Strategic Buyer/Category Manager (Grand Rapids)

American International is seeking an on-site Strategic Buyer to lead the strategy, development, and performance of assigned ingredient categories. Serving as the CEO of the category, this individual will identify, qualify, and commercialize both existing and new ingredients and suppliers that accelerate the company's growth. The successful candidate will strengthen supply chain resiliency, create value, and help establish a procurement center of excellence that drives top- and bottom-line results.

The ideal candidate is proactive, commercially minded, and analytical, and works comfortably with suppliers, customers, and internal teams across Sales, Supply Chain, Quality, Logistics, Finance, and Operations.

Key Responsibilities:

Category Leadership

• Develop and execute category strategies that drive revenue growth, margin improvement, and supply chain resiliency
• Negotiate supplier agreements that enhance margin and market competitiveness
• Execute trading, PO timing, and hedging strategies informed by predictive analytics and commodity market trends
• Identify and commercialize new ingredients, private-label opportunities, and products that complement existing lines
• Resolve cost, quality, and delivery challenges through the Corrective Action Request (CAR) process

Supplier Relationship Management

• Build first call partnerships with key strategic suppliers through structured business reviews and engagement models
• Develop supplier relationships that evolve into exclusive U.S. distribution opportunities
• Request and evaluate RFPs, including pricing, MOQs, lead times, capacity, payment terms, Incoterms, and logistics
• Conduct preliminary supplier qualifications and coordinate formal approval with Quality
• Maintain a current database of suppliers, products, certifications, and commercial terms

Innovative Sourcing

• Research manufacturers, producers, exporters, and distributors to identify alternative and backup sources
• Identify substitute ingredients when supply is unavailable or commercially uncompetitive
• Pursue private-label, consignment inventory, and re-pack opportunities
• Identify geographic regions offering competitive advantages for specific ingredients and customers
• Prepare sourcing reports comparing suppliers, origins, specifications, pricing, and logistics

Commercial Growth and Inventory Strategy

• Partner with Sales to identify high-potential ingredients, develop targeted campaigns, and convert wins into recurring business
• Equip Sales with product information, competitive positioning, pricing guidance, and availability
• Track category sales performance to ensure top-line goals are achieved
• Own warehouse inventory strategy by location, including on-hand levels, aging, turns, and replenishment

Process, Technology, and Data

• Lead technology, automation, and process improvement initiatives within supply chain
• Build predictive category models using internal and external data to guide domestic and global strategy

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Sales, Purchasing, Quality/Regulatory, Warehouse/Operations, Finance, and Management to align sourcing decisions with business objectives

Qualifications:

• 7+ years of experience in sourcing, purchasing, procurement, or supply chain
• Experience in food ingredients, food manufacturing, chemicals, or commodities strongly preferred
• Demonstrated success developing supplier strategies and strategic partnerships
• Strong negotiation and analytical skills, including evaluation of landed cost, margin, and supply risk
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong organizational and project management abilities, with capacity to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and business systems
• Leadership experience preferred
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Finance, Operations, Logistics, Procurement, or a related field preferred

Core Competencies:

• Commercial Mindset: Pursues profitable supply solutions, not simply the lowest price
• Hunter Mentality: Continuously seeks new suppliers, products, and markets
• Analytical Thinking: Evaluates pricing, landed cost, margins, and commercial viability
• Supplier Development: Turns initial conversations into reliable sources of supply
• Execution: Drives opportunities from discovery through qualification, sampling, pricing, and commercialization
• Problem Solving: Identifies alternative suppliers, products, and origins when challenges arise

WHO IS AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL FOODS

We are an industry-leading wholesale ingredient supplier serving food and beverage manufacturers nationwide. Our portfolio includes more than 2,500 high-quality ingredients, allowing us to meet a wide range of customer needs across the industry.

Our team is made up of passionate, knowledgeable professionals who take pride in solving critical challenges and delivering exceptional value to our customers. Guided by our mission to “perpetually create unsurpassed value in the ingredient distribution business,” we are committed to excellence in everything we do.

Headquartered in West Michigan, we leverage strong relationships with hundreds of ingredient producers around the world to provide high-quality materials to manufacturers and processors in the food and beverage, pet food, and personal care industries.

OUR INDUSTRY

Food is a powerful medium. It’s daily, it’s family, it’s cultural, it’s passionate, it’s ever evolving, it’s our connection to earth, and it’s a connection to spirit and a higher power. In the presence of food, we have birthdays, first dates, weddings, family discussions, celebrations, we conduct business lunches, and we go out to share beverages with friends. There is not a more impactful and connected industry than this.

OFFICE LOCATION

Our one-of-a-kind facility is located in Ada, Michigan on the banks of the Grand River. We sit right off Fulton Street East in a beautifully restored barn, with a silo addition in 2020 for additional office space. Our unique facility strips away the “institutional” feel to provide a comfortable and distinctive office environment.

*Monday - Friday 8am to 5pm | Onsite | No Nights or Weekends*

Benefits: