Category Buyer, Direct Goods

Company: Salad and Go
Location: Phoenix
Posted on: August 7, 2022

Job Description:

Description

Category Buyer, Direct Goods

Position Summary

Salad and Go ("S&G") is on a mission to disrupt the fast-food industry by making fresh, nutritious food affordable and available to all. We operate small drive-thru-only locations and serve an intentionally simplified and streamlined menu to enable operational efficiencies that allow the company to offer the lowest possible prices to guests-most notably $5.74 for salads and wraps with grilled chicken or organic tofu.

We cater to all dayparts with $1 organic cold brew and five different breakfast burritos, made with real eggs, an all-natural tortilla and served with house-made salsa for $2.99. S&G has been lowering prices every year while raising team member wages ($15/hour in Arizona), which is unheard of in the restaurant industry.

S&G was founded in 2013 and currently operates 48 stores located in Phoenix, AZ and Dallas, TX with 50 additional stores opening in the next 12 months, including several new markets. We are equipped to be the category leader in the healthy QSR vertical through our leading product (value and convenience), operations (small footprint and speed), and financials (industry leading AUVs and ROIs on new units).

We are also a "for good" company. This philosophy has informed our strategy of lowering prices for the consumer to increase accessibility, raising team member wages, and, most importantly, giving back to the community in a big way. Since April 2020, S&G has donated roughly 4,000 salads per week to non-profit organizations that fight hunger and homelessness. In the last 12 months, S&G has donated over 200,000 salads, and will donate even more in 2022 as we expand into new markets.

The Category Buyer Has The Following Primary Responsibilities

• Purchase food, ingredients, and products from approved suppliers to meet forecasted demand and production schedules, maintaining appropriate levels of inventory to support Salad and Go's aggressive growth plan
• Develops relationships with suppliers that are mutually beneficial, assuring supply, quality and competitive pricing
• Partner with the Procurement, Warehouse and Production teams to ensure on time, in full fulfillment that meets our rigorous quality and food safety standards
• Monitor commodity markets for supply and price disruption, to assess risk and determine critical sourcing and pricing opportunities
• Place purchase orders and needed, following the PO process thru to receipt and closure of the PO
• Identify opportunities for efficiencies with an eye for continuous improvement along the procure to pay process
• Partner with Category Buyers and Production to ensure adequate supply of quality product is on hand and available to meet production demand for normal business, new stores and promotions
• Partner with Culinary, Production and FSQA, ensuring high quality and adherence to all food safety regulations on all food purchases and food contact purchases
• Analyze and develop min/max levels for items, working to maintain determined levels
• Assist in other day-to-day functions and special projects as required/assigned
• Categories may include proteins, beverage, packaging, produce, dairy, spices, and oils, etc.
  
  Requirements
  
  • Be excellent at time management and able to manage multiple responsibilities and tasks.
  • Be a critical thinker and self-starter.
  • Be inquisitive and a life learner.
  • Be a good communicator, both written and verbal.
  • Be very organized.
  • Enjoy working in a fast-paced and ever-changing environment.
  • Have 3-5 years of experience in the procurement of food and related items
  • Inventory management and negotiation experience a plus.
  • Have proficiency with Microsoft Office (Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Outlook), ERP and WMS systems.
  • Lead with compassion and integrity.
    
    Benefits
    
    • Competitive pay + bonus potential
    • Paid vacation and sick time
    • Health, dental, and vision insurance
    • 401k
    • Closed on seven major holidays so you can spend time with loved ones
    • Opportunity to participate in the company's equity program
    • Growth potential with a fast-growing company
    • Complimentary Salad and Go food

Keywords: Salad and Go, Phoenix , Category Buyer, Direct Goods, Other , Phoenix, Arizona