Cafe Back up Buyer

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manages purchasing and receiving for the Café and Cheese Departments as back up to others Café buyers.
• Assists buyers in the development and maintenance of retail stocking, cheese cutting and merchandising. 
• Follows procedures and processes as outlined by Café and Cheese Buyers. 
• Orders designated products in a timely and efficient manner to ensure sufficient supplies of goods are maintained at all times. 
• Ensures invoices are accurate and submitted within 24 hours of receipt. 
• Proactively tracks invoices and seeks credits in an organized and prompt manner. 
• Works with Buyers and Management team to keep GL reconciled accurately and promptly.
• Maintains appropriate levels of ingredients and product stock as measured by outages and shrink, back stock, and overstock. 
• Utilizes appropriate category reviews and movement reports to drive buying behavior for the market to support sales goals and customers’ needs. 
• Uses proper rotation, overstocking, and green tag procedures outlined by standard procedures to ensure compliance during audits.
• Ensures appropriate signage is created and displayed for the products and goods for which the Café Buyer is responsible, per the standards of the Common Market.  
• Follows established guidelines, procedures, and SOPs. 
• Adjusts buying quantities as needed for promotions and changeovers. 
• Attends and participates in trainings pertinent to Café and shares ideas, relates customer feedback, and makes recommendations that enhance the productivity and growth of the Café Department. 
• Communicates staff of pending new products and announces their arrival. 
• Researches products and goods to ensure a thorough knowledge of their histories, effects, elements, reviews, etc. 
• Maintains knowledge of products that may be shared with customers and disseminated among staff. 
• Remains current on new products and current trends in the industry. 
• Assists in promotional planning and product ordering with Buyers. 
• Communicates with the Merchandising Liaison regarding buying for upcoming promotions and promotional activities. 
• Proactively assists customers in finding requested items or answering questions regarding pricing or offerings. 
• Handles all products and goods in a safe and sanitary manner. 
• Maintains cleanliness and neatness of the sales floor and back stock areas. 
• Actively engages in activities and professional development to enhance knowledge.
• Provides attentive, timely, and friendly service to all internal and external customers at all times. 
• Builds and maintains customer satisfaction with the products and services offered by the co-op.
• Others duties as assigned. 

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

• High School Diploma or equivalent experience. 
• A minimum of two (2) years’ experience in a retail environment.
• A minimum of one (1) year’s experience in purchasing or merchandising.   
• Supports the co-op’s core values and aligns with the Co-op Code of Conduct.
• Adapts readily based on evolving co-op needs or in response to feedback.
• Maintains composure in highly stressful or adverse situations. 
• Knowledge of organic food, farming, sustainability, health, and nutrition. 
• Computer proficiency, familiarity with MS Office Suite, and experience with POS systems. 

ENVIRONMENTAL & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Flexibility to work any shift, including mornings, middays, evenings, weekends. 
• Must wear closed-toe, skid-resistant shoes; a head covering (hat, bandanna, etc.); and long pants.
• Ability to work in varying temperatures (approximately 40°F – 95°F). 
• Ability to stand or sit for long periods at a time. 
• Ability to bend, stoop, reach, kneel, twist, and climb.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds unassisted.
• Reliable access to transportation.