Merchants Distributors, LLC

Buyer - Produce

Merchants Distributors, LLC  •  $400k/yr  •  Hickory, NC (Onsite)  •  8 days ago
Apply
Save Job
Mark Applied Mark Interviewed Mark Offered
Hide Job Report Job
AI can make mistakes so check important info. Chat history is never stored.

Job Description

Major Functions:

Responsible for the procurement strategy and execution of assigned produce categories, ensuring alignment with MDI’s profitability, service level, quality, and customer growth objectives.

This role operates with broad decision-making authority across sourcing, pricing, inventory management, supplier relationships, and customer collaboration.

Responsibilities

  • Own end‑to‑end buying responsibility for assigned produce categories, including sourcing strategy, vendor selection, pricing, and procurement execution.
  • Deliver gross profit, inventory investment, and shrink performance in line with annual budgets and service level expectations.
  • Manage inventory levels, turns, and freshness, balancing customer demand, seasonality, and market volatility.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned customer groups, partnering with retail merchandisers to develop and execute ad strategies, promotional calendars, and item launches.
  • Analyze and respond to market conditions (availability, weather, freight, pricing trends) and proactively adjust buying strategies to mitigate risk and capitalize on opportunity.
  • Lead supplier relationships, including negotiation of pricing, programs, quality expectations, and corrective action when standards are not met.
  • Establish and maintain item standards, including PLUs, UPCs, pack specifications, and quality parameters for all assigned items.
  • Collaborate closely with warehouse operations and quality control to ensure optimal inbound quality, rotation, and distribution execution.
  • Execute structured sourcing processes, including RFP development, evaluation, and supplier negotiations to optimize cost, quality, and service.
  • Requires periodic travel to industry events, supplier and grower operations, and retail customer locations to support relationship development, store-level execution, collaborative planning, and validation of merchandising, promotional, and program performance.
  • Drive sales growth initiatives, including new item introductions, category expansion, and assortment optimization to increase customer competitiveness.
  • Provide guidance and informal mentoring to Associate Buyers, supporting skill development, problem-solving, and adherence to best practices.
  • Participate in cross-functional initiatives, food shows, customer meetings, and departmental projects as a subject matter expert.
  • Build and improve procurement tools, reporting, and analytics, including leveraging AI-enabled solutions to enhance decision-making and efficiency.
  • Effectively utilize demand planning systems and insights to anticipate customer needs, align procurement strategies with forecasted demand, and proactively manage supply, inventory levels, and in-stock position across assigned categories.

    • Qualifications

    Desirable Qualifications:

    • Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Agriculture, or related field preferred.
    • 5–8 years of progressive experience in produce buying, merchandising, or produce operations, including full-line buying responsibility with broad experience procuring across all primary produce commodities (fruits, vegetables, value-added, and seasonal categories).
    • Demonstrated experience in FOB procurement and vendor negotiations.
    • Strong understanding of USDA standards, produce specifications, and quality assurance requirements.
    • Proven ability to manage complex portfolios in fast-paced, high‑volume environments.
    • Advanced analytical, negotiation, and decision-making skills.
    • Strong communication and relationship management skills with both internal and external stakeholders.
    • Proficiency with Microsoft Office and purchasing/inventory systems.
    • Ability to perform effectively under pressure and manage competing priorities.

    Dimensions:

    • Manages a portfolio of approximately 300 – 400 active SKUs across assigned produce commodities, including both commodity and value-added items.
    • Responsible for inventory positions typically ranging between $400K – 1M in on hand value, depending on seasonality and category mix.
    • Supports procurement and replenishment activity for 500+ customer locations, including independent retailers and multi-unit operators.
    • Interfaces with 60+ active suppliers, including direct growers, shippers, importers, and distribution partners.
    • Influences annual category revenue of approximately $50 – 60M+ across assigned commodities.
    • No direct reports; provides functional leadership and day-to-day guidance to 6 Associate Buyers or support roles.
    • Utilizes enterprise systems, including purchasing, inventory management, and forecasting platforms.

    #LI-VP1

    Merchants Distributors, LLC

    About Merchants Distributors, LLC

    Merchants Distributors (MDI) is a privately-owned wholesale grocery store distributor headquartered in Hickory, NC. MDI supplies over 600 retail food stores with food and non-food items in NC, SC, GA, TN, VA, AL, WV, OH, FL, PA, MD, and KY.

    MDI celebrated its 85th anniversary on September 21, 2016. MDI's 85 year history is an interesting story of sacrifice, growth and success. It began as a small family business in the small town of Hickory, North Carolina, and as one local newspaper described it, "With little more than a bag of peanuts, an apple, and a stick of candy."​ What Lebanese immigrant Moses George and his sons purchased in 1931 for $17,000 has since grown to become a multimillion-dollar wholesale grocery company.

    Merchants Distributors is a great American success story but it is a company that has never forgotten its roots. Its success is based on:

    - Its values, its facilities, its variety, its Advertising programs, its cost of goods, and its innovations

    - The one thing that distinguishes MDI as superior to other distribution companies - leadership. MDI's owners have created a leadership style that supports the organization as one family working together for one common goal and a culture in its people that is impossible to duplicate.

    Industry
    Wholesale & Distribution
    Company Size
    501-1,000 employees
    Headquarters
    Hickory, NC
    Year Founded
    1931
    Website
    mdi.com
    Social Media