VP of Purchasing

Markent Personnel; Davenport (IA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Markent Personnel seeks a strategic Procurement Director to oversee inventory procurement, vendor negotiations, and leadership of the procurement team. The role focuses on profitability through supplier programs, freight management, product portfolio optimization, and collaboration with senior leadership to drive revenue and meet customer demand.

The successful candidate will manage product portfolios, lead major supplier relationships, and drive continuous improvement across procurement

Responsibilities

• Supervise, train, coach, and evaluate department staff, ensuring proper staffing levels and performance management.
• Maintain optimal inventory levels and negotiate pricing and programs with suppliers, manage stock dispositions, and uphold service-level standards.
• Serve as primary point of contact for accounts and suppliers, ensuring prompt, accurate, and professional communication.
• Establish and refine departmental procedures to maximize operational efficiency.
• Oversee internal logistics and specialized merchandising teams as assigned.
• Direct all marketing functions including trade shows, digital campaigns, and catalogs to maximize supplier participation.
• Lead strategic bid analyses for major accounts and collaborate cross-functionally to drive growth of private-label or exclusive product lines.

Skills

Leadership

Vendor management

Negotiation

Inventory management

Strategic planning

Cross-functional collaboration

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.