Purchasing Specialist / Buyer – Bilingual Chinese & English (Cantonese Preferred)

Full-Time | In-Person | Chinatown, NYC About Us Po Wing Hong Food Market is a family-owned food business serving New York City since 1979. Based in Chinatown, we specialize in Asian groceries, traditional Chinese ingredients, dried seafood, herbs, and everyday pantry staples. Our wholesale division, Po Wing Trading, also supplies restaurants and foodservice customers throughout New York City. As we continue to modernize and grow, we are looking for an experienced, bilingual Buyer / Purchasing Specialist to join our team and help strengthen our purchasing operations. Position Overview We are seeking a dependable and organized Buyer / Purchasing Specialist who is fluent in Cantonese and English to manage purchasing, vendor relationships, product sourcing, and inventory planning. The ideal candidate has at least 3 years of purchasing or related experience, preferably in the food, grocery, wholesale, distribution, or restaurant supply industry. Familiarity with Chinese groceries, Cantonese-style foods, and Asian food suppliers is a plus. This is a hands-on position for someone who is comfortable communicating with vendors, negotiating prices, managing inventory needs, and working closely with different departments. Key Responsibilities Manage purchasing and replenishment for assigned products and categories. Review inventory levels and sales activity to determine purchasing needs. Prepare and place purchase orders accurately and on time. Develop and maintain strong relationships with vendors and suppliers. Negotiate pricing, payment terms, promotions, and purchasing conditions. Source and evaluate new products and suppliers based on quality, cost, and customer demand. Compare vendor quotations and identify opportunities to improve purchasing costs and margins. Monitor slow-moving, overstocked, and out-of-stock products. Coordinate with warehouse, retail, wholesale, and accounting teams regarding purchasing and inventory needs. Follow up with vendors regarding orders, shortages, credits, pricing discrepancies, and delivery issues. Maintain accurate purchasing records, vendor information, and product costs. Stay informed about market pricing, product availability, and seasonal demand. Assist management with improving purchasing procedures, inventory controls, and operational efficiency. Perform other purchasing and operational duties as needed. Qualifications Required Fluent in Cantonese and English . Minimum 3 years of purchasing, buying, procurement, or related experience. Strong communication, negotiation, and vendor management skills. Good organizational skills and attention to detail. Basic understanding of inventory management, pricing, and product costs. Comfortable using Excel, spreadsheets, and general business software. Ability to manage multiple orders, vendors, and deadlines. Responsible, dependable, and willing to learn. Positive attitude and ability to work well with others. Preferred Experience in food, grocery, wholesale, distribution, or restaurant supply. Familiarity with Chinese groceries, Cantonese-style foods, and Asian food products. Experience working with Chinese-speaking vendors and suppliers. Ability to read and write Chinese. Experience with inventory management or purchasing software. What We're Looking For We are looking for someone who wants to become an important part of our business, not simply process purchase orders. The right candidate will take initiative, build strong vendor relationships, make thoughtful purchasing decisions, and help us improve how we manage products and inventory. We value experience, organization, reliability, confidentiality, and a positive attitude . We welcome individuals who are eager to learn, contribute ideas, and grow with our company. Pay: $25.00 - $30.00 per hour Benefits: 401(k) Health insurance Paid time off Language: Cantonese (Required) Work Location: In person

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