VP of Purchasing

United Future; Davenport (IA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

United Future seeks a senior procurement leader to oversee inventory procurement, vendor negotiations, and department leadership in Davenport, IA. You will drive profitability through supplier programs, freight management, and strategic marketing initiatives while aligning product portfolios with customer demand.

Youll report to the President on procurement operations, performance metrics, and compliance, while guiding cross-functional teams in sales support and strategic growth of private-label

Responsibilities

• Personnel management: supervise, train, coach, and evaluate department staff to ensure performance standards.
• Inventory & vendor management: maintain optimal inventory levels, negotiate with suppliers, manage stock dispositions.
• Customer & vendor relations: primary contact for accounts and suppliers, maintain high fulfillment standards.
• Process improvement: establish and refine procedures to maximize efficiency.
• Strategic oversight: oversee internal logistics and merchandising teams as assigned.
• Marketing & promotional execution: direct trade shows, digital campaigns, promotions, and launches.
• Strategic growth & sales support: lead bid analyses and collaborate to drive growth of private-label lines.

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.