Strategic NA Purchasing Leader | Cost, Risk & Supply Chain

Vida Group International; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Vida Group International is seeking a Director of Purchasing, North America, to lead strategic procurement across its North American operations from a Sheboygan-based role. This senior leader will drive category strategies, optimize material costs, and steward supplier performance while mitigating tariff exposure and strengthening cross-functional partnerships.

The role also oversees global procurement for aftermarket and New Product Development initiatives, requiring a blend of strategic

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Engineering, or related discipline.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience, including at least 5 years in purchasing or strategic sourcing in global manufacturing.
• At least 6 years of people leadership experience.
• Experience supporting complex, multi-site, multi-product manufacturing operations.
• Proven ability to deliver material cost reductions, improve supplier performance, and execute strategic sourcing.
• Strong experience in supplier negotiations, category management, risk mitigation, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Demonstrated ability to influence senior leadership and drive execution in a matrixed organization.
• Exceptional communication, analytical, commercial, and organizational leadership capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead North American purchasing activities: sourcing strategy, supplier negotiations, cost reduction, and performance.
• Develop and execute short- and long-term category strategies aligned with growth and operations.
• Drive cost savings via strategic sourcing, supplier consolidation, contracts, and value engineering.
• Lead tariff mitigation and supply chain risk reduction across the region.
• Maintain a pipeline of cost improvement initiatives and ensure project execution and financial results.
• Build strategic relationships with key suppliers to improve cost, quality, delivery, and performance.
• Partner with Operations, Engineering, Finance, Supply Chain, and Commercial leaders to align procurement with enterprise goals.
• Lead supplier escalations and resolve complex supply chain challenges; ensure material availability.
• Support global procurement governance, sourcing councils, and category management initiatives.
• Provide executive procurement reporting, risk assessments, and strategic recommendations.

Skills

Procurement Leadership

Strategic Sourcing

Cost Optimization

Supplier Negotiations

Category Management

Cross-functional Collaboration

Supply Chain Risk

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree (preferred)

Job description

Vida Group International is seeking a Director of Purchasing, North America, to lead strategic procurement across its North American operations from a Sheboygan-based role. This senior leader will drive category strategies, optimize material costs, and steward supplier performance while mitigating tariff exposure and strengthening cross-functional partnerships.

The role also oversees global procurement for aftermarket and New Product Development initiatives, requiring a blend of strategic