AUI Fine Foods
Overview
Director, Global Logistics and Purchasing Join to apply for the Director, Global Logistics and Purchasing role at AUI Fine Foods. About Albert Uster Imports
Albert Uster Imports, Inc. (AUI) is a privately held gourmet food company headquartered in the Washington, DC area (Gaithersburg, MD) with warehouse locations in Kansas City, Las Vegas, Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Gurnee and Gaithersburg. AUI is part of the Vestar Capital Partners portfolio with affiliate organization, Roland Foods, LLC. Founded in 1968, the company offers over 1,400 products from around the world and serves hotels, restaurants, casinos, cruise lines, airlines, and manufacturers with innovative, high-quality products and solutions. AUI operates a network of distribution centers across the U.S. and serves select international markets. AUI has a national direct selling organization of over 60 sales professionals and a staff of culinary experts (chefs and food scientists) adept at custom product solutions. Role Summary
AUI Fine Foods is seeking an experienced and strategic Director, Global Logistics and Purchasing to lead and oversee our purchasing function. The Director will be responsible for developing and executing procurement strategies, managing supplier relationships, and optimizing purchasing processes to ensure product availability while driving cost savings and operational efficiency. The ideal candidate will have deep knowledge of procurement best practices, inventory control, international import and domestic logistics, strong negotiation skills, and a proven track record of managing purchasing operations. The Director will report to the Senior VP, Operations and play a key role in the company’s growth. This position is based at AUI Fine Foods’ Gaithersburg, MD headquarters and may involve hybrid work as described by company policy.
Responsibilities
Strategy Development: Develop and implement procurement strategies aligned with company objectives. Identify cost-saving opportunities, evaluate market trends, and establish long-term supplier relationships. Supplier Management: Lead supplier selection, negotiate contracts, manage relationships with key suppliers, evaluate performance, and develop supplier scorecards. Purchasing Operations: Oversee requisitions, order placement, import (ocean) and domestic logistics, and contract management. Implement best practices and standard operating procedures to streamline processes, reduce lead times, and ensure policy compliance. Cost Savings: Drive cost-saving initiatives through strategic vendor management, value engineering, and contract negotiations. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify opportunities and implement cost-effective solutions without compromising quality. Risk Management: Assess and mitigate risks related to purchasing and global logistics; develop contingency plans to ensure continuity of supply. Team Leadership: Provide leadership to purchasing and global logistics teams; foster a collaborative, high-performance culture and ensure effective cross-functional communication. Stakeholder Collaboration: Partner with innovations, operations, and finance to align strategies with business objectives and support internal stakeholders. Thought Leadership: Collaborate with senior leadership to drive innovation and value creation. Other activities or initiatives as directed by the Senior VP, Operations.
Qualifications
Required
8+ years of progressive management-level operational experience Experience with supply chain logistics processes including transportation planning, inventory control, and demand planning Proven ability to manage high-complexity projects on schedule and within budget Excellent written and verbal communication skills Preferred
Ocean import experience Experience with Business Central Ability to lead cross-functional partnerships and initiatives Data-driven leadership with KPI focus Knowledge of business processes and systems; ability to implement best practices Change management skills and stakeholder management Talent development track record Bilingual English/Spanish is a plus
Salary and Benefits
Salary range: $135,000 - $165,000 base. This role is bonus eligible. The company will determine the offered salary at its sole discretion based on qualifications and experience.
Equal Opportunity
AUI is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in hiring or employment decisions based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy or related conditions), marital status, ancestry, disability, veteran status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or other legally protected characteristics. AUI provides reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans. For accommodations, contact peopleandculture@rolandfood.com.
Please read Albert Uster Import’s California Job Applicant Privacy Policy here.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Director, Global Logistics and Purchasing Join to apply for the Director, Global Logistics and Purchasing role at AUI Fine Foods. About Albert Uster Imports
Albert Uster Imports, Inc. (AUI) is a privately held gourmet food company headquartered in the Washington, DC area (Gaithersburg, MD) with warehouse locations in Kansas City, Las Vegas, Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Gurnee and Gaithersburg. AUI is part of the Vestar Capital Partners portfolio with affiliate organization, Roland Foods, LLC. Founded in 1968, the company offers over 1,400 products from around the world and serves hotels, restaurants, casinos, cruise lines, airlines, and manufacturers with innovative, high-quality products and solutions. AUI operates a network of distribution centers across the U.S. and serves select international markets. AUI has a national direct selling organization of over 60 sales professionals and a staff of culinary experts (chefs and food scientists) adept at custom product solutions. Role Summary
AUI Fine Foods is seeking an experienced and strategic Director, Global Logistics and Purchasing to lead and oversee our purchasing function. The Director will be responsible for developing and executing procurement strategies, managing supplier relationships, and optimizing purchasing processes to ensure product availability while driving cost savings and operational efficiency. The ideal candidate will have deep knowledge of procurement best practices, inventory control, international import and domestic logistics, strong negotiation skills, and a proven track record of managing purchasing operations. The Director will report to the Senior VP, Operations and play a key role in the company’s growth. This position is based at AUI Fine Foods’ Gaithersburg, MD headquarters and may involve hybrid work as described by company policy.
Responsibilities
Strategy Development: Develop and implement procurement strategies aligned with company objectives. Identify cost-saving opportunities, evaluate market trends, and establish long-term supplier relationships. Supplier Management: Lead supplier selection, negotiate contracts, manage relationships with key suppliers, evaluate performance, and develop supplier scorecards. Purchasing Operations: Oversee requisitions, order placement, import (ocean) and domestic logistics, and contract management. Implement best practices and standard operating procedures to streamline processes, reduce lead times, and ensure policy compliance. Cost Savings: Drive cost-saving initiatives through strategic vendor management, value engineering, and contract negotiations. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify opportunities and implement cost-effective solutions without compromising quality. Risk Management: Assess and mitigate risks related to purchasing and global logistics; develop contingency plans to ensure continuity of supply. Team Leadership: Provide leadership to purchasing and global logistics teams; foster a collaborative, high-performance culture and ensure effective cross-functional communication. Stakeholder Collaboration: Partner with innovations, operations, and finance to align strategies with business objectives and support internal stakeholders. Thought Leadership: Collaborate with senior leadership to drive innovation and value creation. Other activities or initiatives as directed by the Senior VP, Operations.
Qualifications
Required
8+ years of progressive management-level operational experience Experience with supply chain logistics processes including transportation planning, inventory control, and demand planning Proven ability to manage high-complexity projects on schedule and within budget Excellent written and verbal communication skills Preferred
Ocean import experience Experience with Business Central Ability to lead cross-functional partnerships and initiatives Data-driven leadership with KPI focus Knowledge of business processes and systems; ability to implement best practices Change management skills and stakeholder management Talent development track record Bilingual English/Spanish is a plus
Salary and Benefits
Salary range: $135,000 - $165,000 base. This role is bonus eligible. The company will determine the offered salary at its sole discretion based on qualifications and experience.
Equal Opportunity
AUI is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in hiring or employment decisions based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy or related conditions), marital status, ancestry, disability, veteran status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or other legally protected characteristics. AUI provides reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans. For accommodations, contact peopleandculture@rolandfood.com.
Please read Albert Uster Import’s California Job Applicant Privacy Policy here.
#J-18808-Ljbffr