VP of Purchasing

Red Seal Recruiting Ltd.; Davenport (IA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Red Seal Recruiting Ltd. is seeking a senior procurement leader to oversee inventory procurement, vendor negotiations, and department leadership. You will steer profitability through supplier programs, freight management, and annual marketing initiatives across product portfolios to meet customer demand.

You will join the senior leadership team, report to the President, and drive procurement operations, performance metrics, and compliance with safety standards and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• Experience leading procurement teams and strategic sourcing.
• Strong vendor negotiation and supplier program development.
• Proven ability to optimize inventory levels and cost performance.
• Ability to drive cross-functional projects and marketing initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Oversee inventory procurement and vendor negotiations.
• Lead department staffing, training, coaching, and counseling.
• Direct procurement operations, metrics, and compliance with safety standards.
• Manage marketing initiatives and product promotions from procurement efforts.
• Drive strategic growth through private-label or exclusive product lines.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Leadership

Procurement

Vendor Management

Negotiation

Forecasting

Cross-functional Collaboration

Strategy

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.