Buyer - International & Asian Foods

ABOUT SANWA FOOD GROUP Sanwa Food Group is a leading retail and foodservice distributor based in Tampa, Florida. With two foodservice distribution facilities and retail warehouse location, Sanwa serves restaurants, retailers, and consumers throughout the region. Our business is built on fresh produce, quality meats, core ingredients, and one of the most diverse international food assortments in the marketplace.

We are seeking an experienced Buyer

• International & Asian Foods to lead sourcing, purchasing, assortment development, and supplier relationships for our international grocery categories. This individual will play a critical role in identifying emerging products, expanding our assortment, strengthening vendor partnerships, and driving category growth across both our retail and foodservice channels.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Buyer

• International & Asian Foods is responsible for the strategic procurement and category management of international grocery products, with a primary focus on Asian food categories. The successful candidate will possess a deep understanding of international food trends, supplier networks, consumer preferences, and product sourcing opportunities. This position requires a balance of analytical skills, relationship management, merchandising knowledge, and commercial acumen to ensure Sanwa continues to offer a compelling, profitable, and differentiated assortment.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Source and procure international and Asian grocery products from domestic and international suppliers.
• Develop and maintain strong supplier, broker, importer, and manufacturer relationships.
• Negotiate pricing, programs, rebates, and purchasing agreements.
• Identify emerging product trends and opportunities to expand category offerings.
• Manage product assortment, item setup, and product lifecycle decisions.
• Analyze sales performance, margin results, and inventory metrics to optimize category profitability.
• Partner with operations and inventory teams to improve forecasting and product availability.
• Develop retail and food service product assortments that meet customer demand and market trends.
• Evaluate new products and coordinate launches across multiple business channels.
• Attend trade shows, supplier meetings, and industry events to identify sourcing opportunities.
• Collaborate with marketing and merchandising teams to support promotions, seasonal programs, and category growth initiatives.
• Monitor competitor assortments, pricing, and market trends.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• 5+ years of experience in grocery buying, procurement, sourcing, category management, or related fields.
• Strong knowledge of Asian and international food products.
• Experience managing supplier relationships and negotiating purchasing agreements.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret sales, margin, and inventory data.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and purchasing systems. Preferred
• Experience in wholesale distribution, foodservice distribution, grocery retail, or importing.
• Established supplier relationships within Asian food categories.
• Experience with imported products and international sourcing.
• Multilingual capabilities (Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Japanese, or other Asian languages).
• Familiarity with inventory planning and demand forecasting. WHY WORK WITH US
• Competitive hourly pay
• Opportunities for advancement
• Eligible for health, dental, & vision insurance (in addition to supplemental policies, life insurance, STD) after 90 days of employment
• Eligible to participate in Sanwa Food Group 401K investment policy after 6 months of employment (Sanwa matches up to 6%)
• Eligible for holiday pay after 90 days of employment
• Eligible for 2 weeks of PTO after 90 days
• Supportive team environment