Procurement Manager

Description

Navis Food Partners, a leading foodservice company with annual revenues of $600 million, is currently seeking a highly qualified Procurement Manager for a dynamic, cross-functional role supporting our City Line Distributors operation in our West Haven, CT office.  

The Procurement Manager is responsible for developing and executing procurement strategies that ensure reliable supply, cost efficiency, and high-quality standards in support of the company’s operational and growth objectives. This role leads supplier management, purchasing, and inventory coordination while partnering cross-functionally to mitigate risk, control costs, and maintain compliance with food safety and regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

Supplier Management

• Negotiate pricing, terms, and service agreements with suppliers to achieve favorable commercial outcomes.
• Establish, maintain, and strengthen strategic relationships with vendors and key suppliers.
• Evaluate supplier performance related to cost, quality, service levels, and reliability, and take corrective action as needed.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, coach and develop a high-performing team of procurement professionals by setting clear expectations, providing ongoing feedback, and supporting performance and professional growth.
• Build a collaborative, accountable team culture by establishing scalable processes, allocating work effectively, and promoting continuous improvement.
• Support hiring, onboarding, and capability development as the organization grows, while modeling the company’s values and partnering effectively across the business. 

Procurement Strategy & Sourcing

• Develop and implement procurement strategies aligned with business goals, margin targets, and growth plans.
• Analyze market trends, commodity pricing, and supplier dynamics to inform sourcing decisions.
• Identify opportunities to consolidate suppliers, improve contract terms, and support long-term cost optimization.

Inventory & Order Management

• Monitor inventory levels and collaborate with warehouse, operations, and logistics teams to ensure product availability.
• Plan, place, and manage purchase orders to minimize shortages, excess inventory, and obsolescence.
• Ensure timely and accurate delivery of products in line with demand forecasts and operational needs.

Cost Control & Budget Management

• Manage procurement budgets and ensure purchasing decisions align with financial targets.
• Identify and implement cost-reduction initiatives without compromising quality, service, or food safety standards.
• Track procurement spend, savings, and variances; provide regular reporting to leadership.

Compliance & Quality Assurance

• Ensure procurement activities comply with company policies, food safety standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Partner with quality and food safety teams to ensure suppliers meet required certifications and quality expectations.
• Maintain accurate documentation related to contracts, pricing, supplier approvals, and compliance records.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with operations, logistics, sales, finance, and quality teams to align procurement with business needs.
• Communicate sourcing strategies, supply risks, and purchasing updates to internal stakeholders.
• Support new product introductions, promotions, and demand changes through proactive sourcing coordination.

Data Analysis & Reporting

• Leverage procurement systems and tools to track purchasing data, supplier performance, and market conditions.
• Prepare and present reports and insights related to spend, savings, supplier metrics, and risk exposure.
• Use data to drive continuous improvement and informed decision-making.

Risk Management & Continuity Planning

• Identify supply chain risks, including supplier concentration, market volatility, and logistics disruptions.
• Develop contingency plans and alternative sourcing strategies to ensure continuity of supply.
• Respond effectively to supplier issues and disruptions to minimize operational impact.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Minimum 10 years of procurement, sourcing, or supply chain experience, preferably in food distribution, manufacturing, or consumer products, with at least 3 years managing a team. 
• Proven experience negotiating supplier contracts and managing vendor relationships.
• Strong understanding of inventory management, forecasting, and supply chain operations.
• Working knowledge of food safety, quality standards, and regulatory requirements (e.g., FDA, USDA, etc.).
• Experience working cross-functionally with operations, finance, logistics, and sales teams.
• Proficiency with ERP, procurement, or inventory management systems, MS Office with advanced Excel skills.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.

 Core Competencies:

• Strategic Sourcing & Negotiation: Ability to develop sourcing strategies and negotiate favorable commercial terms.
• Cost Management & Financial Acumen: Strong understanding of budgets, margins, and cost drivers.
• Supplier Relationship Management: Builds trusted, performance-driven supplier partnerships.
• Inventory & Demand Planning: Balances availability, working capital, and service levels.
• Analytical & Data-Driven Decision Making: Uses data to identify trends, risks, and improvement opportunities.
• Risk Management & Problem Solving: Anticipates issues and develops practical contingency plans.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Effectively partners across departments to achieve business objectives.
• Attention to Detail & Compliance: Ensures accuracy, documentation, and adherence to standards.
• Adaptability & Continuous Improvement: Thrives in a fast-paced environment and drives ongoing process enhancements.