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Beef Buyer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Monitoring market shifts in beef, poultry, and pork to formulate buying strategies. * Manage and maintain the entire Purchase-to-Pay process, covering: * PO Creation * Vendor Confirmation * Accurate ...

Buyer I

Wylie, TX · On-site

$50K - $58K/yr

As a Buyer at Cates, you'll be joining a company that is not only committed to innovation and ... Our customers make roofing shingles, fry potato chips, roast coffee, process poultry and beef ...

The Maintenance Buyer is responsible for the strategic procurement and management of Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) materials supporting a highly automated USDA-regulated beef stick ...

Team Member

Reading, PA · On-site

$12 - $15/hr

... buying process Cleaning, sanitizing, and maintaining a food safe work environment Occasional re ... beef, pork, deli, cheeses, and smoked meats

Team Member

Reading, PA · On-site

$12 - $15/hr

... buying process Cleaning, sanitizing, and maintaining a food safe work environment Occasional re ... beef, pork, deli, cheeses, and smoked meats

Vice President, Customer Value & Growth

Madison, WI · On-site

$139K - $178K/yr

ABOUT THE COMPANY URUS is a family of businesses at the heart of the dairy and beef industry - Alta ... Oversee activation programs that convert engaged buyers into customers, including digital journeys ...

Vice President, Customer Value & Growth

Madison, WI · On-site

$139K - $178K/yr

ABOUT THE COMPANY URUS is a family of businesses at the heart of the dairy and beef industry - Alta ... convert engaged buyers into customers, including digital journeys, proof-of-value frameworks ...

ABOUT THE COMPANY URUS is a family of businesses at the heart of the dairy and beef industry - Alta ... Oversee activation programs that convert engaged buyers into customers, including digital journeys ...

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Beef Buyer information

See salary details

$34.5K

$68.4K

$102.5K

How much do beef buyer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for beef buyer in the United States is $68,384.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $55,000.00 and $79,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges Beef Buyers face when negotiating with suppliers, and how can they navigate them?

Beef Buyers often encounter challenges such as fluctuating market prices, varying quality standards, and limited supply due to seasonal or environmental factors. Successfully navigating these issues typically requires maintaining strong relationships with multiple suppliers, staying informed about market trends, and having a solid understanding of product specifications. Effective communication and negotiation skills are essential, as is the ability to adapt quickly to changes in demand or supply chain disruptions. Collaborating closely with quality assurance and logistics teams also helps ensure that purchasing decisions align with company standards and customer expectations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Beef Buyer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Beef Buyer, you need strong knowledge of meat grading, supply chain management, and procurement, often supported by experience in food purchasing or a related degree. Familiarity with inventory management software, quality assurance standards, and industry certifications like HACCP is typically required. Strong negotiation, relationship-building, and attention to detail are crucial soft skills for success in this position. These skills ensure the consistent sourcing of high-quality beef at competitive prices while maintaining food safety and supplier reliability.

How much does a cattle buyer make?

A cattle buyer, also known as a beef buyer, typically earns between $40,000 and $70,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the size of the operation. Some may earn higher with additional skills in negotiation and market analysis, especially in larger or more competitive markets.

What does a Beef Buyer do?

A Beef Buyer is responsible for sourcing and purchasing beef products for retailers, wholesalers, or food service companies. They evaluate suppliers, negotiate prices and contracts, and ensure that the beef meets quality and safety standards. Beef Buyers must stay informed about market trends, supply chain issues, and regulatory requirements to make cost-effective purchasing decisions. Their role is crucial in maintaining consistent inventory and delivering high-quality beef to customers.

What is the difference between Beef Buyer vs Meat Procurement Specialist?

AspectBeef BuyerMeat Procurement Specialist
CredentialsExperience in meat industry, purchasing certificationsSimilar credentials, often with supply chain or procurement certifications
Work EnvironmentMeat processing plants, grocery stores, foodservice companiesFood manufacturing, wholesale, retail food sectors
Industry UsageCommonly used in beef-focused companies and marketsBroader meat industry, including beef, pork, and poultry
Search/Comparison IntentPeople comparing roles within beef procurementIndividuals exploring broader meat procurement roles

While both roles involve purchasing meat products, a Beef Buyer specializes specifically in beef, focusing on sourcing and negotiating beef supplies. A Meat Procurement Specialist handles a wider range of meat products, including beef, pork, and poultry, often within larger food companies. The roles share similar credentials and work environments but differ in scope and industry focus.

