National Produce Buyer

C&S Wholesale Grocers, Inc., headquartered in Keene, New Hampshire, is a privately owned company with annual sales of over $19 billion. With compounded double digit growth over the last several years we are currently the 8th largest privately held company in the nation, as ranked by Forbes magazine in 2005.

Founded in 1918, C&S provides wholesale food distribution to grocery chains as well as independent stores throughout the United States, delivering to over 4,100 grocery stores from its distribution centers in Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Ohio, South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, California and Hawaii.

Job Opening: National Produce Buyer

Job Summary:
The primary purpose of this position is to increase the number of cases sold within the assigned categories while providing the C&S Distribution Centers with quality produce at competitive prices.

Job Responsibilities: Negotiate with growers and shippers for the best possible cost and highest quality. Maintain on-going communications with the distribution turn buyers and DC Directors to ensure all retail goals are met. Negotiate and submit to management all contract buys for major commodities. Monitor and provide management with period end reports of category management implementations against agreed upon benchmarks. Work with the Director of Produce Marketing to develop and maintain assigned categories including new item introductions and deletions. Become an expert on all commodities within assigned category to have a working knowledge of products on a global basis. Determine items for advertising and negotiate ad lids for commodities within assigned category. Negotiate all vendor incentive programs to achieve planned levels of performance. Provide direction to Produce turn buyers.

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Additional Job Responsibilities: Actively participate in the development of National and Segment promotions developed by the Director of Marketing. Provide period reports for each PSC?s actual cases against agreed upon levels of participation. Maintain close relationship with major vendors within assigned categories to insure accurate and timely information. Work with the transportation department to insure timely arrival of product at the DC?s Resolve pricing issues between the vendor, and C&S. Visit major growing areas of assigned commodities Maintain working knowledge of all customers at the DC?s Stay abreast of industry trends and changes and provide direction on where the company should be purchasing product and from which vendor. Track and audit performance of all vendors within assigned category. Assist in the efforts to develop Visionet for the produce department. Assist in annual performance reviews with major vendors. Complete annual performance appraisals on direct reports according to Company policy.

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Job Requirements: College Degree or equivalent management training 5+ years relevant Produce buying experience Wholesale Department Management and/or Retail produce experience a plus Strong Product knowledge and an understanding of distribution logistics and transportation Knowledge of Produce growing areas. Strong communication skills Proven negotiation skills Knowledge of PACA regulations

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C&S offers excellent benefits including health, dental, vision, company paid life insurance, 401K with company contributions, tuition reimbursement, flexible spending accounts, paid vacation and the opportunity for personal and professional growth.

C&S Wholesale Grocers is an Equal Opportunity/Employer. We adhere to a policy of making all employment decisions without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.?

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Visit our web site to apply!?