Purchasing assistant h1.location_city

Director of Purchasing, Cincinnati OH Our client has been in the business of getting the right products to the right retailers for over 60 years — and they are not slowing down.

As a wholesale distributor of Health & Beauty Care products, Cosmetics, and General Merchandise, they serve a diverse and growing network of Grocery Stores, Drug Stores, Nutritional Supply Stores, Beauty Supply Retailers, College Bookstores, Spas & Salons, and E-Commerce platforms.

They move fast, think strategically, and take pride in the vendor relationships and product expertise they have built over decades.

Now they are looking for a sharp, savvy Director of Purchasing to lead our procurement operations into the next chapter.

The Role The Director of Purchasing is the heartbeat of our product strategy.

You’ll own the full purchasing lifecycle — from negotiating with vendors and expanding our catalog to managing your team and aligning with Sales, Finance, Marketing, and Distribution.

This is a high-impact, highly visible leadership role where your decisions directly shape what our customers can offer their shoppers.

What You'll Do Lead the Purchasing Function Set strategy and direction for all procurement operations across product categories Personally manage key vendor relationships and hold the team accountable for the rest Negotiate pricing, payment terms, and shipping agreements that keep us competitive Oversee purchase order creation, on-time delivery, and accurate invoicing Drive continuous cost savings without sacrificing quality or service Build & Grow the Catalog Use consumer insights, market intelligence, and sales data to identify category growth opportunities Lead new vendor qualification and onboarding activities Attend trade shows, industry conferences, and vendor events to stay ahead of market trends Collaborate with Sales to align the assortment with channel-specific and promotional needs Manage Your Team Lead, coach, and develop the purchasing team — from hiring and training to performance management Delegate effectively while staying close to the work that matters most Partner across functions to translate purchasing decisions into business outcomes Drive Strategy & Analytics Develop and manage the annual purchasing budget with rigorous tracking and executive reporting Analyze sales trends, inventory turns, fill rates, and margin performance to optimize stock levels Establish and monitor vendor performance KPIs Partner with Sales and Operations on demand forecasting to minimize overstock and stockouts Leverage ERP and procurement systems to streamline workflows and generate actionable reporting Monitor and ensure compliance with applicable regulatory requirements (FDA, FTC, state-level) for HBC, OTC, and dietary supplement products What We’re Looking For 10+ years of progressive experience in purchasing, procurement, or supply chain — wholesale distribution, CPG, or related industry preferred 5+ years in a leadership or management role Experience buying HBC, cosmetics, personal care, OTC, or dietary supplement products (a big plus!) Proven track record of negotiating favorable vendor contracts and delivering measurable cost savings Advanced Excel skills and proficiency with ERP/inventory management systems Strong analytical and data-driven mindset Exceptional negotiation and relationship-building skills Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business Administration, or related field; MBA or Master’s preferred What to Expect Location:

• 100% on-site at our westside Cincinnati office Travel: Up to 15% domestic travel for trade shows, vendor visits, and industry events Team: You’ll lead a dedicated purchasing team with real support from cross-functional partners Legacy: Join a company with 60+ years of distributor relationships and a reputation that opens doors If you’re a strategic thinker who loves the deal, knows the product landscape, and can lead a team with confidence — we want to hear from you. Powered by JazzHR