Seed Buyer

Job DetailsJob Location: Green Circle Growers Inc - OBERLIN, OH 44074Job Category: Supply ChainGreen Circle Growers was founded in 1968 by John van Wingerden. With just a few acres, Green Circle Growers began selling to other companies like variety stores, lumber yards, hardware stores, and grocery stores. Today, Green Circle Growers is still owned and operated by the van Wingerden family and has grown to over 170 acres of indoor growing space. Our state of the art greenhouses offer many different environments to keep up with the demanding mix of products that todays market expects. We now provide plants to regional and national stores across the United States and Canada. We are able to market and offer broad products to mass merchants, as well as to growers. The retail market expects the full line of annuals in flats, containers, and baskets. The grower line produces prefinished containers, plugs, and liners.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Seed Buyer is responsible for executing purchasing activities to ensure a consistent, high quality, and cost effective supply of seed products to support customer demand and operational plans. This role works closely with suppliers, Operations, Express Seed Company Sales, and Logistics to manage purchase orders, inventory levels, Sales Orders, and supplier performance while supporting seasonal planning and continuous improvement initiatives.

JOB DUTIES

Purchasing and Supplier Coordination

Issue and manage purchase orders in alignment with inventory and production plans

Proactively monitor open purchase orders and expedite with suppliers to ensure on time delivery

Maintain and support supplier relationships, including onboarding new vendors as needed

Assist with pricing discussions and support the resolution of delivery, quantity, or quality issues in a timely manner

Partner with the Sales team on inventory shortages by identifying alternatives and recommending viable substitutions

Prioritize high quality customer support, quick response times, and a flexible make to order business strategy to meet customer needs

Inventory and Demand Support

Track inventory levels and support inventory target goals

Analyze demand plans, historical data, and sales inputs to support purchasing decisions

Coordinate with Sales and Operations to align purchasing activity with customer requirements

Identify and help mitigate slow moving or excess inventory through targeted actions

Systems, Data, and Reporting

Create and maintain item numbers and related master data in ERP systems

Generate, review, and analyze purchasing and inventory reports to drive decisions

Reconcile purchase orders, receiving transactions, and supplier invoices to ensure data integrity and accurate costing

Logistics and Collaboration

Coordinate shipments, deliveries, and order expediting as required

Support international sourcing, freight coordination, and documentation when applicable

Communicate supply status updates internally to support order fulfillment

Assist with auditing of item production setups in partnership with Sales and Growing teams

Continuous Improvement

Participate in cross functional process improvement and continuous improvement initiatives

Support data accuracy, reporting enhancements, and workflow efficiencies

Provide backup coverage for other buyers as needed

All other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Associate or Bachelors degree in Business, Supply Chain, Agriculture, or related field, or equivalent experience

1 to 3+ years of purchasing, procurement, inventory, or supply chain experience

Experience in seed, horticulture, agriculture, or greenhouse industries preferred

Exposure to international sourcing, imports, or customs processes preferred

Inventory, demand planning, or warehouse experience preferred

Experience using ERP systems (Microsoft NAV, NetSuite, or similar)

Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel

Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and follow through

Effective written and verbal communication skills

Strong planning and prioritization skills

Analytical and problem solving skills

Exceptional supplier and internal stakeholder communication

Ability to manage multiple tasks in a seasonal, fast paced environment

Ability to collaborate with a team collaboration and adapt to changing priorities

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT AND REQUIREMENTS

Climate controlled office or home office environment

Continuously requires vision, hearing, twisting, and talking

Frequently requires sitting, standing, fine dexterity, and handling

Occasionally requires walking, climbing stairs, lifting (up to 20lbs), carrying, reaching, kneeling, pushing/pulling, bending, and crouching

Rarely requires climbing

Qualifications