Vice President of Procurement and Merchandising

HAPPIER; New York (NY); On-site; USD 180,000 - 270,000; Full time

Job summary

Happier Grocery in New York seeks a Vice President of Procurement and Merchandising to lead sourcing, category management, and product strategy. You will drive profitability, optimize supplier partnerships, and shape the portfolio with data-driven insights.

The VP will oversee end-to-end procurement and merchandising functions, focusing on cost optimization, innovation, and market responsiveness to deliver value and growth.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of leadership experience in procurement, merchandising, or category management.
• Proven ability to lead Category Management and/or Buying teams.
• Strong background in supplier negotiations, sourcing strategy, and cost management.
• Demonstrated ownership of financial performance including margin and P&L.
• Advanced analytical skills with the ability to translate data into business decisions.
• Strong leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and execution of company-wide procurement and merchandising strategies aligned with business objectives and growth targets.
• Oversee sourcing, vendor selection, contract negotiation, and supplier performance management to ensure cost efficiency, quality, and reliability.
• Drive category management strategies, including assortment planning, pricing, lifecycle management, and promotional optimization.
• Partner cross-functionally with operations, finance, marketing, and sales to align product strategy with customer demand and market trends.
• Identify and implement opportunities for margin expansion through strategic sourcing, cost optimization, and product innovation.
• Build and maintain strong, strategic relationships with key suppliers to foster collaboration, innovation, and long-term value creation.
• Establish and monitor KPIs to evaluate supplier performance, category profitability, and merchandising effectiveness.
• Lead demand forecasting and inventory optimization efforts to ensure product availability while minimizing excess and obsolescence.
• Champion data-driven decision-making by leveraging analytics to inform purchasing, pricing, and assortment strategies.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across procurement and merchandising processes to increase efficiency and scalability.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, regulatory requirements, and ethical sourcing standards.
• Lead, mentor, and develop high-performing procurement and merchandising teams, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and innovation.
• Monitor market dynamics, competitive activity, and industry trends to proactively adjust strategies and maintain a competitive advantage.
• Support new product development and portfolio expansion initiatives in partnership with product development and marketing teams.

Skills

Leadership

Negotiations

Category management

Data analytics

Cross-functional leadership

P&L ownership

Forecasting

Strategic sourcing

Vendor management

Ethical sourcing

Team development

Communication

Job description

Happier Grocery is a health-forward Grocery Store that seeks to provide a lifestyle oasis for New Yorkers. We are committed to providing the highest quality food and lifestyle experience.

Our mission is to create a buying experience where shoppers need not scrutinize every food label, and to provide a place of community, positivity, and life-affirming nutrition and enjoyment.

The Opportunity

The Vice President of Procurement and Merchandising is a senior leadership role responsible for defining and executing the organization’s sourcing, category management, and product strategy. This highly visible position plays a critical role in driving profitability, enhancing supplier partnerships, and shaping the evolution of the company’s product portfolio.

The VP will lead end-to-end procurement and merchandising functions, ensuring alignment with overall business objectives while delivering value through cost optimization, innovation, and market responsiveness. This leader will leverage data-driven insights to inform assortment decisions, strengthen vendor performance, and identify opportunities for growth and differentiation.

• Lead the development and execution of company-wide procurement and merchandising strategies aligned with business objectives and growth targets
• Oversee sourcing, vendor selection, contract negotiation, and supplier performance management to ensure cost efficiency, quality, and reliability
• Drive category management strategies, including assortment planning, pricing, lifecycle management, and promotional optimization
• Partner cross-functionally with operations, finance, marketing, and sales to align product strategy with customer demand and market trends
• Identify and implement opportunities for margin expansion through strategic sourcing, cost optimization, and product innovation
• Build and maintain strong, strategic relationships with key suppliers to foster collaboration, innovation, and long-term value creation
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate supplier performance, category profitability, and merchandising effectiveness
• Lead demand forecasting and inventory optimization efforts to ensure product availability while minimizing excess and obsolescence
• Champion data-driven decision-making by leveraging analytics to inform purchasing, pricing, and assortment strategies
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across procurement and merchandising processes to increase efficiency and scalability
• Ensure compliance with company policies, regulatory requirements, and ethical sourcing standards
• Lead, mentor, and develop high-performing procurement and merchandising teams, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and innovation
• Monitor market dynamics, competitive activity, and industry trends to proactively adjust strategies and maintain a competitive advantage
• Support new product development and portfolio expansion initiatives in partnership with product development and marketing teams
• 10+ years of leadership experience in procurement, merchandising, or category management
• Proven ability to lead Category Management and or Buying teams
• Strong background in supplier negotiations, sourcing strategy, and cost management
• Demonstrated ownership of financial performance including margin and P&L
• Advanced analytical skills with the ability to translate data into business decisions
• Strong leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills
• Inspiring, collaborative leader who can motivate and guide teams. A hands-on leadership approach that thrives in a collaborative environment.
• Strong financial management skills, including budgeting, forecasting, and cost control.
• Deep understanding of the retail industry, market trends, and consumer behavior.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills. Ability to convey strategy and results to executive teams and stakeholders.
• Ability to analyze data and use insights for decision-making.
• Ability to pivot and address challenges in a constantly evolving industry. Innovative problem-solver open to change and continuous improvement.
• Customer-and end-user-oriented perspective
• Demonstrates humility, sound judgment, and respect for cross-functional expertise
• Unwavering commitment to ethics, integrity, and high professional standards