Vice President of Procurement

Vice President of ProcurementThe Vice President of Procurement is a key executive responsible for leading all sourcing, supplier management, and procurement strategy. This role ensures supply continuity, cost competitiveness, and strong supplier partnerships across a highly cyclical, price-sensitive, and supply-constrained industry.The VP of Procurement will play a critical role in protecting gross margin, improving inventory turns, and strengthening supply resilience across core product categories such as HVAC, and related building materials.Core ResponsibilitiesEnterprise Procurement StrategyDevelop and execute a category-based procurement strategy aligned with revenue growth and margin expansion goalsBuild sourcing strategies that account for commodity volatility and industry demand cyclesAlign procurement priorities with branch operations, sales forecasts, and customer demand patternsSupplier & Vendor ManagementManage relationships with domestic and international suppliers across key building product categoriesNegotiate pricing agreements, rebates, and volume incentivesEstablish and maintain preferred supplier programs and strategic partnershipsDiversify the supply base to reduce dependency on single-source or constrained suppliersConduct regular supplier business reviews and performance evaluationsCost Management & Margin OptimizationDrive gross margin improvement through disciplined buying and price managementMonitor product markets and adjust sourcing strategies accordinglyLead annual cost-down initiatives and rebate optimization programsPartner with Finance and Sales to ensure pricing alignment and margin discipline across branchesInventory & Supply Chain CoordinationWork closely with Operations to balance service levels with inventory investmentReduce stockouts, backorders, and excess inventory through improved supplier reliability and forecasting alignmentImprove inventory turns while maintaining high service levelsSupport the branch network with allocation strategies during constrained supply periodsRisk Management & Supply ContinuityDevelop contingency sourcing strategies for high-demand or constrained materialsMonitor global supply chain disruptions impacting building materials availability and pricingImplement supplier risk assessments and mitigation plansEnsure continuity of supply during peak construction seasons and market shortagesLeadership & Team DevelopmentLead and develop a procurement team by establishing clear KPIsBuild a high-performance, data-driven procurement organizationFoster collaboration between Procurement, Sales, Operations, and branch leadershipSystems & Process ImprovementOptimize procurement systems, including ERP platforms, pricing tools, and supplier portalsImprove purchase order workflows, approval processes, and spend visibilityLeverage analytics to improve demand forecasting and supplier performance trackingDrive automation and standardization across procurement processesQualificationsExperience10–15+ years of experience in procurement, sourcing, or supply chain leadership5+ years of experience in a senior leadership role, preferably at the Director or VP levelStrong experience in building products, construction materials, industrial distribution, or a similar sector requiredProven success managing supplier-heavy, commodity-influenced categoriesDemonstrated experience leading multi-level procurement or sourcing teamsSkills & CompetenciesStrong negotiation and supplier management expertise, with the ability to advance sourcing priorities confidently in commodity-driven marketsStrong decision-making ability in fast-moving, commercially sensitive environmentsDeep understanding of building materials supply chain dynamics, market conditions, and supplier performanceAbility to manage margin pressure, pricing fluctuations, supply disruptions, and changing business needsStrong financial and analytical acumen, including pricing, margin, rebates, inventory economics, purchase price variance, and supplier performanceComfortable operating independently while coordinating across multiple business functionsAble to shift direction quickly in response to market conditions, supply disruptions, and changing business needsStrong communication skills with executives, branch leaders, and suppliers regarding priorities, tradeoffs, and performance expectationsAbility to work within structured systems and standards while improving process effectivenessExperience with ERP platforms such as P21, SAP, Oracle, Infor, NetSuite, or similar systemsEducationBachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Finance, or a related field requiredMBA or other advanced degree preferredKey Performance Indicators (KPIs)Gross margin improvement at both the category and enterprise levelPurchase price variance compared with market benchmarksSupplier fill rate and on-time delivery performanceInventory turns and stockout reductionAnnual cost savings and rebate captureWorking capital efficiency through inventory optimizationBlevins, Inc. is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.