Director of Procurement

Role Summary: The Director of Procurement will work closely with Sales & Marketing and warehouse leadership to grow vendor revenue and category revenue on an annual basis while supporting Capital Foodservice’s Sales & Marketing strategies and plans. They will support vendor negotiations and management, while leading in strategic category development, and demand planning/replenishment initiatives in the development, implementation and continuous improvement of purchasing policies, processes and practices to ensure profitable and efficient strategic purchasing activities. Specific Responsibilities: CATEGORY MANAGEMENT Assess category opportunities through tools such as category analysis, category mapping, SWOT analysis, RFPs etc.; Compare Vendors with other Vendors in the category and approve the one(s) that offers the best opportunity for profitable growth; rationalize SKUs accordingly; Provide overall direction for product life-cycle management from introduction to discontinuance; Define/source/approve new/preferred vendors and products; Provide updates of internal product information – GS1 / ECCnet; Act as Process Owner for Master Product File. VENDOR MANAGEMENT Ensure all Vendors adhere to the Company’s Vendor Policies and accept their “Conditions of doing Business”; Use Vendor Scorecard to evaluate Vendor performance during Vendor Business Reviews including: Product Quality, Product Mix and Velocity, Price Competitiveness, Support/Street Representation, Reliability – Fill Rate and Delivery, Selling Strategy/Marketing, Sales Increase or Decrease. CATEGORY DEVELOPMENT Develop category and annual plans that meet channel and brand objectives and grow overall gross margin and profitability; Maintain knowledge of customer and consumer trends and insights as well as product development and innovation in all categories; Identify, measure and quantify marketplace trends and opportunities; Promote and enhance the relevance of categories within a constantly evolving world of Brand choices; revive mature and declining categories, accelerate penetration and consumption of new and emerging categories; Serve as category expert to support Branch and Central Office with selling ideas and new business opportunities; Recommend pricing strategies to the field based on category strategy and market insights. Manage Vendor price changes; Work with Marketing to develop and initiate the Vendor/Category Marketing Plan as they relate to the overall company marketing plan. STRATEGIC BUYING Make Commodity, forward and contract opportunity buys to maximize gross margin opportunities; Approve Contract quote pricing that require volume commodity purchases. PEOPLE LEADERSHIP Continue to develop the Capital Foodservice culture by being strongly committed to the Company’s Vision, Mission and Values and by being a role model that exhibits the right behaviours and champions them; Lead and optimize the engagement and effectiveness of the Purchasing team by directing, implementing and continuously improving work processes and practices; establishing and communicating performance expectations; providing ongoing performance feedback, coaching and mentoring; ensuring the development of the team consistent with business strategy through succession and talent planning and by rewarding and recognizing staff. Required Qualifications: A Bachelor’s degree (or college diploma equivalent) in business or equivalent experience; At least 5-7 years of proven experience in all aspects of procurement, product category management, supply chain management, and inside monies programs; A demonstrated successful track record of achieving results including revenues, gross margin, net profit, positive vendor relations and customer satisfaction. Demonstrated Competencies: Demonstrated ability to think strategically and critically and identify and align purchasing practices, processes and policies with the organization’s overall business strategy; Proven success defining problems, collecting data, establishing facts, analyzing data, drawing valid conclusions, recommending courses of action and making sound decisions, based on calculated risks and defined ROI criteria; Demonstrated success meeting or exceeding customer expectations; Recognized ability to build win-win relationships and alliances and work well cross functionally by engaging all areas of the business; Known ability to negotiate and effectively manage conflict and influence others; Expertise planning, designing and implementing multiple projects/tasks within budget and on schedule; Able to continuously improve core processes and drive change; Demonstrates integrity and a positive attitude, strong work ethic and resiliency. Decision-making: Independently makes a variety of significant decisions which impact business success and organizational efficiencies; Seeks guidance from senior leadership when necessary, on issues related to purchasing practices and processes; Influences decisions regarding key vendor relationships, especially those involved in our Preferred Vendor Programs and those impacting key areas of category development. Key Relationships: KEY EXTERNAL CONTACTS: Suppliers, distributor buying groups, and Multi-unit and independent customers; KEY INTERNAL CONTACTS: Senior Leadership Team, Sales and Warehouse Leadership; REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS: Category Managers, Product Specialists, and Administrative staff Organizational Impact and Challenges: Leading in a matrix organization where it is imperative that functional teams and leaders and Branch executives understand and appreciate the reason for and value of the initiatives and practices being introduced; Influencing and motivating leaders and teams that have no direct reporting relationship to this role; Managing change effectively to ensure minimal disruption to business operations and positive impact to operational successes. Unique Requirements: Will be expected to travel to meet with vendors as required; Must have valid driver’s license and own vehicle which can be used for business purposes as required. #J-18808-Ljbffr