VP of Purchasing

Soap Creek Resources; Davenport (IA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Qualifications

• Experience leading procurement and supplier programs.
• Experience with major accounts and private-label products.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Knowledge of regulatory and safety requirements.

Responsibilities

• Personnel management: supervise, coach, and evaluate staff.
• Inventory and vendor management: optimize stock and negotiate pricing.
• Customer and vendor relations: primary contact for accounts.
• Process improvement: refine procedures for efficiency.
• Strategic oversight of logistics and merchandising teams.
• Marketing and promotional execution: lead campaigns and events.
• Strategic growth and sales support: drive bid analyses with cross-functional teams.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Vendor negotiations

Team leadership

Budget & P&L oversight

Marketing coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or related field

Job description

Position Purpose

Responsible for managing all aspects of inventory procurement, vendor negotiations, department leadership (hiring, training, coaching, and counseling), and achievement of organizational goals established by the executive team. Ensures profitability through effective supplier programs and freight management while developing and executing annual marketing initiatives. Manages the product portfolio to meet customer demands while optimizing local and corporate revenue. Conducts major product evaluations and demonstrations with key accounts to retain existing business and secure new accounts.

This leader serves on the senior leadership team, reports to the President, and directs procurement operations, performance metrics, expense and revenue management, sales support, and compliance with safety standards and regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Personnel Management: Supervise, train, coach, and evaluate department staff, ensuring proper staffing levels, performance management, and effective problem resolution.

• Inventory & Vendor Management: Maintain optimal inventory levels to enhance financial performance and cash flow. Negotiate pricing and programs with suppliers, manage proprietary stock dispositions, and uphold strict service-level standards.

• Customer & Vendor Relations: Serve as a primary point of contact for accounts and suppliers, ensuring prompt, accurate, and professional communication while maintaining high fulfillment standards.

• Process Improvement: Establish and refine departmental procedures to maximize operational efficiency and productivity based on industry expertise.

• Strategic Oversight: Oversee secondary operational units, such as internal logistics/freight control and specialized merchandising teams, as assigned.

• Marketing & Promotional Execution: Direct all marketing functions, including trade shows, promotional events, digital campaigns, sales incentives, product launches, and targeted catalogs. Maximize supplier financial participation.

• Strategic Growth & Sales Support: Lead strategic bid analyses for major prospective and existing accounts. Collaborate cross-functionally with sales specialists, category managers, culinary professionals, and brand development leads to drive the growth of private-label or exclusive product lines.

• Perform other related duties as assigned.