ASSISTANT MERCHANDISING MANAGER - FSI

Job DetailsJob Location: Food Service Intl (FSI) - Seattle, WA 98108Position Type: Full-Time Non-Exempt (Hourly)Salary Range: $28.86 - $41.84 HourlyJob Shift: Any (Hours May Vary)About Us: Food Service International (FSI) is Uwajimaya’s wholesale food service and distribution subsidiary, supplying high-quality products to restaurants, businesses, and internal operations across the Pacific Northwest. Backed by Uwajimaya’s legacy since 1928, FSI operates in a fast-paced warehouse and cold storage environment where accuracy, food safety, and strong supplier partnerships are essential.

 

Why Join Food Service International?

FSI offers hands-on, operational roles where your work directly impacts supply chain performance and customer success. We value teamwork, accountability, and people who take pride in delivering quality products efficiently in a dynamic distribution environment.

Who We're Looking For
We’re looking for team members who are collaborative, thoughtful, and passionate about making a difference. Whether you’re serving customers, supporting operations, or leading a team, you bring a people-first mindset and a strong work ethic. If you thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and believe in the power of inclusion, community, and connection — you’ll feel right at home here.

 

To thrive at Uwajimaya, you should embody our core competencies:



Functional/Technical Skills: You possess the necessary functional and technical knowledge to perform your job at a high level.


Customer Focus: You are dedicated to meeting customer expectations and requirements, using feedback for improvements, and building effective relationships based on trust and respect.


Action Oriented: You enjoy working hard, are full of energy for challenging tasks, and seize opportunities with minimal planning.


Peer Relationships: You can find common ground with peers, solve problems collaboratively, and are seen as a cooperative team player who encourages collaboration.


Self-Development: You are committed to continuous self-improvement, adapt to different situations, and work to develop your strengths while addressing weaknesses.



 

We offer:



A flexible, inclusive, and friendly work culture


Competitive starting wages


Paid holidays from day one


Excellent medical, dental, and vision benefits


A generous retirement plan


Paid time off, long-term disability, and life insurance


Employee discounts on food and gift items


Supplemental insurance options


Opportunities for growth and advancement



 

Position Summary:

The Assistant Merchandising Manager at Food Services International (FSI) plays a key role in supporting the Merchandise Manager in managing purchasing operations, inventory control, and supplier relationships. This position assists in maintaining efficient workflows within the purchasing department, monitoring product availability and pricing, and ensuring alignment with company goals and policies. The Assistant Merchandising Manager works closely with the Merchandise Manager, General Manager and cross-functional teams to support cost-effective purchasing decisions, ensure accurate inventory levels, and contribute to smooth project execution across the organization.

 

Schedule:



Monday–Friday: 4:00 AM – 12:00 PM



Hours may vary depending on business needs throughout the week


Flexible scheduling applies




Saturday: Every other week (as scheduled)



 

Work Environment:



This position is based at Uwajimaya Food Service International (FSI), a wholesale food service and distribution operation and subsidiary of Uwajimaya.


Work is performed in a warehouse and cold storage environment.


This is not a retail grocery store position.



 

Position’s Key Responsibilities:



Support the Merchandise Manager in overseeing daily purchasing operations, with a focus on inventory control, supplier relationships, and product flow.


Assist in the preparation and processing of purchase orders to ensure timely and accurate procurement.


Support inventory management efforts to maintain appropriate stock levels, optimize turnover, and minimize excess inventory.


Communicate with suppliers to ensure accurate cost information, product availability, and timely deliveries.


Monitor market trends and pricing to support purchasing decisions and maintain competitive product costs.


Collaborate with other departments to support project implementation and ensure alignment with company-wide objectives.


Assist in negotiating pricing, quantities, and delivery schedules with suppliers to support cost-effective purchasing.


Monitor product quality and work with vendors to resolve issues related to damaged or unacceptable goods.


Support the Merchandise Manager in ensuring