Buyer I

For over 111 years, Y. Hata has proudly supported Hawaiʻi’s foodservice industry as a trusted, locally owned, family-run business. Our legacy is built not only on excellence, but on lasting relationships, tradition, and a deep commitment to our community.

At Y. Hata, we’re dedicated to providing a purpose-driven workplace where every team member is embraced as part of our ʻOhana, and where dedication and heart are met with opportunity, support, and growth. As we continue to grow, our focus remains on cultivating a positive, engaging culture rooted in our Core Values — one where people feel valued, supported, and inspired to thrive.

If you’re looking to make a meaningful impact and grow with purpose, we invite you to become part of the next chapter in our legacy of heart and excellence.

Salary Range: $52,000 to $77,700

Position Summary Description:

The Buyer is responsible for supporting the procurement of food products and supplies in alignment with company standards, inventory needs, and Customer demand. Working under the guidance of Purchasing leadership, this role sources vendors, evaluates purchase orders, monitors stock levels, and ensures timely delivery of goods. Buyers are expected to stay up to date on factors influencing inventory levels such as seasonality, consumer-purchasing patterns, logistics changes and ensure products are procured at minimal cost to the company.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Understands the supply chain as it relates to our industry and how purchasing fits into and impacts the end-to-end food service distribution process.
• Manages inventory in assigned categories/products with accuracy and efficiency. Proficient in all tasks related to inventory management including, but not limited to, setting up a new item, forecasting, ordering the correct items in appropriate quantities, providing solutions for shortages, managing expiration dates, and managing the purchase order process.
• Ensures integrity of perpetual inventory system through timely information update and accurate data entry/maintenance.
• Possesses strong analytical and decision-making skills to proactively manage our inventory levels, considering various considerations such as customer need, cost, seasonality, purchasing patterns, logistical challenges, etc.
• Develops positive and productive relationships with vendors and brokers. Troubleshoots vendor issues and handles basic negotiations, understanding the individual relationship of each vendor and taking appropriate action and risk as needed. Identifies opportunities within our vendor relationships.
• Assigns appropriate urgency to day-to-day tasks and issues and takes necessary action to resolve problems. Understands how to prevent problems by taking a proactive approach.
• Utilizes information from reporting appropriately and takes action as needed based on the needs and urgency of the business. Handles business in a timely and accurate manner.
• Aligns with Sales, Business Development, Logistics, and Operations to make strategic decisions and recommendations to improve efficiency, increase profitability, decrease cost, etc. Minimizes financial risk through item monitoring and collaboration with Inventory Control and Quality Assurance.
• Uses the Company’s Mission/Vision Statements, Core Values, and Road to Haleiwa strategy as their guiding principles.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Qualifications:

Education/Training and Experience

• Associate’s Degree in Business Administration or related field and/or
• One to two years of buying experience, food service industry preferred.

Communication Skills

• Must possess a high level of verbal and written communication skills, with proficient vendor negotiation skills.
• Must be able to communicate with internal and external associates in an effective, professional, persuasive manner to maintain good business relationships.

Other Skills

• Must be able to perform basic to moderately difficult mathematical functions involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, averages, and percentages.
• Able to effectively utilize Microsoft Office 365 applications (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).
• Demonstrates intermediate proficiency in various position-specific systems including, for example, Dynamics, Salesforce, Trackmax, Clarity, FCS, Dokmee, etc.
• Must be well organized, with the ability to multi-task, time-manage, and be very flexible with changing priorities.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand and/or walk for long periods of time with frequent opportunities to stretch or rest. This position involves extensive computer work and telephone communications. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Working Environment:

The working environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to comfortable levels of temperature, ventilation, lighting, and noise. Exposure to outside weather conditions is occasional.

Equipment Used:

Daily use of a computer and telephone. Frequent use of a copy/printer machine. Occasional use of a calculator.

Days/Hours of Work:

Position hours are Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Evening and weekend hours may also be required.

Why You’ll Love Working at Y. Hata

We believe our employees deserve more than just a paycheck. Our comprehensive benefits package is designed to support your well-being, growth, and success — both on and off the job.

• Rewarding Compensation – Competitive pay, merit increases, and flexible pay options.
• Your Health Matters – Robust medical, vision, and life insurance; EAP support.
• Time to Recharge – PTO, paid holidays, and floating holidays.
• More Than Just Perks – Paid parking, safety gear, uniforms, celebrations, discounts.
• Investing in You – Tuition assistance and development opportunities.
• Plan for Tomorrow – 401(k), Roth 401(k), and After-Tax 401(k) with company match.

Y. Hata & Co., Limited is an equal opportunity employer. We believe in hiring a diverse workforce and people-first culture. We are committed to non-discrimination on any protected basis, including disability and veteran status, or any other basis covered under applicable law.