Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Floral Buyer

🎯 Role Definition

As a Floral Buyer, you will be the strategic heart of our floral program, responsible for the entire procurement lifecycle from source to distribution. You will cultivate strong relationships with growers worldwide, negotiate contracts, and analyze market trends to ensure we offer the most beautiful, fresh, and innovative products. This position requires a unique blend of analytical prowess, negotiation expertise, and a deep passion for horticulture. You will be instrumental in managing inventory, achieving financial targets, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive the category's success and growth.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Assistant Buyer / Associate Buyer
Procurement Coordinator (Perishables)
Floral Department Manager or Specialist

Advancement To:

Senior Floral Buyer / Procurement Manager
Category Manager - Floral & Gifting
Director of Sourcing / Director of Procurement

Lateral Moves:

Supply Chain Analyst
Product Developer (Floral)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Develop and execute comprehensive sourcing strategies for a diverse portfolio of fresh-cut flowers, foliage, and plants from domestic and international farms.
Build, nurture, and maintain strong, long-term strategic partnerships with a global network of growers, vendors, and suppliers.
Lead all aspects of price, quality, and contract negotiation to secure favorable terms and achieve cost-saving and margin targets.
Place and manage daily, weekly, and seasonal purchase orders, ensuring timely delivery and alignment with sales forecasts and inventory requirements.
Continuously monitor and analyze market conditions, including weather patterns, freight costs, and geopolitical factors, to proactively mitigate supply chain risks.
Conduct regular quality control inspections upon product arrival, collaborating with warehouse and quality assurance teams to resolve any issues regarding freshness, grade, or specifications.
Manage the entire open-to-buy process, including forecasting, inventory planning, and maintaining optimal stock levels to maximize sales and minimize waste (shrink).
Analyze sales data, historical trends, and performance metrics to identify opportunities for growth, assortment optimization, and improved profitability.
Travel internationally and domestically to visit growers, attend trade shows, and inspect farm operations to discover new products and strengthen vendor relationships.
Collaborate closely with the merchandising and marketing teams to plan promotional activities, seasonal assortments, and new product launches.
Develop and maintain a deep knowledge of floral varieties, seasonal availability, care, and handling best practices to serve as a subject matter expert.
Resolve complex logistical and supply chain challenges, including customs clearance, transportation delays, and freight coordination.
Drive the product development process by identifying new floral trends, unique varieties, and innovative bouquet concepts to maintain a competitive edge.
Prepare and present regular business reviews, performance reports, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership.
Ensure all sourced products and supplier practices comply with company standards for quality, ethics, and sustainability.
Manage claims and credit processes with vendors for any product that does not meet established quality specifications.
Forecast demand and supply for key holidays and peak seasons (e.g., Valentine's Day, Mother's Day) to ensure product availability and capitalize on sales opportunities.
Evaluate and onboard new growers and suppliers through a rigorous vetting process to expand and diversify the supply base.
Champion continuous improvement initiatives within the procurement process to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve product quality.
Maintain accurate data within procurement systems, including item specifications, costs, and vendor information.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis to inform strategic decisions.
Contribute to the organization's sustainability and ethical sourcing strategy and roadmap.
Collaborate with business units to translate floral assortment needs into precise sourcing and engineering requirements.
Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the merchandising and supply chain teams.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Advanced Negotiation Skills: Proven ability to negotiate pricing, terms, and contracts effectively with a diverse range of global suppliers.
Data Analysis & Excel Proficiency: Strong capability to analyze complex datasets, build forecasts, and manage budgets using advanced Excel functions (VLOOKUP, PivotTables, etc.).
Procurement & ERP Software: Hands-on experience with procurement software and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite).
Supply Chain & Logistics Management: Deep understanding of global logistics, freight, customs, and cold chain management for perishable goods.
Horticultural Knowledge: Extensive knowledge of floral and plant species, seasonality, grading standards, and proper care and handling techniques.
Financial Acumen: Strong understanding of cost modeling, margin analysis, P&L statements, and budget management.
Bilingual Communication (Spanish/English): High proficiency or fluency in Spanish is often strongly preferred for communication with growers in Latin America.

Soft Skills

Relationship Building: Exceptional ability to build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Problem-Solving: Proactive and resourceful in identifying and resolving complex supply chain, quality, and logistical issues under pressure.
Attention to Detail: Meticulous and highly organized, with a keen eye for quality and accuracy in orders, data, and product.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with rapidly changing priorities and market conditions.
Strong Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present data and recommendations clearly and persuasively.
Autonomy & Initiative: A self-starter who can work independently, manage their own workload, and take ownership of the floral category.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent professional experience in a related field.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor's or Master's Degree in a relevant field of study.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Horticulture / Agriculture
Supply Chain Management
Business Administration / International Business
Merchandising

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3-7 years of progressive experience in buying, procurement, or category management.

Preferred: Direct buying experience with perishable products, especially fresh flowers, produce, or plants, is highly desirable. Experience working directly with international growers and farms is a significant plus.