Purchasing Team Leader (Manager / Category Buyer)

Whole Foods Market, Inc. is a company with a unique character and philosophy that has set us decidedly apart from traditional supermarket chains. As the leading natural foods retailer in the world, our mission is to provide excellent products and services to our customers. We fulfill our mission by supporting a culture of highly knowledgeable people who are empowered to make their own decisions, creating an environment where people are treated with respect

 

Come work with us at Whole Foods Market, Inc., the largest natural and organic foods supermarket retailer. Work with great people in a team environment as you learn about natural and organic products from the experts. Our philosophy is to satisfy and delight our customers and to support team member excellence and happiness.

We also encourage you to have a life! We offer great benefits and working conditions. That's why we've been named as one of FORTUNE magazine's top 100 companies to work for in America.

 

Job Summary:

This is an exciting opportunity to oversee purchasing for our Cheshire, Connecticut Distribution Center (DC) which services both the North Atlantic and Northeast regions of Whole Foods Market. The Cheshire Distribution Center Purchasing Team Leader (manager) will be responsible for sourcing and procuring the highest quality conventional and organic products from local, domestic, and international sources. They will also be responsible for helping to maintain the day to day operations of the purchasing team. This position will be based in Cheshire, Connecticut.

 

Duties and Responsibilities:Lead Distribution Center Buyers and Clerical Support Staff ? create a purchasing teamBe accountable for in stock percentage and ordering schedulesResponsible for inventory turnsDeal directly with major suppliers and serve as escalation point for all DC purchasesGrow the grocery businessImplement purchasing systemsCreate a model for potential new itemsIncrease effective buys in all departmentsIncrease utilization of existing vendors for backhaul opportunitiesWill work with retail product groups to develop programs that allow the DC to better serve the storesFind product opportunities for the storesDevelop effective Communication with stores and regional product leadersSupport Retail programs at stores through effective and efficient PurchasingParticipate in all facility leadership activitiesEnsure that all organic compliance is in place

 

Requirements:Vast natural foods purchasing experienceTeam focused attitude and interest in developing skill sets of purchasing team Extensive knowledge of how WFM works and interacts internally is helpfulDemonstrated ability to lead team of buyersExtremely detail oriented.  Must be process focused.Outstanding communication skills ? both written and oral.Understanding of perpetual inventory systemsStrong work ethic?lead by exampleStrong teaching and delegation skillsAbility to support unique needs of both the Northeast and North Atlantic Regions.Knowledge and ability to work in a Distribution environment.Understanding of warehouse management and purchasing systems.

 

Please apply online at http://www.wholefoodsmarketcareers.com/distributioncenter