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Purchasing Assistant, Produce

Hy-Vee, Inc.
West Des Moines, United Statesfull_timeVerifiedPosted 3 Mar 2025

About the role

Additional Considerations (if any):

-

At Hy-Vee our people are our strength. We promise “a helpful smile in every aisle” and those smiles can only come from a workforce that is fully engaged and committed to supporting our customers and each other.

Job Description:

Job Title: Purchasing Assistant, Produce

Department: Produce

FLSA: Non-Exempt

General Function

Assists the Produce Purchasing Specialist with projects and duties as assigned, and assists with ordering fresh produce products.

Core Competencies

  • Partnerships
  • Growth mindset
  • Results oriented
  • Customer focused
  • Professionalism

Reporting Relations

Accountable and Reports to: Produce Purchasing Specialist

Positions that Report to you: None

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

  • Performs administrative/clerical tasks for purchasing specialists and department GVP as needed.
  • Answers telephone, voice mails and emails; resolves problems and returns calls.
  • Maintains good communication with the inbound freight department and sends accurate purchase order information.
  • Determines quantities needed from pre-orders, purchasing software, compiles order information and places orders with vendors.
  • Maintains relationships with vendors and responds to inquiries regarding order information.
  • Reviews code date reports and monitors inventory in order to minimize aging of perishable products. Reports issues to the Purchasing Specialists.
  • Maintains holiday/seasonal files and on-hand inventory during these seasons.
  • Reports to work when scheduled and on time.

Secondary Duties and Responsibilities

  • Serves as a backup to others in the department as needed during absences. (including the purchasing specialists)
  • Creates pre-order file for upcoming ads.
  • Assists with watching when items need prorated due to shortages.
  • Performs other job related duties and special projects as required.
  • Send out reports as needed to required personnel.
  • Assists stores with daily order needs and special orders.
  • Runs recaps from vendors for store sales.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Worker Characteristics

  • Commitment to the Hy-Vee Mission and a willingness to promote the values of the company
  • Strong knowledge of the fresh produce industry
  • Good verbal and written communication skills
  • Strong critical thinking and problem solving skills
  • Strong interpersonal skills; ability to relate to and interact with other people in a friendly, professional manner
  • Ability to interact with basic computer systems, including word processing, Microsoft programs, spreadsheet and email applications, as well as job-specific programs

Education and Experience

High school diploma or equivalent required; 1-3 years previous related work experience

Physical Requirements

  • Visual requirements include: ability to see detail at near range with or without correction.
  • Must be physically able to perform sedentary work: occasionally lifting or carrying objects of no more than 10 pounds, and occasionally standing or walking.
  • Must be able to perform the following physical activities: stooping, kneeling, reaching, handling, grasping, feeling talking, hearing and repetitive motions.

Working Conditions

The duties of this position are performed in a general office setting. There is frequent pressure to meet deadlines and handle multiple projects in a day.

Equipment Used to Perform Job

Calculator, copier, telephone, printer, and PC with Microsoft Office programs

Contacts

Has daily contact with suppliers/vendors and store personnel

Confidentiality

Has access to confidential information, including pricing

Are you ready to smile, apply today.  

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Company

Hy-Vee, Inc.

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