More about Beef Buyer jobs
What states have the most Beef Buyer jobs? States with the most job openings for Beef Buyer jobs include:
Infographic showing various Beef Buyer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 10% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $68,384 per year, or $32.9 per hour.

Director, Category Management Commodity Beef

UNIPRO FOODSERVICE INC AND SUBSIDIARIES

Atlanta, GA • Remote

Other

Posted 5 days ago


Job description

Director, Category Management – Commodity Beef

Where the beef market meets your superpower.

Location: Atlanta, GA (Hybrid) — remote considered for the right rockstar

Company: UniPro Foodservice, Inc.

Team: Category Management

Travel: <10%

You’ve made money managing a distributor’s box beef desk—understanding spreads, timing the market, and protecting margin. Are you ready to scale that expertise and help hundreds of food service and retail beef distributors improve earnings and drive sales?

Then pull up a chair — we saved you a seat.

UniPro Foodservice is looking for a Director of Category Management – Commodity Beef to lead the charge on a roughly $1 billion commodity beef portfolio supported by over 400 independent foodservice, specialty and retail distributors that span the U.S., the Pacific Rim, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. This isn't a “watch the market and write a report” job. This is a hands-on, phone-ringing, market-moving, distributor member-serving commercial leadership seat — closer in feel to a beef packer service center than a corporate category role. Speed matters. Communication matters. Execution matters.

And we think you might just be the one to own it.

What You'll Actually Do (Spoiler: A Lot, And It's Fun)
  • Own the category. Attain distributor earning expectations and volume targets. Track results. Make the numbers sing.
  • Run the market like a pro. Monitor boxed and ground beef in real time. Layer in seasonality and history. Pull the trigger on spot buys, forward buys, and block strategies when the moment is right.
  • Be the translator. Turn market chaos into clear, confident buy strategy and pricing guidance — the kind distributors actually act on.
  • Lead the weekly huddle. You'll host a weekly market call that distributor members rely on to make smart purchasing decisions. (We have a winning formula that helps distributors win in the market. Yes, that's the fun part.)
  • Negotiate with the big dogs. Beef processors, suppliers, formula pricing programs — you'll own the relationships, the onboardings, and yes, the exits when needed.
  • Play well with others. Partner with Customer Development, Finance, and Customer Service so strategy and execution actually line up.
What Success Looks Like in Year One

By month six to twelve, you've become the trusted voice members call before they buy. Your weekly market cadence is something people set their calendars by. Program participation is up. Distributor Member returns are protected. And when volatility hits — because it always does — your decisions are crisp, your communication is clear, and your members feel taken care of.

What You Bring to the TableThe non-negotiables:
  • 5+ years of hands-on commodity box beef experience in a market-facing, commercial role. You've lived this.
  • Deep working knowledge of boxed beef markets and ground beef economics — trim, blends, spreads, the works.
  • Bonus credibility points for time spent in commodity pork, foodservice distribution, service center ops, high-velocity merchandising, buying groups, or corporate category management.
  • Real chops in supplier negotiation and program execution that move the needle.
  • A high-frequency communicator's instinct — you build trust on the phone, in email, and across the table.
  • An analytical brain that can turn market signals into smart action.
Extra gold stars for:
  • Buying group, corporate category management, or distribution leadership with a protein portfolio.
  • A track record of running a structured market cadence (calls, recaps, alerts) that people genuinely value.
  • Comfort with budgets and financial targets in a high-volume world.
Why This Role Is Special

This is a high-visibility national desk with international reach. You'll work alongside senior leadership, build deep relationships with distributor members and suppliers, and grow into broader market ownership and strategic responsibility over time. Your title and level will flex to match what you bring — we're hiring the person, not filling a slot.

If you're a high-performing operator looking for your next big seat — one with real stakes, real impact, and real runway — this might be exactly the move you've been waiting for.

Ready to make your mark on the beef market?

Let's talk.