The Vice President of Procurement is responsible for managing all aspects of product procurement, including program negotiation with manufacturers, hiring, training, coaching and counseling of all staff members; achieving corporate goals as established by the senior management team; ensuring corporate profitability as related to vendor bill-back and inbound freight programs, development and execution of annual marketing programs. Manages product portfolio to meet customer needs while maximizing local and corporate earnings.

This leader is an OpCo senior leadership team member, reporting to the Opco President, and is responsible for managing and directing the Logistics, Category management, Procurement, and Marketing Department staff, achieving performance metrics, expense and revenue management, and compliance with established safety standards and government regulations. This is an on-site role in the western suburbs of Chicago. 

Leads associates to continuously improve performance and support sales growth through staffing, training, coaching, performance management, problem resolution, and team career management. Provide an environment where the Associates can perform at their best, learn, develop, and progress.
Interact with customers and vendors in a friendly, timely, and quality manner; ensure customers' and vendors' questions are answered accurately and on time. Respond to customer inquiries. Maintain fill rate service levels to the company’s standards.

Improve purchasing strategies and processes based on knowledge of the food distribution industry, including merchandising strategies for the right products, at the right time for the right price for our customer base. Demonstrate a thorough understanding of and continued development in the food service industry.

Manage an acceptable level of inventory, which best enhances the company’s financial position. Negotiate with vendors for the best price and program. Collaboratively find outlets for an inventory of lost customers with Sales. Manage inventory dollar levels to achieve optimum cash flow and service level.

Establish procedures that increase the purchasing department's efficiency and allow it to function at the highest level of productivity. Maximize vendor financial participation and activity. Participate in and lead strategic bid analysis for large potential and existing customers.

Manage & Work closely with the Transportation to grow Backhaul and Logistics opportunities to grow Earned Income (EI).

Responsible for leading the Marketing department inclusive of all marketing functions including, but not limited to, Meal Ticket and MarketWatch insights, social media/marketing for marketplace growth, sales incentive promotions, customer promotions, new product launches, segmented catalogs, food shows, market /product focused shows and sales meetings.

Performs other related duties as assigned.