VP of Merchandising & Procurement

The Vice President of Procurement and Merchandising is a senior leadership role responsible for defining and executing the organization’s sourcing, category management, and product strategy. This highly visible position plays a critical role in driving profitability, enhancing supplier partnerships, and shaping the evolution of the company’s product portfolio.

The VP will lead end-to-end procurement and merchandising functions, ensuring alignment with overall business objectives while delivering value through cost optimization, innovation, and market responsiveness. This leader will leverage data-driven insights to inform assortment decisions, strengthen vendor performance, and identify opportunities for growth and differentiation.

Essential Job Responsibilities

- Lead the development and execution of company-wide procurement and merchandising strategies aligned with business objectives and growth targets - Oversee sourcing, vendor selection, contract negotiation, and supplier performance management to ensure cost efficiency, quality, and reliability - Drive category management strategies, including assortment planning, pricing, lifecycle management, and promotional optimization - Partner cross-functionally with operations, finance, marketing, and sales to align product strategy with customer demand and market trends - Identify and implement opportunities for margin expansion through strategic sourcing, cost optimization, and product innovation - Build and maintain strong, strategic relationships with key suppliers to foster collaboration, innovation, and long-term value creation - Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate supplier performance, category profitability, and merchandising effectiveness - Lead demand forecasting and inventory optimization efforts to ensure product availability while minimizing excess and obsolescence - Champion data-driven decision-making by leveraging analytics to inform purchasing, pricing, and assortment strategies - Drive continuous improvement initiatives across procurement and merchandising processes to increase efficiency and scalability - Ensure compliance with company policies, regulatory requirements, and ethical sourcing standards - Lead, mentor, and develop high-performing procurement and merchandising teams, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and innovation - Monitor market dynamics, competitive activity, and industry trends to proactively adjust strategies and maintain a competitive advantage - Support new product development and portfolio expansion initiatives in partnership with product development and marketing teams

Principal Skills & Attributes Required

- Must have grocery or F&B experience - 10+ years of leadership experience in procurement, merchandising, or category management - Proven ability to lead Category Management and or Buying teams - Strong background in supplier negotiations, sourcing strategy, and cost management - Demonstrated ownership of financial performance including margin and P&L - Advanced analytical skills with the ability to translate data into business decisions - Strong leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills - Inspiring, collaborative leader who can motivate and guide teams. A hands-on leadership approach that thrives in a collaborative environment. - Strong financial management skills, including budgeting, forecasting, and cost control. - Deep understanding of the retail industry, market trends, and consumer behavior. - Effective written and verbal communication skills. Ability to convey strategy and results to executive teams and stakeholders. - Ability to analyze data and use insights for decision-making. - Ability to pivot and address challenges in a constantly evolving industry. Innovative problem-solver open to change and continuous improvement. - Customer- and end-user–oriented perspective - Demonstrates humility, sound judgment, and respect for cross-functional expertise - Unwavering commitment to ethics, integrity, and high professional standards