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Vice President / Director of Procurement

This is a dynamic, hands-on procurement leadership opportunity for a proven leader with experience managing supplier economics, inventory, inbound freight, service levels, and a purchasing team in an inventory-intensive environment. While the formal title is Vice President, this role is also an ideal next step for a high-performing Purchasing Manager or Director seeking broader enterprise responsibility and greater impact.

You will lead product procurement and supplier programs, balancing product availability, working capital, customer service, vendor economics, and team performance. This is an onsite position in Rice, Minnesota, with relocation assistance provided.

Why this role may be worth a conversation

• Own a meaningful procurement function with direct influence on supplier negotiations, inventory investment, cash flow, service levels, and profitability.
• Lead and develop a purchasing team through staffing, coaching, performance management, and problem resolution.
• Work directly with manufacturers and vendors on pricing, programs, billbacks, and inbound freight economics.
• Improve purchasing processes and operating discipline rather than maintain existing routines.
• Join a business supporting the U.S. food distribution system, with full benefits and relocation support.

Core mandate

• Lead all major aspects of product procurement and supplier-program negotiation.
• Manage inventory levels to support service requirements while protecting cash flow and the company's financial position.
• Negotiate with vendors and manufacturers for competitive pricing, programs, and commercial terms.
• Manage vendor bill-back and inbound-freight programs that affect profitability.
• Maintain fill-rate service levels and ensure timely, high-quality communication with customers and vendors.
• Establish and improve purchasing procedures that increase department productivity and execution quality.
• Hire, train, coach, counsel, and performance-manage procurement team members.
• Contribute to annual marketing and merchandising programs where assigned.
• Partner with senior management to achieve corporate operating and financial goals.

Candidate Profile

The most direct fit will have experience in food distribution or foodservice procurement. However, procurement leaders from adjacent inventory-intensive sectors—where supplier negotiations, SKU and inventory discipline, inbound logistics, service levels, and working-capital decisions are critical—are strongly encouraged to apply.

Transferable backgrounds may include food manufacturing, consumer packaged goods, wholesale distribution, packaging, industrial distribution, or other supplier-intensive businesses with comparable procurement complexity.

• Approximately 6–7+ years of procurement, purchasing, sourcing, or closely related experience, including supervisory responsibility.
• Demonstrated experience leading people, improving purchasing processes, and resolving operational issues.
• Strong vendor/supplier negotiation skills and commercial judgment.
• Working knowledge of inventory management, service levels, inbound freight, and cash-flow tradeoffs.
• Comfort interacting with senior leaders, customers, vendors, and cross-functional partners.
• Ability to operate onsite in Rice, Minnesota; relocation assistance is available.

Relevant experience/search terms

Strategic Sourcing • Procurement Leadership • Purchasing • Supplier Management • Vendor Negotiation • Inventory Optimization • Working Capital • Inbound Freight • Supply Chain • Fill Rate • Foodservice • Food Distribution • Food Manufacturing • CPG • Wholesale Distribution • Merchandising

Who should consider it?

Current Vice Presidents may find the compensation below typical VP levels. The strongest target is likely an accomplished Director, senior Purchasing Manager, or procurement leader seeking broader scope, direct visibility with senior management, and responsibility for both supplier strategy and day-to-day execution.

If your background is close rather than identical, especially in an inventory-intensive manufacturing or distribution environment, the operating similarities may be worth discussing.