Kitchen Equipment Buyer

Location: Hybrid in Chicago

Our client is building on a strong foundation in high volume distribution and category growth, and they are looking for a commercially minded buyer to help shape a smarter, more responsive equipment purchasing strategy. This is an opportunity to step into a visible role that blends supplier partnership, inventory decision making, pricing support, and cross functional collaboration. For someone who enjoys fast moving environments and wants real influence over product availability, margin performance, and category execution, this position offers strong exposure and room to grow.

The Kitchen Equipment Buyer will support purchasing activity across assigned equipment and related supply categories. This person will help maintain product flow, improve inventory performance, and strengthen supplier execution while partnering with internal teams to keep the business aligned on service, cost, and category priorities.

What You Will Do

• Guide sourcing and replenishment activity for commercial kitchen equipment and adjacent operating supply categories, balancing customer demand, inventory health, and business goals.
• Review purchasing needs using sales trends, stock levels, open orders, and lead times to help maintain strong product availability without creating unnecessary excess.
• Build effective vendor relationships, monitor pricing and supply changes, and support negotiations tied to cost, delivery performance, and item continuity.
• Maintain accurate item, cost, and pricing information in internal systems, helping protect margin performance and reporting accuracy.
• Partner with operations, distribution, and internal stakeholders to address receiving issues, product concerns, transitions, and other day to day category challenges.
• Support new item setup, assortment updates, and supplier onboarding activities for assigned categories.
• Use Excel and reporting tools to evaluate category movement, identify risks, and recommend actions that improve turns, service levels, and overall results.
• Contribute to promotional and category planning efforts by helping align purchasing activity with broader business initiatives.

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain, merchandising, operations, or a related field is preferred.
• Approximately 1 to 5 years of experience in purchasing, inventory planning, merchandising, supply chain, or category support.
• Background in foodservice, hospitality supply, equipment distribution, retail, wholesale, or other fast paced product environments is helpful.
• Strong Excel and analytical skills, with the ability to work comfortably with reports, trends, and item level detail.
• Solid organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a deadline driven setting.
• Clear communication skills and a practical, solution-oriented approach when working with vendors and internal teams.

What Is Offered

• Competitive compensation aligned with experience.
• Bonus potential based on performance.
• Comprehensive benefits package.
• Health, dental, and vision coverage.
• Retirement savings support.
• Paid time off.
• The chance to grow your career in a highly active purchasing environment where your work directly impacts category performance and customer satisfaction.

About Blue Signal:  

Blue Signal is an award-winning, executive search firm specializing in various specialties. Our recruiters have a proven track record of placing top-tier talent across industry verticals, with deep expertise in numerous professional services. Learn more at bit.ly/46Gs4yS