Director of Purchasing

HR Elements•Cincinnati, OH

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Our client has been in the business of getting the right products to the right retailers for over 60 years — and they are not slowing down. As a wholesale distributor of Health & Beauty Care products, Cosmetics, and General Merchandise, they serve a diverse and growing network of Grocery Stores, Drug Stores, Nutritional Supply Stores, Beauty Supply Retailers, College Bookstores, Spas & Salons, and E-Commerce platforms. They move fast, think strategically, and take pride in the vendor relationships and product expertise they have built over decades. Now they are looking for a sharp, savvy Director of Purchasing to lead our procurement operations into the next chapter. The Role The Director of Purchasing is the heartbeat of our product strategy. You’ll own the full purchasing lifecycle — from negotiating with vendors and expanding our catalog to managing your team and aligning with Sales, Finance, Marketing, and Distribution. This is a high-impact, highly visible leadership role where your decisions directly shape what our customers can offer their shoppers.

Requirements

10+ years of progressive experience in purchasing, procurement, or supply chain — wholesale distribution, CPG, or related industry preferred
5+ years in a leadership or management role
Proven track record of negotiating favorable vendor contracts and delivering measurable cost savings
Advanced Excel skills and proficiency with ERP/inventory management systems
Strong analytical and data-driven mindset
Exceptional negotiation and relationship-building skills
Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business Administration, or related field; MBA or Master’s preferred

Nice To Haves

Experience buying HBC, cosmetics, personal care, OTC, or dietary supplement products (a big plus!)

Responsibilities

Lead the Purchasing Function
Set strategy and direction for all procurement operations across product categories
Personally manage key vendor relationships and hold the team accountable for the rest
Negotiate pricing, payment terms, and shipping agreements that keep us competitive
Oversee purchase order creation, on-time delivery, and accurate invoicing
Drive continuous cost savings without sacrificing quality or service
Build & Grow the Catalog
Use consumer insights, market intelligence, and sales data to identify category growth opportunities
Lead new vendor qualification and onboarding activities
Attend trade shows, industry conferences, and vendor events to stay ahead of market trends
Collaborate with Sales to align the assortment with channel-specific and promotional needs
Manage Your Team
Lead, coach, and develop the purchasing team — from hiring and training to performance management
Delegate effectively while staying close to the work that matters most
Partner across functions to translate purchasing decisions into business outcomes
Drive Strategy & Analytics
Develop and manage the annual purchasing budget with rigorous tracking and executive reporting
Analyze sales trends, inventory turns, fill rates, and margin performance to optimize stock levels
Establish and monitor vendor performance KPIs
Partner with Sales and Operations on demand forecasting to minimize overstock and stockouts
Leverage ERP and procurement systems to streamline workflows and generate actionable reporting
Monitor and ensure compliance with applicable regulatory requirements (FDA, FTC, state-level) for HBC, OTC, and dietary supplement products