Produce Commodity Buyer

POSITION SUMMARY:

Coordinate the procurement of commodity items, based on category plans, for the entire Kroger enterprise. Procure the best quality at the best cost possible.  Develop relationships with growers and shippers to leverage Kroger’s volume as a strategic advantage.  Assist in identifying opportunities for divisions including new items, packaging, and innovation.  Demonstrate the company’s core values of respect, honesty, integrity, diversity, inclusion and safety.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• This hybrid position requires you to work at Kroger’s Corporate Office (Store Support Center) at least two days per week.
• Place orders in iTrade with shippers; populate and submit orders to shippers and price according to plans
• Review for proper iTrade status; facilitate reconciliation of pricing issues, and amounts as needed per RASC (Regional Accounting Service Center)
• Manage and populate weekly ad lid requests with prices upon receiving costs and volume commitments from shippers
• Collaborates with category management on current and future markets, including vendor pricing and supplier selection
• Mange and resolves distribution center rejections
• Assist with the commitment to grow commodity products
• Manage and resolve distribution center over, short, and damage claims
• Make changes to purchase orders (POs) based on either replenishment or supplier-initiated changes
• Manage department initiatives and policies
• Maintain positive trade relations with suppliers
• Leverage the company’s size and execution to create enterprise advantages
• Manage, mentor, train, and support the team including collaboration with Replenishment and Supply Chain teams

Must be able to perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation

MINIMUM POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:

• 4-year degree in Business, Supply Chain, Communications, or equivalent education preferred
• Minimum 1 year of Kroger experience preferred knowledge gained from procurement, merchandising or education experience preferred
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications including Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Capacity to learn multiple computer systems and web-based applications
• Experience functioning in a corporate office environment
• Strong leadership and organizational skills
• Adaptable to modernizations in technology
• Able to absorb new information and quickly pivot in direction
• Capability to collaborate with others and contribute effectively to a team
• Expert organizational, analytical, and critical thinking skills
• Highly motivated self-starter who can work with minimal supervision
• Experience generating detailed reports and delivering a summary of your findings in both spreadsheet and presentation form
• Ability to effectively craft and deliver a message verbally to any audience including senior level executives
• Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, prioritize and multi-task

MINIMUM PHYSICAL ABILITIES:

• Must be able to
  • remain standing/sitting for several hours at a time
  • lift 10-50 lbs. occasionally

COMPETENCIES/SKILLS:

Some of the Competencies/Skills required to successfully perform this position are:

• Adaptability – maintaining effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work tasks or the work environment; adjusting effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures
• Building Strategic Working Relationships – developing and using collaborative relationships to facilitate the accomplishment of work goals
• Building Trust – interacting with Kroger employees, customers and suppliers in a way that gives Kroger Division and Corporate Management confidence in one’s intentions and those of the organization
• Communication – clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in the English language
• Customer Focus – making Kroger customers and their needs a primary focus of one’s actions; developing and sustaining productive relationships with Kroger employees as well as the suppliers that we represent
• Decision Making – identifying and understanding issues, problems, and opportunities; comparing data from different sources to draw conclusions; using effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions; taking action that is consistent with available facts, constraints, and probable consequences
• Inclusion – appreciating and leveraging the capabilities, insights, and ideas of all individuals; working effectively with individuals of diverse style, ability, and motivation for a direct effect on business results
• Initiating Action – taking prompt action to accomplish objectives; taking action to achieve goals beyond what is required; being proactive; generating innovative solutions in work situations
• Leadership – ability to recognize and provide training opportunities; give clear direction to accomplish assigned tasks; hold others to high standards of accountability and address issues when needed in a way that encourages, not discourages the employee
• Negotiation – effectively exploring alternatives and positions to reach outcomes that gain the support and acceptance of all parties
• Self-Starter – working the majority of the time without direct supervision; prioritizing, organizing and completing workload accurately within allotted time period
• Work Standards – setting high standards of performance for self and others; assuming responsibility and accountability for successfully completing assignments or tasks; self-imposing standards of excellence rather than having standards imposed