Produce Buyer

Contact Name
Kylie
Details

Do organic beets make your heart beat? Do you think it's rad to source locally-grown radishes? Then keep reading because you might be the perfect fit for us!

Our growing Produce department features a vast and always changing array of fresh produce, a large majority of which is locally-sourced or organically grown, and all of it is offered at a competitive price. We are seeking a Produce Buyer to join a team known for its excellent customer service skills and enthusiastic knowledge about fruits, veggies, and more.

What You'll Do:

  • create and maintain well stocked inventory through strategic ordering
  • negotiate fair prices with vendors to reach our sales goals
  • build effective and mutually beneficial vendor relationships
  • create vibrant merchandise displays
  • track product movement
  • take initiative to identify and resolve problems to support a positive and professional work environment
  • receive and stock product with frequent lifting of 50 lbs

 

What We're Looking For:

Our ideal candidate:

  • Has proven experience in purchasing, negotiating, and margin management.
  • Is proficient in Excel and confident in analyzing data to drive decisions.
  • Possesses knowledge of natural foods, retail grocery, and Co-ops (or a strong desire to learn!).
  • Thrives in a fast-paced environment while staying organized and detail-oriented.
  • Is passionate about customer service and providing an exceptional shopping experience.
  • Product knowledge: Understanding ripeness, seasonality and shelf life.
  • Visual and creative skills: Design and implement vibrant, eye-catching merchandise displays.

 

Why Work With Us?

At our Co-op, we offer:

  • Competitive pay and a supportive, inclusive company culture.
  • A comprehensive benefits package, including group health insurance, optional vision and dental coverage, 20% store discount, profit-sharing bonuses, 3+ weeks PTO, and more.
  • Opportunities to learn something new every day in a growing, community-focused workplace.

This is a full-time, 40-hour-per-week role. If you're ready to bring your expertise and enthusiasm to a team that values community and quality, we'd love to hear from you!

Hourly rate $20.25-$25 depending on experience.

$1,000 hiring bonus available. $500 pays out after 90 days of employment. $500 pays out after 1 year of employment.

Learn more and apply today at middlebury.coop/careers

Barons: Money, Power, and the Corruption of America's Food Industry

Why is our food system broken? Austin Frerick describes the rise to power of 7 “food titans”, whose exploitation of consumers, farmers, and workers has contributed to high prices and poor conditions for farmers and workers. 

 

Frerick is a Yale University agricultural policy fellow and the author of Barons: Money, Power and the Corruption of Food Industry, chosen as a Kirkus Review Best Indie Book of 2024.

 

 

Ask me Anything—Organic Markets for Dairy Farmers

Join us for the last session of the “Organic Markets for Dairy Farmers” series. This upcoming advisor call is designed as a follow-up to the last two previous webinars on Markets ROI and Buyer Perspectives on Organic Dairy Markets. This is a great opportunity for those who missed the earlier sessions to engage in a deeper discussion about these topics with farmers, buyers, and economic experts who were featured in previous webinars. This advisor call is an open forum for you to ask any questions you have related to organic dairy markets.