Senior Beverage Buyer

A nationally recognized wholesale and retail organization - serving restaurants, hospitality groups, and specialty grocers - is expanding its beverage division. They are seeking a commercially minded Senior Beverage Buyer to shape category strategy, strengthen supplier partnerships, and keep fast-moving inventory flowing smoothly. This high-impact role will own end-to-end procurement for beer, wine, spirits, and non-alcoholic beverages, helping the company delight customers and outpace the market. This Role Offers: Competitive base salary with performance bonus potential. Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans. Company-matched 401(k). Hybrid flexibility - work from home once a week after training. Career-long learning resources and clear paths for advancement. Focus: Build and execute sourcing strategies that balance cost, quality, and supply continuity for all beverage categories. Cultivate long-term partnerships with national and regional beverage suppliers, negotiating pricing, volume incentives, and marketing programs. Analyze demand signals with Excel, BI dashboards, and POS data to forecast accurately and maintain optimal service levels. Lead cross-functional planning for seasonal promotions, new item launches, and limited-time offers, ensuring flawless execution and post-event analysis. Monitor key metrics - gross margin, turns, aging inventory, on-time fill rates—and drive corrective action when targets are missed. Champion risk-mitigation plans to address market volatility, regulatory shifts, and logistics disruptions. Mentor junior buyers and analysts, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and data-driven decision making. Partner with finance and AP teams to reconcile invoices and resolve variances quickly. Align all purchasing activity with company policies and relevant federal, state, and local beverage regulations. Skill Set: Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Finance, or a related field. 7 plus years of progressive buying, category management, or procurement experience within a high-volume retail, wholesale, or foodservice environment. Demonstrated success negotiating beverage or perishable categories. Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, XLOOKUP, Power Query) and familiarity with ERP or purchasing platforms. Skilled communicator who influences vendors and cross-functional peers. Proven ability to juggle multiple priorities in a deadline-driven setting. About Blue Signal: Blue Signal is an award-winning, executive search firm specializing in food & agriculture recruitment. Our food & agriculture recruiting team unites professionals in agribusiness, food processing, and agricultural technology with innovative companies. Learn more at

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