VP of Purchasing

Job Juncture; Davenport (IA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Job Juncture in Davenport, IA seeks an executive leader to direct all facets of procurement, inventory, and vendor relations, aligning supplier programs with profitability and growth targets.

You will lead the senior procurement team, oversee performance metrics, and collaborate with sales, marketing, and operations to execute annual plans and private-label offerings.

This role focuses on strategic bid analyses, cost optimization, and ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• Leadership experience in procurement or supply chain management.
• Experience negotiating with suppliers and managing a product portfolio.
• Ability to develop and execute marketing initiatives.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration with sales and operations.
• Familiarity with safety standards and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and develop department staff, ensuring staffing, performance management and issue resolution.
• Maintain optimal inventory levels and manage supplier pricing and programs.
• Serve as primary liaison for accounts and suppliers, ensuring timely, accurate communication.
• Establish and refine procedures to maximize efficiency and productivity.
• Oversee internal logistics and merchandising teams as assigned.

Skills

Procurement leadership

Vendor negotiations

Strategic sourcing

Budget & P&L

Job description

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.