Job DetailsJob Location: Bolingbrook, IL 60440Salary Range: $125,000.00 - $175,000.00 SalaryAt Global Market Foods (GMF), we have united eight industry-leading importers and distributors under one dynamic company with a shared mission: to deliver authentic, high-quality international foods that honor global culinary traditions. With decades of experience, each GMF division plays a vital role in preserving the heritage and flavors of the regions they represent:

Ziyad Brothers – Leaders in Middle Eastern specialty foods
Global Choice Foods – Experts in South Asian and Indian products
Vintage Foods – Providers of Turkish and European specialties
Indo-European Foods – Trusted source for European specialty products
Sunburst Foods – Specialists in African and Caribbean foods
Sahadi Fine Foods – Pioneers in Middle Eastern specialty products
Asli Fine Foods – Purveyors of authentic South Asian and Middle Eastern staples
UBC Distributors – Distributors of premium global food brands

Together, we offer an extensive portfolio of over 7,000 products across 8 divisions, meeting the growing demand for diverse, global flavors. GMF is committed to providing customers with unparalleled access to authentic international brands, exceptional service, and innovative food solutions. With a deep respect for culinary traditions and a passion for excellence, we continue to expand our reach, ensuring the rich flavors of the world are always within reach.

At GMF, our culture is rooted in family values—supporting our teams with the same dedication we bring to our business. As we enter a period of rapid growth and transformation, we are seeking a Director of Purchasing and Supply Planning to help drive our vision forward and contribute to our continued success.

Job Description 

The Director of Purchasing and Supply Planning is responsible for tactical purchasing and supply execution for imported ethnic and specialty food products, ensuring high item availability across a diverse, long-tail SKU portfolio while controlling inventory levels and freight costs. This role leads the purchasing team and owns day-to-day supplier ordering, purchase order execution, inventory positioning, and ocean freight coordination.

The Director operates in a complex food-importing environment characterized by variable demand, long lead times, MOQs, shelf-life constraints, and region-specific sourcing, working closely with Sales, Operations, Quality, and Logistics to maintain service levels and product integrity.

Essential Role Functions

Own item availability and service levels across a broad ethnic and specialty food assortment, including long-tail SKUs with uneven demand patterns.
Minimize out-of-stocks while managing inventory freshness, aging, and spoilage risk in a shelf-life-sensitive environment.
Execute tactical purchasing activities including order timing, order sizing, MOQ compliance, and supplier follow-up across multiple regions of origin.
Convert forecasts, sales signals, and promotional activity into accurate purchase orders while accounting for extended transit times and port variability.
Establish and maintain inventory targets and safety stock levels by item, supplier, and origin, balancing service levels and working capital.
Lead, coach, and performance manage the purchasing team with clear priorities, execution standards, and accountability.
Oversee purchase order placement, confirmation, revisions, tracking, and resolution of shortages, delays, substitutions, or quality issues.
Coordinate closely with Quality, Compliance, and Operations to ensure imported products meet food safety, labeling, regulatory, and country-of-origin requirements.
Own ocean freight execution including container planning, mixed-SKU container optimization, booking coordination, and transit monitoring.
Manage relationships with freight forwarders, customs brokers, and internal logistics teams to ensure on-time arrivals and rapid issue resolution.
Track and report KPIs including fill rate, out-of-stock rate, days of supply, inventory aging, spoilage exposure, and freight cost.
Drive continuous improvement in purchasing accuracy, execution discipline, inventory health, and cross-functional communication.

Work Experience/Requirements for This Role

Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, Operations, Business, or related field.
8–12+ years of progressive experience in supply planning, purchasing, or supply chain leadership.
Proven experience leveraging KPI’s while managing and developing teams.
Strong understanding of inventory planning, global sourcing, and ocean freight logistics.
Advanced Excel skills; SAP or similar ERP experience highly preferred
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment.
 

Schedule

Days: (flexibility on weekends if required)
Hours: (flexibility as needed)
Work Location: Bolingbrook, IL

Benefits

MIP Bonus (10%-20% based on experience)
401(k) matching
Dental insurance
Disability insurance
Health insurance
Life insurance
Paid time off
Parental leave
Tuition reimbursement
Vision insurance

Global Market Foods is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Qualifications