Director of Procurement - Produce

Position Overview:

As the Director of Produce & Floral, you will be responsible for leading the sourcing, purchasing, and supply chain management of fresh produce within the distribution network. This role ensures quality, cost efficiency, and supplier compliance while maintaining strong relationships with growers, suppliers, wholesalers and customers. The Director works closely with merchandising, sales, operations, and food safety teams to ensure a consistent, high-quality supply of produce that meets customer demands and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement strategic procurement plans for fresh produce to optimize cost, quality, and availability.
• Identify, evaluate, and establish partnerships with growers, suppliers, and wholesalers to ensure reliable sourcing.
• Negotiate pricing, contracts, and volume commitments to optimize cost savings and enhance margins, in collaboration with Marketing and Sales programs.
• Monitor market trends, seasonality, weather conditions, and supply chain disruptions to anticipate procurement challenges.
• Source organic, locally grown, and sustainable produce to meet consumer demand and company initiatives.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with domestic and international growers, farms, and importers.
• Conduct supplier audits to ensure compliance with food safety, quality control, and sustainability standards.
• Oversee vendor performance, fulfillment rates, inventory turns and on-time deliveries.
• Develop and manage alternative sourcing strategies to mitigate risks and ensure supply continuity.
• Develop demand forecasting models to align procurement strategies with sales trends and minimize shrinkage.
• Ensure just-in-time inventory management to maintain freshness and reduce waste.
• Collaborate with distribution teams to ensure timely deliveries and maintain optimal service levels.
• Manage procurement and supply trade relation budgets, cost projections, and vendor pricing negotiations.
• Analyze commodity pricing, freight costs, and supplier margins to optimize cost-effectiveness.
• Implement cost-saving initiatives while maintaining high-quality standards.
• Monitor market fluctuations and currency impacts to make informed purchasing decisions.
• Ensure all produce procurement activities comply with FDA, USDA, FSMA, and GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) regulations.
• Work with food safety and quality assurance teams to implement supplier certification and inspection programs.
• Partner with sales, merchandising, and marketing teams to align procurement strategies with customer needs.
• Provide insights on category trends, consumer preferences, and product innovations.
• Support private label and exclusive product development initiatives.
• Performing other duties as assigned by leadership
• Manage P&L and quality control to ensure financial performance and product standards.
• Oversee operations and merchandising to streamline processes and improve product presentation.

Schedule:

• On-Site M-F Business Hours & As needed

Experience:

• Preferred: Master’s or Bachelors degree in Supply Chain Management, Agribusiness, Food Science, or a related field
• Preferred: Ten (10) years of experience leading produce and floral procurement, category management, or perishable food distribution
• Preferred: Knowledge of produce ripening stages, quality grading, and cold chain logistics
• Preferred: Proficiency in ERP, procurement software, and demand forecasting tools
• Preferred: Proficiency in supplier negotiations, contract management, and commodity pricing
• Proficiency in English (written and verbal) to effectively communicate with associates and leadership