Vendor Manager

Gourmet Foods International; Kenosha (WI); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Advancement opportunities

Free college tuition

401(k) with matching

Profit sharing

Flexible PTO

Paid holidays

Team member discount

Professional development programs

Job summary

Gourmet Foods International seeks Team Members passionate about artisan food to source and bring innovative products to market. You will build relationships with artisan producers, forecast and market gourmet products, and travel to visit vendors as needed.

You will collaborate with internal teams, manage purchase orders, monitor inventory, and maintain supplier data to ensure accuracy and cost efficiency across distribution centers.

Qualifications

• A college degree is required.
• 3–5 years of food industry experience, preferably in imports.
• Strong oral and written communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively with internal departments and external suppliers.
• Analytical, problem-solving, and strategic planning skills.
• Experience working in a large, complex multi-location distribution center organization.
• Strong organizational and planning skills.
• Ability to recognize future trends.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel.
• Detail-oriented.

Responsibilities

• Taste and source new artisanal and imported products.
• Travel domestically and internationally to visit key and new vendors.
• Create purchase orders for timely replenishment of all Distribution Centers.
• Use negotiation skills to ensure the lowest cost to market.
• Communicate with vendors and sales team to ensure optimal sales.
• Monitor inventory at all Distribution Centers and manage transfers to reduce waste.
• Maintain supplier and item data for accuracy.

Skills

Vendor relations

Negotiation

Organized supply management

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

Strategic planning

Attention to detail

Education

College degree

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Job OverviewWe’re looking for Team Members with a passion for artisan food who love trying new things. Our buyers work as a team to bring innovative new products to market. You’ll be building relationships with artisan producers, helping them forecast and market their gourmet products.What does your day look like? Some of your duties may include:• Tasting and sourcing new artisanal and imported products• Travel domestically and internationally to visit key and new vendors as needed.• Creating purchase orders to facilitate the timely replenishment of all Distribution Centers.• Uses negotiation skills to ensure the lowest cost to market• Communicating with both assigned vendors and/or sales team to ensure optimal sales• Monitoring inventory at all Distribution Centers and completing transfers as appropriate to eliminate unnecessary food waste.• Establish and maintain professional relationships with suppliers and brokers to achieve sourcing, bidding, negotiation, selection, approval and quality of assigned product lines.• Maintain, improve, and monitor supplier and item data to ensure accuracyThings you need to be able to do:• Organized supply management skills, ability to develop and maintain vendor relationships, excellent interpersonal skills to interact with internal departments, management, and vendors. Ability to work with minimal supervision.• A college degree is required.Things that are a plus but not a deal-breaker:• 3–5 years of food industry experience, preferably in imports.• Strong oral and written communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively with internal departments and external suppliers.• Analytical, problem-solving, and strategic planning skills.• Experience working in a large, complex multi-location distribution center organization• Strong organizational and planning skills• Ability to recognize future trends• Proficient in Microsoft Excel• Detail-orientedWhat we think you’ll love about Gourmet Foods International:• Advancement Opportunities. We offer career advancement, including college reimbursement. We want to see you grow with the company.• Keeping it fresh. Learn new things every day, from new technology to innovative new products we distribute.• Teamwork. Work on a team that supports each other.SCHEDULE:Availability:Candidates must be able to meet the scheduling requirements of the position. Depending on the role and business needs, schedules may include days, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime, and/or travel. Specific scheduling and availability requirements will be discussed during the hiring process. GFI will consider reasonable accommodation in accordance with applicable law.What else can we offer?Gourmet Foods' Benefits include Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, short-term disability, Long-Term Disability, and accident insurance. We also offer 401(k) with matching contributions, Profit Sharing, Competitive Salaries, Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO), Paid Holidays, Free College Tuition, PAID Parental Leave, Professional Development Programs, opportunity to grow within the Company, Team Member Discount, Team Member Referral Bonus.Bonus, Incentives & Company-Provided Resources:• Above-average salary• Company-provided equipmentGFI is a drug-free employer. You voluntarily consent to a pre-employment drug screen, and a background check will be conducted as part of the hiring process. Background checks can include, but are not limited to, previous employment, education, and criminal records.Equal Employment OpportunityGourmet Foods International is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.