A Distribution Center Manager oversees day-to-day workflow and employees of a distribution center. This includes tasks like receiving, storage, shipping, and expense management. May involve management of suppliers.
Distribution Center- Kitchen Purchasing Manager Location:
Minooka, IL
JOB TITLE
Kitchen Purchase Manager Distribution Center
JOB TYPE
Full-time Premier logistics and cold-chain fulfillment provider, keeping high-volume fresh networks operating seamlessly. We are seeking an experienced, detail-oriented Kitchen Purchase Manager to oversee procurement, sourcing, and inventory controls for our distribution center's culinary and fresh food divisions.
Job Summary:
The Kitchen Purchase Manager manages the end-to-end procurement of raw ingredients, food-grade packaging materials, and industrial kitchen equipment. This role ensures optimal stock availability, maintains strict cold-chain compliance, negotiates vendor contracts, and manages the purchasing budget to prevent supply chain bottlenecks.
Key Responsibilities:
•
Procurement Management:
Execute high-volume purchase orders (POs) utilizing ERP and inventory systems to ensure a steady supply of fresh, perishable, and dry products. •
Vendor Relations & Sourcing:
Identify, vet, and onboard regional and national food suppliers. Negotiate competitive pricing, volume discounts, and service level agreements (SLAs). •
Inventory & Shelf-Life Control:
Monitor inventory turnover, forecast raw material demand, and strictly implement First-In, First-Out (FIFO) methods to reduce ingredient spoilage. •
Compliance & Food Safety:
Ensure all incoming ingredients, packaging, and equipment comply with FDA, USDA, HACCP, and SQF guidelines. Coordinate closely with Quality Assurance. •
Financial Oversight:
Analyze market trends and food commodity pricing. Manage the procurement budget, track cost variances, and audit vendor invoices against receiving logs. •
Supply Chain Resilience:
Establish secondary supplier channels to insulate operations against seasonal shortages or transportation delays. ###
Requirements & Qualifications:
•
Education:
Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, Culinary Arts, or equivalent work experience. •
Experience:
3-5 years of dedicated purchasing or procurement experience within food manufacturing, high-volume catering, commercial kitchens, or cold-chain distribution. •
Systems:
Advanced proficiency with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software, and Microsoft Excel. •
Industry Expertise:
Solid grasp of temperature-controlled storage, food safety compliance, and perishable asset management. •
Core Competencies:
Strong negotiation skills, analytical forecasting ability, and excellent communication under tight deadlines.
Benefits:
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance • Opportunities for professional growth and advancement
