Grocery Buyer 2026
Description
PAY RATE LEVEL: Two (2) $19.00 - $22.00 per hour
REPORTS TO: Grocery Manager (Quincy) or Store Manager (Portola)s
SUPPORTS: Grocery Departments
CUSTOMER SERVICE RESPONSIBILITIES
Provide exceptional customer service as identified in Feather River Food Cooperative Service Standards
Take the initiative to improve knowledge of Feather River Food Cooperatives product line and demonstrate the ability to answer or research customer questions.
Promptly respond to customer inquiries, comments, and complaints in a professional manner, with manager assistance when needed.
Alert your supervisor of issues affecting product quality, service or equipment malfunctions.
Perform other duties as assigned by management.
DEPARTMENT MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS
Handle replenishment buying for assigned areas on a regular basis and assist in other areas as needed.
Purchase items following product selection guidelines in accordance with department goals.
Maintain firm control of purchasing to enhance inventory turns.
Develop and maintain successful working relationships with ordering departments and outside vendors.
Learn and stay current with all delivery schedules and ensure that the receiving area is prepared for incoming deliveries.
Assist with deliveries to ensure they are received promptly and accurately, and all products and invoices are routed to the appropriate areas.
Handle damaged/or mis-picked items using established procedures.
Be alert to incorrect pricing at all times.
Be familiar with the plan for back stock storage and develop systematic knowledge of goods in back stock; alert manager if back stock is not rotated according to department practice.
Follow guidelines established in the grocery department to ensure the department is fully stocked at the expected rate.
Participate in inventory counts, ensuring accurate inventory of departments.
See that unsellable items are properly disposed of. Keep accurate shrinkage records.
Maintain a working knowledge of new products and trends within the industry; share important information with staff and customers.
Maintain well organized back stock to minimize loss and out of stocks on the retail floor.
Gain approval for new direct buy companies from the Grocery Manager or Store Manager.
MERCHANDISING AND PRODUCT MANAGEMENT
Participate in the creation of an aesthetically pleasing, engaging, and comfortable shopping experience in all departments.
Replenish and rotate displays, culling and replacing often as needed, and following stocking priorities set and posted by the Grocery Manager
Trim, wash, and bundle product, disposing of damaged or spoiled goods promptly following established procedures.
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY
Adhere to sales, margin and inventory turn goals and purchasing budget as set by the Grocery Manager, Store Manager or General Manager.
Demonstrate working knowledge of equations, reports and financial terms used in FRFC’s retail management.
Properly code invoices and submit them in a timely manner.
Follow procedures to ensure proper credit is received for all vendor errors or compromised products.
STORE SECURITY AND SAFETY
Observe proper procedures for handling shoplifting, theft, robbery, and inappropriate behavior.
Avoid injury by observing safety precautions.
Follow the proper steps in the event of an injury or an emergency situation.
PERSONNEL – PERSON IN CHARGE
Provide leadership as the Person in charge to all staff to ensure that customer service and productivity standards are being met.
Open and close the store as required.
Operate the register as needed to support the store.
Count and report register deposits as required.
Work with the management team to communicate and monitor staff performance issues.
Provide policy reminders, safety instruction, workplace oversight and general support to all staff.
Communications to co-workers are timely, clear, direct, and respectful.
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES & LEADERSHIP
Lead by personal example and maintain professional standards: model cooperation and promote team building to motivate staff to achieve departmental goals.
Consistently attend department, and all staff meetings.
Follow FRFC procedures and policies as defined in the Employee Handbook.
Requirements
ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL JOBS
Physical Requirements
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Daily Physical Demands include:
Ability to sit or stand for long periods of time.
Use hands to finger, handle or feel.
Reach with hands and arms.
Walk, climb, or balance and stoop.
Ability to lift and move objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
Ability to team lift up to 100 pounds.
Ability to converse with employees and customers. Must be able to exchange accurate information while working the store floor and communicating with employees and customers.
Vision ability requirements include the ability to inspect, identify, observe and assess the situational work environment both close up and at a distance. Utilize color and shape to recognize products.
Scheduling Requirements
The scheduling availability described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. All employees must be available to work weekends, evenings, early mornings, holidays, and high demand seasons. Employees will be provided a recurring base schedule at the time of hire, this will be used to determine the employees employment benefit status. Additionally, employees will be scheduled up to 40 hours per work week as needed to provide store coverage. Employees are subject to adhering to all scheduling, vacation, sick, and attendance related policies not mentioned here. Full disclosure of policies is available upon request.
Work Environment
Fast paced, physically demanding work environment.
Occasional job-related travel for training, meetings, and/or events.
Work near moving mechanical parts (i.e. store equipment, tools, etc.)
Ability to work in an environment with moderate to loud noises (i.e. equipment and machinery)
Crowded workspaces. Computer sharing is sometimes required.
Can involve work in high precarious places (i.e. ladders, ladder work.)
Ability to work in cold, wet conditions
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum of one (1) year of experience in customer service.
Minimum of one (1) year of experience in purchasing.
Knowledge of natural Food and organic standards.
Proven ability to handle multiple demands, work under time pressures, and meet deadlines.
Strong organizational skills.
Keen attention to detail.
Strong communication and listening skills.
Commitment to superior customer service and to providing the highest quality shopping experience possible.
Ability to work well with others in a cooperative environment where teamwork and constant communication is essential.
Demonstrated ability to follow through on commitments.
Availability to work early mornings, evenings and weekends if needed.
Willingness and ability to learn and grow to meet the changing requirements of the job.
Proficiency with the use of computers, internet, and applications.
Demonstrated acceptance of responsibility and accountability.
Outstanding customer service skills and aptitude, with demonstrated appreciation of diverse cultures and backgrounds.
DISCLAIMER:
The job duties, elements, responsibilities, skills, functions, experience, educational factors and the requirements and conditions listed in this job description are representative only and not exhaustive of the tasks that an employee may be required to perform. All requests from management will be reasonable considering knowledge and abilities of employees in their job description. The employer reserves the right to revise this job description at any time and require employees to perform other tasks as circumstances or conditions of its business, competitive considerations or the work environment changes.