Purchasing Manager Van Eerden Foodservice - 3.9 Grand Rapids, MI Job Details Full-time 18 hours ago Qualifications Supplier performance analysis Succession planning Leading supply chain efficiency improvement projects Performance improvement leadership Microsoft Excel Supplier corrective action implementation 5 years Supply chain risk management Coaching Bachelor's degree in business Optimizing inventory management system Performance Reporting Talent development Performance management Managing procurement teams Demand forecasting analysis Managing supply chain management teams Team development Managing supply chain operations teams Policy & process development Bachelor's degree Decision making Team training Supply planning in materials management Mentoring Vendor relationship management Process improvement demand planning Data-driven problem-solving Food industry Operational excellence initiatives Full Job Description Lead Strategy. Drive Inventory Performance. Build the Future. Are you a data-driven purchasing leader who thrives on balancing inventory, service levels, supplier performance, and team development? We're looking for a Purchasing Manager to lead our buying team, optimize inventory performance, and help shape the future of our purchasing operations as we continue to grow. In this high-impact leadership role, you'll oversee purchasing execution across multiple facilities, develop and coach a team of buyers, and drive continuous improvement in forecasting, replenishment, inventory health, and supplier accountability. If you're passionate about operational excellence and enjoy turning data into action, we'd love to hear from you.

What You'll Do:

Lead & Develop a High-Performing Buying Team Directly manage, coach, and develop all Category Buyers. Set clear expectations, daily priorities, standard work, and accountability measures for the buying team. Build buyer capability through coaching, cross-training, development plans, performance conversations, and succession readiness. Lead regular buyer huddles focused on service level, forecasting exceptions, vendor issues, shrink risk, and inventory health. Ensure backup coverage and continuity across categories. Drive Forecasting & Replenishment Own replenishment execution and inventory planning across all categories for multiple facilities. Hold buyers accountable for forecast review, demand signal interpretation, system exceptions, and replenishment discipline. Monitor demand shifts, seasonality, promotions, customer changes, vendor lead times, and service risks. Drive continuous improvement in forecast accuracy, forecast bias, and replenishment compliance. Optimize Inventory Investment and Management Optimize inventory investment while maintaining service-level commitments and minimizing inventory carrying costs. Monitor turns, days on hand, on-hand inventory, excess inventory, and category-level inventory health. Review forward-buy opportunities and ensure purchasing decisions to balance cost savings with inventory risk. Support appropriate inventory positioning across distribution locations as the business grows. Improve Service Levels & Supply Chain Performance Own purchasing service-level performance and drive improvement in fill rate and stockout prevention. Identify supply risks early and lead corrective action with buyers, vendors, and cross-functional partners. Escalate and resolve vendor or supply disruptions that could impact customer service. Reduce Shrink & Obsolescence Establish and maintain consistent processes to reduce shrink, spoilage, product aging, and obsolescence. Monitor slow-moving, short-coded, aged, obsolete, and at-risk inventory. Partner with Sales and Category Management on exit strategies for excess or obsolete inventory. Hold buyers accountable for timely action on inventory risk. Strengthen Systems & Supplier Performance Establish supplier performance scorecards measuring service, fill rate, quality, lead-time reliability, responsiveness, and shortage recovery. Partner with buyers to address vendor performance issues and improve supplier accountability. Proactively identify and mitigate supply risks that could impact service, inventory availability, shrink, or profitability. Develop recovery plans for critical supply disruptions and vendor performance issues. Lead Continuous Improvement Enhance purchasing processes, workflows, and reporting. Identify opportunities to improve service levels, inventory productivity, forecasting accuracy, and buyer effectiveness. Collaborate with Operations, Sales, Transportation, Finance, and Supply Chain teams to support business growth and customer success.

What We're Looking For:

5+ years of experience in purchasing, inventory management, replenishment, demand planning, category management, or a related supply chain function. Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, or a related field preferred. Proven ability to lead, coach, mentor, or develop purchasing professionals. Strong knowledge of forecasting, inventory management, supplier performance, and supply chain operations. Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills with advanced Excel proficiency. Ability to make informed decisions in a fast-paced, high-volume environment. Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills. Experience with Blue Ridge or similar forecasting and replenishment systems. Experience within foodservice distribution, wholesale distribution, or other inventory-intensive industries. Strong understanding of item master management, replenishment parameters, lead times, vendor minimums, and order cycles. Why Join Us? This is more than a purchasing role. It's an opportunity to build processes, develop people, influence strategy, and create a scalable purchasing operation that supports the next phase of company growth. If you're a hands-on leader who enjoys solving complex supply chain challenges, improving performance, and creating lasting impact, we invite you to apply. Ready to lead, improve, and grow with us? Apply today.