Job Tittle - Strategic Sourcing Lead

Job Location - Novi, MI

Client Summary -

We sourced high-quality food products for a range of meal patterns and budgets. We specialize in food service solutions for K-12 and higher education, healthcare and correctional facilities, casinos, entertainment, and many other industries.

We’re always looking for ways to innovate corporate life to be more fun and convenient for our team members. With a hybrid work schedule, open office layout, workout room, awesome coffee espresso machines, and themed events like popcorn days and monthly happy hours, our office has a good balance of work and play.

Responsibilities -

• Put your private investigator hat on. Identify, evaluate, and secure new vendors across key categories fostering strong partnerships to support our growth objectives.
• Develop and execute new item programs in collaboration with vendors and buyers to optimize pack size, cost efficiency, and product sizing.
• Being nosy is a good quality here. Always be in the know and work closely with Product Development to align strategies and ensure product offerings meet market demands.
• Working with vendors isn’t always easy. But navigating tricky situations is right up your alley and you do so with tact and respect. In this role, you will need to maintain a proactive approach in identifying opportunities and solutions to improve our product range and vendor relations.
• Be a high-stakes roller! Demonstrate confidence and a high level of comfort when taking calculated risks to drive business innovation and success.
• Enjoy escape rooms? Now it’s time to put those investigative problem-solving skills to the test! In this role, you will utilize a driving mindset to actively pursue and capitalize on business opportunities.
• Your take-charge nature has never been so appreciated! Operate as a self-starter, showing initiative and success without the need for constant oversight or micromanagement.
• While being able to flex your muscles is great, being cognitively flexible is uber-important for this role. You will be asked to support the expansion of product lines while constantly analyzing market trends and customer needs.
• Ensure seamless handoff of projects and information to the head of purchasing and the buying team, maintaining high standards of communication and efficiency.

Ideal Candidates -

• Time to update and showcase your portfolio. We are looking for a proven track record within vendor management and purchasing, in a related industry.
• Good with puzzles? Put those skills to use. We need a strong strategic thinker with innovative problem-solving skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills to work effectively with sales and purchasing teams.
• Ability to work independently, and prioritize effectively.
• We don’t expect you to be a professional juggler, although that would be fun, however, we do want you to be able to manage multiple projects.
• Like the Rolling Stones said, “We can’t always get what we want,” however, strong negotiation skills and experience with contract management are essential.
• If you believe Excel should be used for everything from a working spreadsheet to a grocery list, we’ve got the position for you. We are seeking proficiency in data analysis and performance metrics.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain management, or related field preferred.
• Importing experience is a plus.
• Must have Good years of food industry sourcing/sales experience.

Thanks

Steve Hopper