Bunzl plc
Vice President of Global Purchasing - Distribution
Bunzl plc, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States, 63146
Vice President of Global Purchasing - Distribution
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The Vice President of Global Purchasing is a senior leader responsible for overseeing the procurement of over $4 billion in goods purchased both domestically and internationally, supporting a distribution network of over 50 centers. This role ensures operational excellence in purchasing execution, demand planning, and supplier engagement, with a focus on enabling strategic sourcing decisions through strong cross-functional collaboration.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Team Management
Lead a direct team of 80 professionals focused on import purchasing and demand planning.
Provide strategic oversight and indirect leadership to 130 buyers across domestic and international markets.
Develop talent, foster collaboration, and drive performance across a geographically dispersed team.
Operational Execution
Ensure timely and cost-effective purchasing execution aligned with demand forecasts and inventory strategies.
Oversee import operations, compliance, and coordination with logistics and distribution teams.
Monitor and manage purchasing KPIs including service levels, lead times, and inventory health.
Supplier Engagement Support
Collaborate with sourcing and supplier relationship teams to support supplier partnerships and performance.
Participate in supplier meetings and occasional travel to supplier sites to reinforce alignment and execution.
Ensure purchasing operations are aligned with supplier capabilities and strategic goals.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Partner with sourcing, supply chain, finance, and product teams to support business objectives.
Contribute to planning and forecasting processes to ensure supply continuity and responsiveness.
Support risk mitigation efforts through proactive communication and operational agility.
Qualifications
15+ years of experience in purchasing, supply chain, or procurement operations.
Proven leadership in managing large-scale purchasing teams and complex import operations.
Strong understanding of global supply chain dynamics, demand planning, and purchasing systems.
Excellent communication, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement skills.
Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
Company and Benefits Bunzl is a global leader in the Cleaning & Hygiene, Food Processing, Grocery, Health Care, Non-Food Retail, and Safety industries. We have grown both organically and through acquisitions, with sales in excess of $10 billion. Bunzl North America is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri and serves all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Canada and parts of the Caribbean and Mexico. With more than 5,000 employees and 400,000 plus suppliers, Bunzl is regarded as a leading supplier in North America.
Bunzl Distribution offers competitive salaries, a comfortable work environment, and a full range of benefits including a 401(k) with a company match.
Equal Opportunity Employer. This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
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The Vice President of Global Purchasing is a senior leader responsible for overseeing the procurement of over $4 billion in goods purchased both domestically and internationally, supporting a distribution network of over 50 centers. This role ensures operational excellence in purchasing execution, demand planning, and supplier engagement, with a focus on enabling strategic sourcing decisions through strong cross-functional collaboration.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Team Management
Lead a direct team of 80 professionals focused on import purchasing and demand planning.
Provide strategic oversight and indirect leadership to 130 buyers across domestic and international markets.
Develop talent, foster collaboration, and drive performance across a geographically dispersed team.
Operational Execution
Ensure timely and cost-effective purchasing execution aligned with demand forecasts and inventory strategies.
Oversee import operations, compliance, and coordination with logistics and distribution teams.
Monitor and manage purchasing KPIs including service levels, lead times, and inventory health.
Supplier Engagement Support
Collaborate with sourcing and supplier relationship teams to support supplier partnerships and performance.
Participate in supplier meetings and occasional travel to supplier sites to reinforce alignment and execution.
Ensure purchasing operations are aligned with supplier capabilities and strategic goals.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Partner with sourcing, supply chain, finance, and product teams to support business objectives.
Contribute to planning and forecasting processes to ensure supply continuity and responsiveness.
Support risk mitigation efforts through proactive communication and operational agility.
Qualifications
15+ years of experience in purchasing, supply chain, or procurement operations.
Proven leadership in managing large-scale purchasing teams and complex import operations.
Strong understanding of global supply chain dynamics, demand planning, and purchasing systems.
Excellent communication, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement skills.
Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
Company and Benefits Bunzl is a global leader in the Cleaning & Hygiene, Food Processing, Grocery, Health Care, Non-Food Retail, and Safety industries. We have grown both organically and through acquisitions, with sales in excess of $10 billion. Bunzl North America is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri and serves all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Canada and parts of the Caribbean and Mexico. With more than 5,000 employees and 400,000 plus suppliers, Bunzl is regarded as a leading supplier in North America.
Bunzl Distribution offers competitive salaries, a comfortable work environment, and a full range of benefits including a 401(k) with a company match.
Equal Opportunity Employer. This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
#J-18808-Ljbffr