Purchasing Category Lead/Manager

National Food Group•Novi, MI

5d•Onsite

About The Position

T he Category Leader oversees a team of buyers and collaborates across the organization to enhance buyer expertise, formulate strategies for each category, establish and uphold relationships with key vendors, enhance operational workflows, and fulfills the organization's goals and objectives. Essential Duties Lead, coach, and develop a team of Buyers by setting clear priorities, providing ongoing feedback, and supporting growth. Act as the escalation point for supplier, product, and purchasing issues, ensuring timely resolution and cross-functional alignment. Strengthen supplier partnerships to deliver on supply continuity, quality expectations, cost effectiveness, innovation, and service. Own negotiations for key supplier agreements, balancing quality, pricing, service levels, and process improvement. Work collaboratively across departments to simplify and strengthen purchasing processes and execution. Drive category strategies that align with company goals and position the business for growth. Stay current on market trends, industry dynamics, and economic conditions to make informed and proactive purchasing decisions. Deliver results against key performance targets related to purchasing, sales, margin, and inventory. REQUIREMENTS Education / Experience 5–7 years of purchasing, sourcing, or supply chain experience 5+ years of direct leadership experience Bachelor’s degree preferred Ability to Lead, coach, and develop a team of Buyers Operate effectively in a fast-paced, evolving environment Manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and competing demands with strong judgment Prioritize work effectively and adapt quickly to shifting business needs Build, improve, and support sound business processes Develop and maintain strong cross-functional and external business relationships Travel up to 15% for vendor visits, customer meetings, and trade shows Demonstrated Skills Proven people leadership and team development skills Strong purchasing and sourcing acumen, with demonstrated command of core Buyer responsibilities Excellent communication and interpersonal skills Strategic thinking with the ability to translate strategy into action Strong sense of urgency with a proactive, solutions-oriented approach Strong organizational skills and attention to detail Effective negotiation and supplier management skills Strong relationship-building skills, both internally and externally High learning agility and adaptability Strong technical and systems skills, including ERP platforms and Excel Solid understanding of market trends, industry dynamics, and business conditions We love when our team members are happy and healthy! At National Food Group, you'll have the following benefits and perks: Medical insurance Dental insurance Vision care insurance Group life & voluntary life insurance 401(k) savings plan Flexible savings plan Short-term & long-term disability PTO & PTO buy up Tuition reimbursement Wellness reimbursement Our office work environment: Works in a temperature-controlled office environment. This job requires the ability to perform duties contained in the job description for this position, including, but not limited to, the above requirements. Reasonable accommodation will be made to fulfill these requirements. The above statements generally describe the principal and essential functions of the job but should not be construed as a detailed description of all essential functions that may be inherent in the job. Equal Employment Opportunity National Food Group is an equal opportunity employer. Please also include your salary requirements when submitting your resume.

Requirements

5–7 years of purchasing, sourcing, or supply chain experience
5+ years of direct leadership experience
Bachelor’s degree preferred
Ability to Lead, coach, and develop a team of Buyers
Operate effectively in a fast-paced, evolving environment
Manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and competing demands with strong judgment
Prioritize work effectively and adapt quickly to shifting business needs
Build, improve, and support sound business processes
Develop and maintain strong cross-functional and external business relationships
Travel up to 15% for vendor visits, customer meetings, and trade shows
Demonstrated Skills Proven people leadership and team development skills
Strong purchasing and sourcing acumen, with demonstrated command of core Buyer responsibilities
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Strategic thinking with the ability to translate strategy into action
Strong sense of urgency with a proactive, solutions-oriented approach
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
Effective negotiation and supplier management skills
Strong relationship-building skills, both internally and externally
High learning agility and adaptability
Strong technical and systems skills, including ERP platforms and Excel
Solid understanding of market trends, industry dynamics, and business conditions

Responsibilities

Lead, coach, and develop a team of Buyers by setting clear priorities, providing ongoing feedback, and supporting growth.
Act as the escalation point for supplier, product, and purchasing issues, ensuring timely resolution and cross-functional alignment.
Strengthen supplier partnerships to deliver on supply continuity, quality expectations, cost effectiveness, innovation, and service.
Own negotiations for key supplier agreements, balancing quality, pricing, service levels, and process improvement.
Work collaboratively across departments to simplify and strengthen purchasing processes and execution.
Drive category strategies that align with company goals and position the business for growth.
Stay current on market trends, industry dynamics, and economic conditions to make informed and proactive purchasing decisions.
Deliver results against key performance targets related to purchasing, sales, margin, and inventory.