Buyer

At Caribou Coffee we create day-making experiences that spark a chain reaction ofGOOD!  This is our purpose.  Our team brings this to life by focusing on what’s really important around here –TEAM, GUEST, BUSINESS!  It’s that simple.  If you’re ready to work somewhere you can be yourself while making an impact on your community, creating life-long relationships, and serving the best coffee around, join our herd!  Apply today and be part of the ‘Bou Crew!

Position Overview: 

TheBuyerworks within the Sourcing and Inventory Management Team todevelopand maintain a reliable, diverse supplier network anddemand planning strategy that drivesglobalretail sales growth, achieves cost and expense objectives, and supports unit growth through optimized and efficient inventory asset utilization.  TheBuyer partners externally withsuppliers and distributors and internally with Inventory Analysts, Product Innovation,StoreOperations,CoffeeOperations, Supply Chain, Quality Assurance, Legal, License, Franchise, and Finance teams to implement sourcing and demand planning strategies and tactics in support of delivering Caribou’s Company goals and objectives. 

TheBuyeris responsible for Identifying, developing, andmaintaining strategic vendor partnerships, managing contracts, and leading product cost negotiations to ensure the best quality goods and services at the best cost. TheBuyer will also collect,validate, and aggregate multi-channelinventorydemand forecasts to support inbound supply planning, efficient inventory flow, and reliable outbound replenishment. 

Core Responsibilities:   

Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Management 

• ExecuteCaribou’s strategic sourcing vision and roadmap to support growthobjectives and sourcing-related ESG commitmentsandto inform the company’s annual operating and long-range planning processes  

• Manage a supplier matrix to ensure strong partnerships and reliable, cost-effective access to all inventoryrequired to deliver sales, profit, and qualityobjectives across all business channels.  

• Partner withCulinary R&D, Category Management,Store Operations,Manufacturing,andSupply ChainTeams to develop and enable sourcing solutions that fully integrate intoProductLifecycle processes  

• Manage supplier relationships, including forecast and demand analytics, to inform negotiations and achieve best cost of goods  

• Obtain services and source materials from suppliers at the lowest total cost consistent with considerations of quality, reliability of source, risk to the business and urgency of need   

• Conduct regular business reviews with suppliers and internal business partners, executing sourcing strategies based on quality, delivery, cost, and market conditions  

• Recommend sources of supply to Category Managers;maintainan accurate knowledge of supplier capabilities, industry trends, market pricing, and consumer insights  

• Facilitate the contract management process and negotiate new/expiring contracts for assigned categories to ensure new supplier onboarding and business continuity with existing suppliers  

• Work cross-functionally to lead new supplier certification and onboarding,including compliance with Caribou quality assurance, contract, and warehouse/logistics requirements 

• Perform analytics,identify gaps, and develop projects to drive cost out of the business while protecting the quality and serviceobjectives of the business  

• Maintain an item cost management model for assigned categories that provides visibility to all item cost componentsandsupports ongoing cost monitoring with suppliers and distribution partners  

• Lead RFP process for new and existing assortment items to make informed assortment selection recommendations considering product cost breakdowns and associatedlogistics and transportation costs  

• Manage ERP (Great Plains) &FoodLogiQ item systems maintenance, including SKU and supplier master data, cost detail, and specification requirements  

• In collaboration with the InventoryManagement Team,monitor and manage KPIs includinginstocks,forecastvariance,turnover,fill rate, andunproductiveinventory, and address supplier challenges to reconcile quantity and on time shipment variances and manage corrective action needs  

• In collaboration with Quality Assurance, address supplier challenges and manage corrective action needs including voluntary withdrawal and product recall processes to ensure financial accountabilityin accordance with contract terms  

• In collaboration with Finance, Accounts Payable, and Inventory Analyst resolving invoicing discrepancies with suppliers  

Demand Planning 

• In collaboration withCategory Management, Store Operations,Finance, and Inventory Analyst teams develop annual operating plans, COGS spend, and margin forecasts 

• Forecast andvalidate short and long-term demand aggregated across all channels and segmentation strategies to support Product Lifecycle processes, inbound supply planning, efficient inventory flow, reliable outbound replenishment, and optimized store inventory levels  

• Collaborate withCategory Management,Store Operations, Inventory Analysts,Supply Chain, andsuppliers to ensureappropriate inventory controls across KPIs to protect daily in stock position and prevent end of program write-offs  

• Perform post-set chase/cancel analysis for all new and promotional items to ensure effective inventory controls, supply, and mitigate unproductive inventory and disposition liability   

• Supportcategory in stocks, optimized inventory turns, and reduced unproductive inventory by collaborating with the InventoryManagement Team to ensureaccurate weekly forecasts, effective purchase order management, and distribution planning practices  

Skills and Requirements: 

• Bring Caribou’s Core Values to life in all that you do: Support One Another, Make Fun Happen, Be Yourself, Take Ownership, Serve with Love  

• Ensure focus of work aligns withCaribou’sstrategic sourcing vision and roadmap  

• Build andmaintain productive, trusted relationships with peers, leaders, cross functional partners, and suppliers  

• Consider diverse perspectives and collaborate cross-functionally to influence business decisions grounded in data-based analytics  

• Articulate business decisions based on data analytics in a clear, concise, andtimely manner  

• Demonstrate a results-oriented, entrepreneurial mindset, proven sense of urgency, anddemonstrate strong initiative towards business needs, problem solving, data analytics, process management, critical thinking, and makingtimely decisions  

• Work both independently and collaboratively, manage and follow through multi-step project steps/procedures consistently  

• Demonstrate a willingness to learn, work with others, consider diverse perspectives, innovate, hold yourself accountable, and recognize others’ contributions  

• Prioritize guest and team whenestablishing plans and decision frameworks  

• Maintain focus on long-term goals while managing day-to-day responsibilities  

Qualifications: 

• 4-year degree in relevant field 

• Minimum 3 years of experienceinstrategicsourcing orpurchasing, preferably in food or beverage product categories 

• Proven experience inbusiness and financial planning,supplier relationship management, andcontractmanagement (sourcing /purchasing focus) 

Physical Requirements: 

The physical requirements for this position include sitting, standing, bending, lifting, and moving intermittently during working hours. These physical requirements must beaccomplished with or without reasonable accommodation.  

The duties of this position may change from time to time. Caribou reserves the right to add ordelete duties and responsibilities at the discretion of Caribou or its managers. This job description is intended to describe the general level of work being performed. It is not intended to beall-inclusive. 

Caribou Coffee Operating Company,Inc. and its affiliates are proud to be Equal Opportunity Employers to all applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type based on any characteristic protected by federal,state or local laws.We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, genderidentity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special needthat requires accommodation, please let us know.  

Compensation Range:

*Starting pay is subject to Local and State Minimum Wage regulations.

**Ranges reflect what employer reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for such position.

The physical demands for this position are reaching, lifting up to 50 pounds, sitting, standing, for 4 to 8 hours, bending, and moving intermittently during working hours. These physical demands may be accomplished with or without reasonable accommodations.

The duties of this position may change from time to time. Caribou Coffee reserves the right to add or delete duties and responsibilities at the discretion of the company or its managers. This job description is intended to describe the general level of work being performed. It is not intended to be all-inclusive.

Caribou Coffee Operating Company, Inc. and its affiliates are proud to be Equal Opportunity Employers to all applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type based on any characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.

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