National Buyer - Meat

Position Overview

Keep our communities fed.Our focus is simple but meaningful — from our distribution centers to our offices, every employee of C&S and our family of companies works to help feed local families, neighbors, and communities.As a National Buyer, you are responsible for leading and developing a team of Buyers and Associate Buyers to achieve and exceed operational and financial targets. The National Buyer owns vendor and customer relationships related to assigned fresh commodities, overseeing negotiations, resolving issues, and strategically aligning product offerings with market trends and consumer demands. The National Buyer leverages deep commodity expertise to drive efficiency, optimize inventory, and maintain service-level agreements with customers while contributing to overall business growth. The National Buyer ensures compliance with the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA).

Job Description

• Full-Time, Hybrid Role 

• Location: Miami, FL or North Hatfield, MA

You will contribute by:

• Leading, developing, and managing team members to ensure the effective execution of daily responsibilities. 

• Driving team performance to meet and exceed annual objectives through regular assessments and feedback. 

• Serving as the primary point of contact for resolving conflicts and issues with suppliers.Owning and managing relationships with customers for assigned commodities. 

• Influencing customers to purchase the proper commodity mix that is mutually beneficial for both the customer and the company. 

• Presenting to customers regarding service issues, market trends, and efficiency efforts. 

• Serving as a point of escalation for customers with issues related to commodities.

• Leveraging commodity expertise to streamline processes and enhance global buying efficiency. 

• Analyzing consumer trends and markets across all regions to ensure an appropriate product mix is available. 

• Assessing industry trends and changes to recommend the most viable vendor partnerships. 

• Training team members to develop a working knowledge of products.

• Managing assigned categories by introducing and removing items based on market trends, category expertise, and vendor-grower relationships to maintain inventory accuracy and mitigate risks.

• Managing negotiations with growers, shippers, and/or farmers to obtain the best possible cost and highest-quality product, and submitting all major commodity contract purchases to management. 

• Resolving pricing issues between vendors and the company.

• Negotiating ad placements for commodities and sharing forecasted purchase items with turn buyers. 

• Collaborating with distribution center directors and other stakeholders to meet retail goals and customer expectations.

• Preparing period-end reports on category management performance against established benchmarks. 

• Providing reports on each distribution center's actual cases compared to agreed participation levels.

• Overseeing vendor incentive programs to achieve customer performance targets and ensuring programs adhere to the terms and conditions outlined in mutually agreed-upon contracts.

• Traveling frequently to food shows and team meetings.

We’re searching for candidates with:

• Knowledge of Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) regulations

• Ability to maintain expertise in industry trends

• Strong product knowledge and deep understanding of distribution logistics and transportation

• In-depth knowledge of fresh commodities, seasonality, and market pricing

• Proficiency with the Microsoft Office suite

• Strong communication, relationship-building, and negotiation skills

• 5+ years of buying experience in fresh commodity categories

• Fresh commodity wholesale department management and/or retail experience strongly preferred

• Ability to travel to food shows and team meetings as needed

Environment:

• Office : Office Temperature (65F to 75F)

We offer:

• Weekly Pay

• Benefits available from day 1 (medical, dental, vision, and more)

• Company matched 401k

• PTO and Holiday Pay offered

• Career Progression Opportunities

• Tuition Reimbursement

• Employee Health & Wellness program

• Employee Discounts / Purchasing programs

• Employee Assistance Program

Every person matters.

We keep our values alive through a culture that embraces differences and ensures that every person matters.

The Fine Print

This Job advertisement does not constitute a promise or guarantee of employment. This job advertisement describes the general nature and level of this position only. Essential functions and responsibilities may change as business needs require. This position may be with any affiliate of C&S Wholesale Grocers.

#LI-Hybrid

Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree - Business Administration/Management

Shift

1st Shift (United States of America)

Company

C&S Wholesale Grocers, LLC

About Our Company

C&S Wholesale Grocers, LLC is an industry leader in supply chain solutions and wholesale grocery supply in the United States. Founded in 1918 as a supplier to independent grocery stores, C&S now services customers of all sizes, supplying more than 7,500 independent supermarkets, chain stores, military bases and institutions with over 100,000 different products. C&S also proudly operates and supports corporate grocery stores and services independent franchisees under a chain-style model throughout the Midwest, South and Northeast. We are an engaged corporate citizen, supporting causes that positively impact our communities.Working Safely is a Condition of Employment at C&S Wholesale Grocers, LLC. C&S Wholesale Grocers is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class. The Company provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.