available online at homechef.com and in retail at more than 2,100 Kroger grocery stores, Home Chef is committed to inspiring and enabling more people to cook simple, delicious meals, no matter how busy they are.

In 2023, Home Chef introduced a new brand, Tempo! Tempo features a rotating selection of ready-to-heat meals delivered directly to your door. These meals are better-for-you versions of familiar favorites, designed to save you time and reduce stress while maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Our Tempo menu includes options that are protein-packed, fiber-rich, calorie and carb conscious, keto-friendly, and dietitian-approved.

Similar to our recipes, we recognize that variety is the spice of life, and therefore, our employees also bring their uniqueness and color to our fantastic team. We're eager to work with humble team players and pragmatic next-level thinkers to innovate on Home Chef's offerings.

The Produce Buyer is responsible for purchasing all produce items for their site location. They are responsible for managing local supplier relationships, determining order quantities, and ensuring the timely arrival of high-quality products.The Produce Buyer will also focus on continuously improving purchasing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

Detailed Responsibilities

Ingredient Procurement

• Manage ordering process for multiple menu cycles by balancing lead times, forecast variability, and multiple purchase orders
• Place timely, accurate orders with Home Chef vendors and/or source product locally
• Work regularly in Google Sheets to determine purchase quantities
• Utilize Home Chef ERP system to cut purchase orders and track in-house inventory
• Work cross functionally with quality and production teams daily
• Reduce excess over orders by tracking product starting inventory and cutting orders as needed
• Quickly source product and resolve problems in a timely manner related to inventory, product quality, and yields
• Balance production schedule with product perishability to determine best product delivery date
• Balance food costs with product quality by sourcing product from vendors that can meet Home Chef's delivery dates and quality expectations
• Review product yields and over orders on a weekly basis and make adjustments as needed
• Manage product yields and forecast variability while adjusting product quantities as needed
• Review all produce as it arrives to ensure Home Chef quality standards are met
• Determine average case counts as product arrives and make ordering adjustments as needed

Vendor Management

• Regularly communicate with Home Chef vendors to ensure on-time delivery and quality ingredients
• Onboard new vendors by reviewing Home Chef ordering model and product specifications
• Ensure vendors are meeting product specifications and communicate necessary changes
• Document any vendor concerns and work with supply chain managers to resolve as needed
• Work with vendors to return excess product
• Balance vendor expectations with Home Chef expectations to ensure on-time deliveries
• Knowledgeable on pricing differences week over week and work with vendors to resolve issues as needed

Improve Purchasing Function Accuracy

• Attend and prepare for weekly purchasing KPI meetings
• Work with production manager and senior procurement manager to determine root cause for shortages/overages and put action plans in place as needed
• Conduct daily inspections of produce for quality and vendor accuracy

This position requires 5% travel.

Qualifications

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability needed for this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities.

• General high school degree, or equivalent, (e.g. GED).
• 3+ years previous experience as a buyer, preferably in the food or produce industry
• Strong understanding of supply chain and inventory management principles
• Proficiency in Google Sheets and experience with ERP systems
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
• Keen attention to detail and commitment to quality
• Ability to work cross-functionally with various teams
• Knowledge of produce seasonality, quality standards, and market trends is a plus

More About Us

Perks and Benefits

• Candidates can experience Home Chef as a customer - enter promo code PEOPLE30 for $30 off your first order!
• Medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance available
• Paid holidays, sick time and vacation time
• 401k program
• Flexible spending accounts for qualified medical, dependent care, parking, or transit expenses

How We Work Together

We are humble team players. We are warm and gracious with team members and customers. We seek feedback to improve ourselves - and respectfully listen to and accept input.

We are pragmatic next-level thinkers. We come up with novel and unique ideas. We explore new strategies to avoid being constrained by conventional thinking.

We take ownership. We approach ambiguous problems, prepared to dive in, get curious, and learn more. We are results-driven, always challenging ourselves to exceed goals.

Be at Home at Home Chef

We all show up authentically at Home Chef. Our team includes individuals with a variety of identities, backgrounds, and perspectives. You can trust that you'll be able to bring your whole self to an inclusive and enjoyable workplace.

We welcome people of all races, colors, religions, national origin or ancestry, sex (including sexual identity), age, physical or mental disabilities, pregnancy, veteran or military status, unfavorable discharge from military service, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, order of protection status, citizenship status, arrest record or expunged/sealed convictions, or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state, or local law.

Home Chef is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Home Chef will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact our People team at [email protected].

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