Center of Plate (COP) Buyer

Description

Navis Food Partners, a leading foodservice company with annual revenues of $600 million, is currently seeking a highly qualified Center of Plate (COP) Buyer for its Prime Source Foods business based in Londonderry, NH.  

The Center of Plate (COP) Buyer is responsible for the strategic sourcing, procurement, and management of all protein products (beef, pork, poultry, seafood, and other center-of-plate items) to meet operational, customer, and financial objectives. This individual ensures an optimal balance of cost, quality, and availability while supporting sales growth, maintaining vendor relationships, and minimizing waste.

Key Responsibilities:

Procurement & Vendor Management

• Source, evaluate, and negotiate with suppliers to ensure consistent, high-quality protein product supply.
• Build and maintain strong vendor relationships and ensure adherence to quality and service expectations.
• Manage vendor performance through KPIs, scorecards, and regular reviews.
• Resolve supply chain issues including delivery delays, product substitutions, quality discrepancies, and invoicing errors.

Inventory & Cost Control

• Maintain targeted inventory levels aligned with forecasted demand and shelf-life constraints.
• Monitor protein market trends, industry forecasts, and commodity pricing to make proactive purchasing decisions.
• Execute strategic buys and optimize freight to reduce cost of goods and improve margins.
• Participate in budgeting and forecasting for protein categories.

Sales & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Provide timely product availability and pricing information to the sales team.
• Recommend customer-specific pricing structures based on volume, profitability, and market conditions.
• Collaborate with the culinary team and marketing to support product education, sales training, and vendor demonstrations.
• Assist in the development and maintenance of proprietary or branded product lines.

Operational Support

• Respond quickly to emergency product needs, stockouts, and substitution requests.
• Ensure accuracy of purchase orders, lead times, and delivery schedules in coordination with warehouse and logistics.
• Manage special orders and assist with new product onboarding and item setup.
• Support food safety, traceability, and product specification compliance initiatives.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED required. Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Food Science or related field preferred or equivalent experience. 
• 3+ years of experience in purchasing or procurement, ideally in foodservice distribution and/or protein categories. 
• Strong negotiation, analytical, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Working knowledge of protein specifications, yields, and grading (e.g., USDA beef grades, portion control standards) is highly desirable.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, ERP systems, and purchasing software.

Core Competencies:

• Strategic Sourcing & Market Insight: Demonstrates a strong understanding of protein markets, including product specifications, seasonal trends, and pricing dynamics. Uses this knowledge to source high-quality products, negotiate favorable terms, and drive cost-effective decisions.
• Analytical Thinking & Problem Solving: Applies data and market insights to make sound purchasing decisions, optimize inventory levels, manage costs, and solve supply chain challenges quickly and effectively.
• Communication & Influence: Communicates clearly and persuasively with vendors, internal teams, and stakeholders. Builds trust and alignment across departments while maintaining vendor accountability.
• Collaboration & Cross-Functional Partnership: Works effectively with sales, operations, and warehouse teams to ensure purchasing decisions align with business goals. Supports sales efforts with timely and relevant product knowledge.
• Adaptability & Agility: Thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. Responds effectively to shifting priorities, supply issues, and customer needs while maintaining composure and focus.
• Detail Orientation & Organization: Maintains precision in purchasing records, pricing, product specs, and order accuracy. Balances multiple priorities with strong organizational skills and follow-through.
• Customer & Results Focus: Keeps internal and external customer satisfaction at the forefront. Acts with urgency and accountability to deliver operational excellence and drive margin improvement.
• Continuous Improvement Mindset: Actively looks for ways to enhance processes, reduce waste, and improve cost efficiency. Brings a proactive approach to learning, feedback, and professional development.