Buyer, Commodities

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Position Summary

Executes strategic vision to maximize market opportunities to increase margin, sales, and case volumes for both internal and external customers. Develops and maintains exceptional knowledge of products, market conditions, vendors and other factors that affect the cost of goods to ensure margin goals are achieved or exceeded. Leverages relationships with suppliers to provide GFS with opportunities for a reduced cost on commodity products. Collaborates with Category and Imports and Commodities Team to develop customer pricing and commodity purchasing strategies that maximize cost and inventory positions for improved profit.

Note: The successful candidate should be based in Milton, Ontario.

Essential Functions

• Executes strategies related to multiple levels of margin and case movement for assigned categories and markets.
• Sources suppliers and items that meet defined specifications, performance, or functionality.
• Monitors and replenishes the inventory of assigned products and divisions.
• Monitors and analyzes assigned products and markets for cost‑saving opportunities.
• Collaborates with the commodities manager(s) to evaluate and act on forward buy and hedging opportunities.
• Collaborates with the Divisional Category Team to determine system costs and suggested selling prices.
• Ensures products are transferred from fresh to frozen status to limit product loss.
• Collaborates with the divisional Supply Chain Manager(s) to alleviate inventory issues.
• Continually seek to identify and reduce or eliminate process and system costs.
• Communicates category or product details regarding supply issues, cost changes, food show, truckload sale events, etc., to Category Managers, Specialists and appropriate Sales leadership at GFS Division.
• Counsels and directs vendors toward continuous improvement in performance. Provides input to Category Management team for contracted vendor performance improvement.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Bachelor Degree in Logistics, Purchasing or other Business related field required
• At least five years of previous purchasing/Logistics/replenishment or working knowledge of the supplier community and the foodservice industry.
• Occasional international travel, to divisions and industry events, supplier visits.
• Must have excellent written, verbal, organizational and communication skills as well as problem‑solving capabilities.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills with ability to manage multiple diverse projects simultaneously.
• Results‑oriented with strong determination to succeed.
• Positive attitude with a commitment to learning and desire for personal and professional growth.
• Knowledge of Commodity markets, purchasing, and Logistics /replenishment methods.

Equipment / Tools / Technology

• Knowledge in Google applications, Microsoft Office, email and internet software applications.
• General working knowledge of logistics /replenishment applications and software.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however only those selected for the next stage will be contacted. Gordon Food Service is an equal opportunity employer who strives to provide an inclusive work environment that involves everyone and embraces the diverse talent of its people. All qualified applicants and employees will receive consideration for employment, or in terms or conditions of employment, without regard to any enumerated or analogous grounds of discrimination, including race, religious beliefs, colour, gender, gender identity, gender expression, physical disability, mental disability, age, ancestry, place of origin, marital status, source of income, family status, sexual orientation or status as a qualified individual with disability.
If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process due to a disability, please submit your request to talentcanada@gfs.com and use the words “Accommodation Request” in your subject line.