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Director of Buying

Location:

#0 - 800 South Shamrock Ave.

Job Location City

Monrovia

Job Location State

California

Job Location Zip Code

91016

Job Type:

Office Exempt

Starting Pay Rate:

$125,000 - $200,000 / year

Who are we?

Trader Joe's is your favorite neighborhood grocery store! With almost 600 stores nationwide (andgrowing), we are the place to be. Looking for something delicious and a friendly conversation? At Trader Joe's, you can find both. We love being your first and favorite place to shop.

What do we do?

Like shopping at Trader Joe's? Then, maybe you'll love working with us. We are looking for an experienced Director of Buying who is searching to do what they'll love! Do you have experience in leading the overall buying strategy for large retail brand? Do you love food? If so, read on! We may have the role of a lifetime for you!

Trader Joe's is unlike any place you've ever worked. Trust us on that. The qualified Director of Buying has at least 10 years of buying, procurement or merchandising experience and is a raving fan of the Trader Joe's concept. A Master's Degree in Supply Chain or Business Administration is strongly preferred. This role is based in our office in Monrovia, CA and we have an in office expectation of 5 days a week.

The Director of Buying is responsible for:

+ Develop and implement company‑wide buying strategies that align with product quality standards, supply chain goals, and customer and crew needs, while managing high‑impact product categories across all vendors and stores.

+ Lead and mentor a team of buyers and managers, fostering a Values‑Guide‑driven culture and ensuring consistent execution of best‑in‑class procurement practices.

+ Analyze market trends, consumer behavior, and supplier performance to inform strategic decisions, identify growth opportunities, and drive continuous improvement.

+ Collaborate with merchandising, marketing, operations, and distribution teams on promotional planning, seasonal assortments, and end‑to‑end supply chain strategies.

+ Establish and monitor KPIs for buying performance, inventory efficiency, and product quality, communicating insights, risks, and strategic recommendations to executive leadership while driving innovation through technology and data analytics.

The Director of Buying has:

+ 10+ years of progressive experience in buying, procurement, or merchandising within grocery retail or a related industry.

+ A bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Merchandising, or a related field, with a master’s degree preferred.

+ Advanced analytical, strategic, and negotiation capabilities, including expertise in contract management and cost optimization.

+ A proven record of leading large‑scale buying operations and driving strong vendor performance and accountability.

+ Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with experience influencing and partnering across all levels of the organization.

+ A deep knowledge of procurement strategies, demand planning, forecasting, and end‑to‑end supply chain optimization.

+ Strong data‑driven decision‑making skills, with proficiency in forecasting tools and technology‑enabled process improvements.

+ The ability to lead and develop high‑performing teams while thriving in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment with multiple priorities.

+ A flexible schedule that supports travel and variable hours as needed to meet business demands.

We want to hear from you!

We get a lot of resumes; so to help us get to know you better, please submit your resume and cover letter. When creating your cover letter, please answer these questions:

+ What is your favorite Trader Joe's product and why?

+ What makes you uniquely qualified for this position?

Trader Joe's is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to hiring a diverse Crew.