Job Description
Are you looking for a new opportunity with a strong, stable and financially smart company? Do you want the opportunity for advancement in your career? If so, Gordon Food Service could be the place for you; for more than a century we have been honoring our promises to our customers and employees. As one of the largest privately held foodservice distributors in North America, our family-owned company has a history of pursuing innovative ideas and building strong relationships.
The continued growth of current and new markets allows for the addition of new talent to join our team. We re seeking great people looking for professional and personal growth and a place to make a difference in people s lives. If you are interested in joining an innovative, supportive, values-driven company, we invite you to consider a career with Gordon Food Service.
As a LEAD CATEGORY BUYER, you will manage and lead the vendor negotiation and cost discovery process for assigned category in a timely and efficient manner, while collaborating with Director of Category Management, Category Managers, North American Director of Strategic Procurement and Strategic Procurement Manager. You will also negotiate fully landed product cost solutions that appropriately contribute to the financial goals of the Merchandising Services Team and achieve divisional objectives. Along with managing documents and confirming accurate negotiation cost attributes that are implemented in purchase agreement documents and cost system applications. This position will also maintain an appropriate knowledge of product categories, vendors and markets, communicating that information with team members as appropriate. Lastly, you will be responsible for leading and coaching the category with negotiation skills development
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THIS POSITION:
LEADERSHIP
* Leads and manages all procurement process activities for assigned product category in support of category commitments and initiatives, including mentoring all category members on negotiation skill development and techniques.
* Leads project initiatives, beyond product, to ensure efficient procure-to-pay'' cycle.
VISION & PLANNING
* Assists the Category Director with the development and implementation of the Annual Operating Plan, Competitive Market Review (negotiation) calendar and corresponding realized savings financial commitments, including regular status updates.
* Supports the planning and execution of strategies resulting in optimal value for Gordon Food Service by balancing fully landed cost of goods (bottom line), without compromising commitments to growth (top line).
COMMUNICATION & RELATIONSHIP BUILDING
* Responsible for engaging shareholders (i.e., divisions, category managers, etc.) to understand business needs, and responsible for developing negotiation strategies to achieve objectives.
* Responsible for leading discussions with business owners, leaders, and key decision makers within the supply base to achieve unique, collaborative, yet globally competitive sourcing solutions that differentiate GFS from its competitors.
* Communicates category negotiation updates to the Category Leader councils.
* Collaborates with Category and Brand Managers to provide strategic support of GFS brand(s) sales initiatives.
CATEGORY & VENDOR MANAGEMENT
* Understands and leverages both broadline foodservice distribution and retail market needs to develop and execute best in class sourcing solutions.
* Responsible for all phases of Competitive Market Reviews for defined product categories, including development of negotiation strategies, tactics, and execution plans to achieve desired outcomes, as well as the accurate transfer of negotiation points into a signed agreement and archived into the agreement system.
* Leads specific procurement initiatives within the category to achieve strategic business needs as assigned, including booking initiatives, regional sourcing strategies and Vendor Involvement Program (VIP) involvement.
* Ensures that agreement process results in accurate contract implementation as well as non-price considerations throughout the business cycle.
* Responsible for analyzing various inputs (ranging from cost, quality, support, service) and execute best value sourcing solutions.
* Maintains effective vendor relationships for continuous cost improvement or value creation initiatives.
* Critically monitors and analyzes assigned product categories and related product markets for cost-savings opportunities.
* Achieves category negotiated savings goal while ensuring mutual ownership of category goals.
* Sources supplies and items that meet defined specifications, performance, or functionality.
* Counsels and directs vendors toward continuous improvement in performance utilizing the vendor policy manual.
* Continually seeks to identify and reduce or eliminate process and system costs.
* Lends cost support to bid and chain account activity.
* Maintains knowledge of current trends and developments in the field by reading appropriate books, journals, and other literature and attending related conferences, seminars, etc. Maintains peer relationships in the field to share issues and ideas.
WHAT WE LOOK FOR IN A CANDIDATE:
* Preferably in Business Management, Supply Chain Management, or related field, or liberal arts preferred
* Seven years previous experience, (preferably in the food service industry), with procurement, operations, finance, quality assurance or another supply chain discipline.
* Negotiation abilities and working knowledge of vendor communities.
* Fluency in French or Spanish highly preferred.
* This position requires excellent leadership abilities and a positive attitude with a commitment to personal and professional success.
* Must have excellent analytical skills and be detail oriented with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
* Excellent organizational and time management skills.
* Must be able to accept and accomplish multiple and diverse assignments.
* Must be able to work independently and in a team environment.
* This position also requires a professional demeanor, honesty, integrity, drive, tenacity, determination, and a willingness to learn.
* Able to develop solutions to a variety of problems of moderate scope and complexity. Refers to policies and practices for guidance.
* Ability to demonstrate proficient written and conversational French and/or Spanish language skills is preferred.
WHY WORK FOR GORDON FOOD SERVICE?
Gordon Food Service is an equal opportunity employer.
All Gordon Food Service locations are tobacco free.
AJE Ref Number: 567530777
Contact Type: WEB
Web URL: http://www.americasjobexchange.com/job-detail/Lead-Category-Buyer-Grand-Rapids-MI-MI-AJE-567530777?r=0&source=michigan
