Lead Purchaser - Green Top Farms

Green Top Farms was founded by a farmer-turned-public-school-teacher who was troubled by the lack of fresh, nutritious foods for many New York families. For the last seven years we have built a high volume food service, catering and delivery business. Throughout that time we have remained deeply involved in working to provide better food resources and education for school children, food pantries, and the broader community. We have also pursued our vision for a more sustainable and equitable food system. We spent the majority of our energies during the COVID Pandemic serving NYC City Agencies in the provision of food for the underserved, as well as non-profit agencies throughout NYC.

Our mission is to build a more sustainable and equitable food system, starting by reconnecting consumers and local farmers. We believe the results of strengthening that connection are better nutrition, more tasty food, greater social justice, and reduced environmental impacts. Our menus reflect this attention to bringing nutritious, delicious food to those who need it most.

What You’ll Do:

• Coordinate with Purchasing Assistant to source and purchase a wide variety of fresh produce, meat and dry products from local farms, growers, and suppliers within budget
• Prepare reports and data analysis for management and monitor achievements on key purchasing indicators
• Develop specifications for equipment and supplies, and recommend procurement and bidding strategies
• Identify new vendors, lead negotiations, and ensure selected suppliers are compliant with our service agreements and standards
• Solve problems with orders and respond to unforeseen supply failures, communicate and document unresolved vendor issues and/or concerns to culinary management
• Monitor market trends, commodity prices, and weather patterns to anticipate supply fluctuations and adjust purchasing strategies accordingly
• Develop and maintain relationships with farmers and suppliers to secure reliable sources of high-quality produce
• Negotiate pricing and terms with suppliers to optimize cost-effectiveness and maintain profitability
• Coordinate with the warehouse team to ensure timely delivery and efficient inventory management
• Conduct regular quality inspections of incoming produce to ensure adherence to our standards and specifications
• Seek alternative sourcing opportunities for cost savings, improved lead times, and quality enhancements
• Review and verify acknowledgment details, including costs and expected delivery dates
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting, analytics, and KPI metrics for procurement activities
• Maintain data accuracy and integrity across all procurement and inventory management systems
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the supervisor

Who You Are:

• A minimum of 2–4 years of experience in buying/purchasing, merchandise/financial planning, or procurement
• Must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Proof of vaccination will be required
• Ability to carry over 50 pounds and remain standing for long periods of time
• Exemplary communication skills
• Inherent problem solver that’s organized, punctual, and tech savvy
• Passionate about local food and nutrition, and on a mission to reach folks with better food
• Bilingual Strongly Preferred (Spanish)
• Proven experience as a produce buyer or in a similar procurement role within the food industry
• In-depth knowledge of agricultural markets, produce varieties, and seasonality
• Strong negotiation skills and ability to build and maintain effective supplier relationships

What We Offer:

Green Top Farms provides benefits including medical insurance, sick leave, paid time off that increases with tenure, commuter benefits and potential for bonuses through our Green Shares employee bonus program.

COVID-19 Consideration:

We require all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including booster when eligible. Proof of vaccination is required. Masks are strongly recommended and may be required in accordance with state and local laws. 

Green Top Farms is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

Job Type: Full-time

Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8 AM - 6 PM,  requires weekend flexibility

Pay: $80,000/year, potential for bonuses based on meeting performance targets

Reporting To: Chief Culinary Officer

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