Overview:

The Director of Purchasing is accountable to guide the purchasing department in providing excellent service and achieving inventory levels to meet requirements. The position will oversee supplier development and selection, procurement, price negotiation, contract review and execution. The director leads and works collaboratively with the Food and Reusable purchasing managers to support all functions of the supply chain to ensure high levels of internal and external customer service and satisfaction.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain a high-performance culture, resulting in continued success meeting improved levels of customer service to internal and external customers.
• Identify and develop key talent to ensure the success of all individuals in the department through training and goal setting.
• Manage the tactical operations of the purchasing function & staff to achieve company objectives.
• Develop and maintain strong business relationships within our industry in an effort to continually strengthen and develop the company’s vendor base and expand the supplier network to create short-term and long-term value for Houdini.
• Ensure vendors offer competitive pricing by dual sourcing for their categories.
• Assure purchases of goods are made according to budgetary and other policies.
• Liaise with counterparts in other functional areas such as Design, Sourcing, Product Development, Sales, Production and Warehouse personnel to ensure alignment of activities in supporting customer deadlines.
• Works closely with Design for product development in the sourcing of new products that supports their budgetary needs.
• Identify vendor opportunities and challenges and ensure appropriate resolution to any challenges that may arise.
• Collaborate with Inventory Management team to ensure accurate Forecasting and inventory planning.
• Continually review current means and methods of purchasing and identify and recommend process improvements to increase efficiency and accuracy.
• Analyze vendor issues, negotiate pricing requirements as well as supplier terms and conditions.
• Proactively participate in the vendor approval process in conjunction with the Compliance and the Quality Assurance departments to qualify new vendors in order to provide optimum protection of the company’s assets with commercially sound contracts.

Knowledge/Skills/Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree required in Business, Supply Chain, Purchasing, Procurement/Acquisitions and contracts or similar.
• 7 years of relevant Director of Purchasing experience or similar experience.
• Experience working globally, a plus.
• Strong working knowledge of inventory planning, forecasting techniques as well as operational systems and warehouse management
• Inquisitive, detail-oriented with strong quantitative analytical skills and an innovative approach to problem solving
• Excellent MS Office (Excel, MSQuery, Access, PowerPoint) capabilities required
• Strong written communication and presentation skills required.
• Strong interpersonal skills, the ability to mentor, manage and develop staff.