Lead Category Buyer - Direct Procurement

Gordon Food Service•Wyoming, MI

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Lead Category Buyer for Direct Procurement develops and executes negotiation strategies for an estimated $1 billion in North American spend. In collaboration with Category Management, Strategic Procurement, and Supply Chain, this role manages end-to-end sourcing solutions to achieve regional and divisional objectives. Key responsibilities include negotiating landed product costs, securing supplier agreements that ensure cost competitiveness, and driving continuous improvement. The ideal candidate will maintain deep knowledge of their assigned product categories, vendors, and market dynamics.

Requirements

The ideal candidate will possess a Bachelor's degree and at least seven years of procurement experience, preferably within the food service industry.
A proven track record of successful negotiations and a strong working knowledge of sourcing strategies are essential.
Alternatively, candidates with ten or more years of directly relevant experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.
This position requires excellent leadership abilities and a positive attitude with a commitment to personal and professional success.
Must have excellent analytical skills and be detail oriented with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Excellent organizational and time management skills.
Must be able to accept and accomplish multiple and diverse assignments.
Must be able to work independently and in a team environment.
This position also requires a professional demeanor, honesty, integrity, drive, tenacity, determination, and a willingness to learn.
Able to develop solutions to a variety of problems of moderate scope and complexity.
Refers to policies and practices for guidance.

Nice To Haves

Ability to demonstrate proficient written and conversational French and/or Spanish language skills is preferred.

Responsibilities

Leads and manages all procurement process activities for assigned North American product category in support of category commitments and initiatives.
Develop supplier strategies and lead North American negotiations.
Mentors all category members on negotiation skill development and techniques.
Manages the development and implementation of the Annual Operating Plan negotiation calendar and corresponding realized savings financial commitments, including regular status updates.
Supports the planning and execution of strategies resulting in optimal value for Gordon Food Service by balancing fully landed cost of goods (bottom line), without compromising commitments to growth (top line) and enabling continuous improvement goals.
Responsible for engaging shareholders (i.e., divisions, category managers, etc.) to understand business needs, and responsible for developing negotiation strategies to achieve objectives.
Responsible for leading discussions with business owners, leaders, and key decision makers within the supply base to achieve unique, collaborative, yet globally competitive sourcing solutions that differentiate GFS from it’s competitors.
Communicates category negotiation updates to the North American Leader team.
Collaborates with Category and Brand Managers to provide strategic support of GFS brand(s) sales initiatives.
Understands and leverages both broadline foodservice distribution and retail market needs to develop and execute best in class sourcing solutions.
Responsible for all phases of Competitive Market Reviews for defined product categories, including development of negotiation strategies, tactics, and execution plans to achieve desired outcomes, as well as the accurate transfer of negotiation points into a signed agreement and archived into the agreement system.
Leads specific procurement initiatives within the category to achieve strategic business needs as assigned, including booking initiatives, regional sourcing strategies and Vendor Involvement Program (VIP) involvement.
Ensures that agreement process results in accurate contract implementation as well as non-price considerations throughout the business cycle.
Responsible for analyzing various inputs (ranging from cost, quality, support, service) and execute best value sourcing solutions.
Maintains effective vendor relationships supporting continuous cost improvement and value creation initiatives.
Critically monitors and analyzes assigned product categories and related product markets for cost-savings opportunities.
Achieves category savings goals while ensuring mutual ownership of category goals.
Sources supplies and items that meet defined specifications, performance, or functionality.
Continually seeks to drive procurement process efficiencies.
Support ongoing Category Management initiatives.
Performs other duties as assigned.