Buyer

Description:

Tokyo Gardens Company (TGC) is a Houston-based company providing full-service sushi and Asian food operations in retail stores, universities and corporate offices nationwide for over 20 years. Our company is growing rapidly, and every team member plays a key role in that growth. Our success is driven by delivering real results for our clients. It's also enabled by our culture, which supports personal growth and development, fosters an inclusive work culture, and rewards innovation and excellence.

To learn more about us, please visit www.tgcsushi.com / www.sushicllc.com

JOB TITLE: Buyer

Position Description:

The Buyer is responsible for sourcing, selecting, and managing relationships with domestic and international vendors to support a strong and competitive product assortment. This role negotiates pricing and contract terms, maintains P&L performance for assigned categories, and ensures inventory accuracy through effective purchasing plans aligned with forecasts and promotional needs. The Buyer collaborates closely with warehouse, accounting, and R&D teams to resolve fulfillment issues, reconcile costs, ensure product quality, and support new product development and launches. A successful candidate is a detail-driven, curious, and strategic partner who excels at vendor management, cross-functional collaboration, and maintaining a seamless flow of products across the supply chain.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Vendor Management

• Source, select and maintain relationships with domestic and international vendors.
• Negotiate pricing, terms and contracts with vendors to optimize cost savings, secure favorable business terms, and drive continuous supply chain improvements.
• Explore the market with curiosity, staying ahead of new product trends and innovations to expand assortment opportunities.
• Manage day-to-day P&L performance, ensuring delivery of revenue, gross profit, and margin targets.

Inventory Management

• Build and execute purchasing plans aligned with demand forecasts, seasonality, and promotional calendars.
• Collaborate with the warehouse team to resolve fulfillment issues in real time and ensure smooth product flow.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date item catalog content, pricing, and vendor terms.
• Partner with accounting to reconcile invoices, credits, and cost updates.

Collaboration with R&D Department

• Connect R&D with current/ new suppliers who can provide unique ingredients, packaging, or processing capabilities.
• Ensure sourced materials meet quality, regulatory, and clean-label requirements.
• Work with R&D to evaluate the cost structure of new products and ensure they can be priced competitively while meeting margin goals.
• Partner with R&D to forecast demand, assess tariff, logistics, and vendor MOQ impacts, and develop purchasing plans that support new product launches and ongoing supply, ensuring seamless flow from procurement through warehouse to store shelves.

Requirements:

• 3+ years of purchasing and/or procurement experience in a retail, wholesale, or distribution environment.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Business, Supply Chain, Marketing, or related field (preferred).
• Strong negotiation, communication, and relationship-building skills with domestic and international vendors.
• Ability to work & learn quickly in a changing & fast-paced environment.
• Analytical mindset with proficiency in G Suite, Excel, ERP, or retail management systems.
• Collaborative team player with curiosity and passion for food, consumer trends, and retail innovation.
• Knowledge of grocery retail trends, seasonality, and product lifecycle management is preferred.
• Effective verbal & written communication skills with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to travel - 10%.

Benefits:

• Paid Time Off
• Paid health benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Short Term Disability insurance)
• 401k plan with company match
• Annual bonus incentive

Additional Information:

• Work location: Onsite Houston HQ office, Monday to Friday
• Job Type: Full Time

Tokyo Gardens Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.