VP of Purchasing

Davenport, Iowa
$140K-$160K
Direct Hire | Onsite

Lead purchasing, vendor relationships and product portfolio strategy as a member of the senior leadership team, reporting directly to the President. You will manage inventory procurement and supplier negotiations, lead the purchasing department, and drive profitability through strong supplier programs and freight management.

This role goes beyond buying. You will also direct marketing initiatives, support sales with strategic bid analysis, and work with key accounts to keep existing business and win new accounts.

• Lead your people: Supervise, train, coach and evaluate department staff. Keep staffing levels right, manage performance and resolve problems.
• Manage inventory and vendors: Maintain optimal inventory levels to improve financial performance and cash flow. Negotiate pricing and programs with suppliers, manage proprietary stock dispositions and hold suppliers to strict service-level standards.
• Own customer and vendor relationships: Serve as a primary point of contact for accounts and suppliers. Keep communication prompt, accurate and professional, and keep fulfillment standards high.
• Improve the process: Establish and refine departmental procedures to increase efficiency and productivity, drawing on your industry expertise.
• Oversee related operations: Manage secondary operational units, such as internal logistics/freight control and specialized merchandising teams, as assigned.
• Direct marketing and promotions: Run all marketing functions, including trade shows, promotional events, digital campaigns, sales incentives, product launches and targeted catalogs. Maximize supplier financial participation.
• Drive growth and support sales: Lead strategic bid analyses for major prospective and existing accounts. Work with sales specialists, category managers, culinary professionals and brand development leads to grow private-label and exclusive product lines.
• Manage the portfolio: Align the product portfolio with customer demand while optimizing local and corporate revenue.
• Run product evaluations: Conduct major product evaluations and demonstrations with key accounts.
• Deliver results: Direct procurement operations, performance metrics, expense and revenue management, and compliance with safety standards and regulatory requirements. Achieve the goals set by the executive team.
• Perform other related duties as assigned