Job in a Nutshell: 

Under the guidance of the Category Manager and as assigned by the department, the Purchasing Assistant is responsible for supporting the purchasing process and successful execution to store level of their assigned portion of the purchasing process.

Applications are accepted by the date below, which may be updated if the hiring timeline is extended.

09/25/2024

Main Ingredients:

New Product, Product Quality and Vendor Coordination

1. Assist in the evaluation of new product submission by eliminating those that do not meet our standards before further reviews
2. Research of product and suppliers by ensuring all quality information is received.
3. Read and evaluate quality information.
4. Keep abreast of changes to FDA cGMPs standards and regulations.
5. Participate in new item reviews and document approvals and rankings
6. Assist in the set-up of new vendors and new items to include local new products.
7. Maintain and update vendor Liability Insurance.
8. Maintain and update local products list by state.
9. Maintain and update Customer Return's Manual
10. Facilitate vendor and broker requests for approved product lists.

Ordering and inventory

1. For Distribution center, for promotional and new item orders, for stores and for stock
2. Processing new store orders including pricing, confirmations and coordination with New Store Operations team
3. Create vendor order and delivery schedule for each new store as appropriate
4. Assist with product recalls and returns
5. Assist with inventory reviews for slow sellers, discontinuations, and set refreshes
6. Update Replenishment Manager for additions and deletions of items on replenishment

Promotional Coordination

1. Create, maintain and update promotional spreadsheets for entry of sale price and vendor promotional costs for monthly Hotline, Grand Opening and In Store promotions
2. Ensure appropriate vendor contracts on file for promotions
3. Participate in promotional planning sessions and keep follow up documents accurate
4. Identify and facilitate corrections of any vendor promotional discount discrepancies and product line items missing from the promotion and communicate corrections to the Category Managers
5. Process and verify promotional scan back discounts and scan back reports for all promotions including bi-yearly and yearly EDAPs
6. Obtain and maintain product image files to be featured for Health Hotline ads
7. Proof Health Hotline ads
8. Create promotional sign spreadsheet and proof signs for promotions.
9. Create contest eligible-product lists

Pricing Coordination

1. Update and maintain new store discounts
2. Initial processing of price change files for Category Managers final retail pricing approval
3. Work with the Accounting Department on vendor invoicing issues
4. Assist with solving price and/or freight discrepancies
5. Any other assigned data scrubbing involving pricing

Core Set Coordination

1. Learn the basics of product placement guidelines on Vitamin HO SharePoint to provide guidance at the store level
2. Learn basics of supplement core sets and how to maintain the lists to provide guidance at the store level
3. Maintain distributor core set lists

Communications

1. Work with individual stores on questions involving special orders, new items, regular pricing, promotional pricing, product issues and any other questions they have.
2. Work with vendors and brokers to answer questions, ensure appropriate paperwork for new items, quality documents, pricing, promotions, item changes and issues as needed
3. Perform HR Meet and Greet trainings

Other

Any other duties or projects assigned by management Although this is a general outline of job responsibilities all employees are expected to be ''hands on'' and do whatever it takes to get the job done and make the company thrive.

Recipe for Success:

1. Minimum 3 years of experience in the natural foods industry with a working knowledge of schematics and merchandising; supplement and nutrition experience a plus
2. Must have Intermediate Microsoft Excel experience
3. Experience managing projects from inception to completion
4. Must be detail oriented with excellent organization skills
5. Strong relationship building, and influencing skills
6. Excellent communication skills are required
7. Ability to work as part of a team and independently

Physical Requirements

1. Must have the ability to lift 50 lbs, repetitive lifting up to 20 lbs
2. Must be able to carry up to 50 lbs Requires the use of both arms and both hands with full range of motion
3. Must be able to bend at the waist and knees, twist, push and pull on occasional basis
4. Must be able to kneel, squat, and climb as needed
5. Must be able to reach overhead and away from the body
6. Must be able to sit for 80%- 90% of the time

This job description is not an employment contract. It does not guarantee a job or that the above listed duties are the limit of responsibilities. The job and job description are subject to change with and without notice. Employees are required to accomplish any and all tasks assigned to him/her by their Manager and/or other Home Office managers that may not be listed in this job description.

Here’s an overview of the benefits we offer our good4u Crew to help ensure the health and wellbeing of you and your family, now and well into the future:

All Crew Members

• Birthday Bonus Pay 
• Vitamin Bucks (up to $2,080 earned as store credit annually) 
• Holiday Pay for 5 Holidays – Stores Closed
• Paid Time Off (sick days and vacation) that Increases with Tenure 
• Paid Nutrition Education 
• good4u Crew Member Discount  
• {N}power Program (customer appreciation and rewards program) 
• Regular, Scheduled Pay Increases  
• Advancement Opportunities and Career Development 
• Health and Wellness Program  
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)   
• Employee Referral Program

Full-Time Crew Members (30+ hours/week)

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance 
• Paid Parental Leave  
• Paid Medical Leave (through company paid short-term disability insurance) 
• Company Paid Short-Term Disability Insurance  
• Company Paid Life Insurance 
• Voluntary Benefits Including Hospital Indemnity, Accident Insurance, Long-Term Disability Insurance, Term Life Insurance   
• Retirement Savings Plan (401k) with discretionary Company Match  
• Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA)  
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with Company Match 

Diversity Statement

At the heart of Natural Grocers' commitment to our community and crew is this belief: All people should be empowered to experience health and wellbeing! We cannot be true to this conviction without honoring diversity and cultivating inclusion throughout every aspect of our organization.

At Natural Grocers, we honor our differences, embrace diversity, and cultivate inclusion because both individual and societal health are rooted in these principles. Our Crew is diverse not only in gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, abilities, and age but also in cultural backgrounds, thoughts, and ideas. Celebrating our diversity refreshes, expands, and shapes our perspective, energizing our mission of equitable access to health and wellness for all. We welcome everyone who would like to join us in this mission, with gratitude for the unique life experience each person brings to the table. We’re committed to nurturing an ecosystem of diversity and inclusion in which our Crew can continue to thrive.

Physical Capabilities and Environmental Demands:

N = Never

O = Occasional; 1-33% of time

F = Frequent; 34-66% of time

C = Constant; 67-100% of time

Physical Requirements:

• Must have the ability to constantly lift or carry up to 10 lbs., frequently lift or carry 11-20 lbs., and occasionally lift or carry 21-50 lbs. Must also have the ability to occasionally lift or carry 51-100 lbs. with a team lift.
• Must have the ability to frequently push or pull up to 15 lbs. and occasionally push or pull 16-100 lbs.
• Must be able to occasionally use the computer for data entry and use of mouse.
• Must be able to constantly walk, stand, use fine motor manipulations, grip, bend, twist, turn, and reach outward for the duration of the work shift.
• Must be able to frequently to reach above chest.
• Must be able to occasionally sit, squat, kneel, and climb as needed.

Environmental Requirements:

• Must be able to frequently work with sharp tools and equipment, dust, fumes, and congested worksite.
• Must be able to occasionally work with noise, cold, heat, wet, humid, outside, heights, and contact stress.