Seeking a Director of Procurement in the Des Moines Area! Location : Des Moines, Iowa Reports to : Vice President of Operations Job Overview As the Director of Procurement, you will lead the procurement team and develop a comprehensive procurement strategy to support business growth across five Midwest locations. This role involves driving purchasing efficiencies, maintaining optimal inventory levels, fostering strong vendor relationships to deliver superior products and services to our clients. The Director of Procurement will mentor a team of 7 staff, ensuring alignment with our goals for profitability, supplier diversity, and inventory management. Key Responsibilities + Team Leadership : Manage, mentor, and develop a team of 7 Buyers, fostering a collaborative and growth-focused work environment. + Strategic Procurement : Lead the development and execution of an end-to-end procurement strategy that supports company goals for profitability and expansion. + KPI Management : Establish, track, and enforce departmental Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to maintain high performance. + Inventory Control : Oversee inventory management processes to maintain optimal stock levels, minimize shrinkage, and ensure on-time delivery across six business units. + Supplier Relations : Grow relationships with existing produce suppliers and assess new vendors to support diversification and quality standards. + Specialty Category Growth : Partner with sales and marketing teams to expand specialty produce categories, identifying vendor opportunities that align with growth initiatives. + Vendor Negotiations : Negotiate vendor contracts and partnerships to optimize costs and enhance supply chain reliability. + Supply Chain Optimization : Support quality assurance and enhance supply chain efficiency, including carrier networks for inbound and inter-company shuttles. Qualifications + Experience : 4-5 years in produce and wholesale foods purchasing/procurement preferred; 2-3 years in a management role with a track record of employee development. + Education : BS/BA in Supply Chain Management or related field highly preferred. + Skills : Expertise in purchasing strategies that enhance gross margins, strong leadership capabilities, and the ability to collaborate effectively with internal and external partners. + Mindset : Strong desire for professional growth, with a passion for continuous improvement in procurement processes. Additional Information + Must pass drug and background checks. + Direct placement, no contract periods. + Full benefits package (Health, Dental, Vision, 401(k) match). + Join a 130+ year old, medium-sized company (200-500 employees) committed to excellence in food distribution. About Aston Carter: Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® double diamond winner for both client and talent service. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion At Aston Carter, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I are embedded into our culture through: + Hiring diverse talent + Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection + Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes + Ensuring growth opportunities for our people The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com (%20astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com) for other accommodation options.