Director of Purchasing – Food and Distribution Industry

TPIS is seeking a Director of Purchasing for one of our clients in Puerto Rico’s food distribution and supermarket industry.

This position will lead purchasing strategy, supplier negotiations, and inventory planning for refrigerated, frozen, and dry products. The role is essential to optimizing costs, ensuring product availability, and achieving the organization’s financial and operational goals.

Experience and strong industry knowledge in food distribution, supermarkets, or a similar operation handling perishable and dry products are required.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute purchasing strategies aligned with the organization’s profitability, growth, and service objectives.

• Lead complex supplier negotiations to secure competitive pricing, favorable supply terms, and logistical efficiencies.

• Oversee inventory levels and product rotation to minimize losses from expiration, damage, or prolonged storage.

• Prepare and manage the department’s budget, monitor results, and implement corrective actions.

• Lead and develop the purchasing team, establishing goals, productivity standards, and performance indicators.

• Analyze market trends and identify opportunities to improve costs, product availability, and product selection.

• Collaborate with operations, logistics, and store teams to address purchasing and replenishment needs.

• Ensure compliance with food quality and safety procedures, including ISO 22000, HACCP, and Good Manufacturing Practices.

• Participate in decisions involving product recalls, inventory holds, product disposal, and regulatory inspections.

• Present results, risks, and recommendations to senior leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or a related field. Master’s degree preferred.

• At least 12 years of experience managing complex negotiations and directly overseeing purchasing-related functions.

• Experience in the food industry, supermarkets, food distribution, or a similar industry, with knowledge of perishable, refrigerated, frozen, and dry product inventories.

• Strong understanding of the relationship between purchasing, inventory, logistics, costs, and profitability.

• Knowledge of applicable state and federal regulations, as well as food quality and safety processes.

• Advanced proficiency in spoken and written English and Spanish.

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office and purchasing and inventory management systems.

• Proven ability to lead teams, develop talent, and build effective relationships with suppliers and operational teams.

• Excellent negotiation, analytical, planning, communication, and problem-solving skills.

• Availability to travel outside Puerto Rico up to 25% of the time.

Apply

If you have experience leading purchasing operations and supplier negotiations within the food industry or a similar environment, we invite you to apply and submit your updated résumé.

The client’s name will remain confidential during the initial stages of the recruitment process.

TPIS is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO Employer / Affirmative Action for Females / Disabled / Veterans). We comply with all Federal, State and Local laws regarding nondiscrimination.