Industry: Food
Location: Houston, TX
Salary: DOE
Visa Sponsor: No
Language: English: Business Level, Japanese: Business Level
Detail: A Japanese food trading company is seeking Japanese or Chinese bilingual Assistant Purchasing Manager
Essential Job Functions
• Issue purchase orders to suppliers based on the designated stock level and lead-time.
• Assist department manager to manage all purchasing department personnel matters and job performances.
• Maintain and analyze order receiving records from different suppliers, including but not limited to quality and quantity, and determine the best procurement option for the company.
• Evaluate and assure the qualities of received items are consistent with purchase orders.
• Ensure product quality by sampling and customer feedback; address problems to suppliers and resolve the issues.
• Research and select prospective vendors and negotiate prices/contracts.
• Coordinate with purchasing team to build and maintain relationships with suppliers; assure the quality of products, timely delivery, and compliance of contracts are consistently addressed.
• Set up vendor numbers and item stock numbers in a timely manner.
• Analyze and forecast product sales volume and market demands, and create purchase orders based on sales volume, demands, and inventory level.
• Assist department manager to manage all aspects of liquor, refrigerated, frozen, and dry food, non-food purchases, including sourcing, price negotiations, transportation planning, and product development.
• Count item inventory whenever the numbers are inconsistent to the warehouse inventory records.
• Frequently review inventory for discrepancies, large volume outbound orders, slow selling items, and expired items and work with the warehouse for resolutions.
• Develop and execute purchasing strategies to support the organization's business objectives.
• Coordinate quality inspections of incoming materials, verifying that goods meet required specifications and standards.
• Maintain and review supplier documentation, including Certificates of Analysis (COAs), safety data sheets (SDS), and audit results.
• Collaborate regularly with purchasing teams across branch locations in Texas; responsibilities include but are not limited to, coordinating supply planning, maintaining consistent stock levels, sharing best practices, identifying cost-saving opportunities and improving procurement efficiency.
• Attend Company events and functions outside of normal working hours.
• Other duties as required.
• Obligation to answer to all management as requested
Physical Requirements
• Able to sit and work in an office setting for extended periods.
• Able to use type and use the computer for extended periods.
• Able to reach, bend, kneel, and lift and/or move up to 40 pounds occasionally.
• Working Conditions
o Noise Level: Normal to loud while in the office
Other Requirements
• Business level English required – read/write/speak/listen.
• Business level Japanese or Chinese required – read/write/speak/listen.
• Maintain a positive attitude.
• Able to work independently and efficiently as a team.
• Able to adapt to frequent changes in assignments and workload.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Business or other related field required.
• 3+ years of Japanese food purchasing experiences required.
Knowledge and Skills
• Demonstrate excellent organizational and time management skills, with strong attention to detail.
• Possess intermediate mathematical knowledge - profit margin calculations, markups, discounts, combining/converting measurements, counting inventory, etc.
• Strong customer service and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Advanced Microsoft Office proficiency.
• Knowledge of ERP systems.
• Knowledge of Japanese foods/non-food items and kitchen supplies.
