The Director of Procurement owns enterprise procurement strategy, cost-savings delivery, vendor performance, and P&L accountability for all non-merchandise operational spend, partnering at a leadership level with Store Operations, Merchandising, Real Estate, Construction, and Accounts Payable to support new store openings, remodels, and seasonal resets. The role reports savings, cost avoidance, and category KPIs directly to executive leadership and operates in a fast-paced, cross-functional, multi-location retail environment where the Director is expected to own outcomes end-to-end rather than serve as a supporting participant.
Role Responsibilities
Procurement Strategy & Vendor Management
- Own procurement strategy, cost-savings, service targets, and P&L accountability for enterprise procurement efforts including store fixtures, operational supplies, signage, and related materials.
- Set vendor and sourcing strategy, including whether to consolidate, dual-source, or re-bid, and lead negotiation of contract terms, pricing, service levels, and volume commitments with key suppliers.
- Own vendor performance management - scorecards, business reviews, escalation, and contract renewal/renegotiation cycles - rather than one-time price negotiation.
- Lead RFP/RFQ strategy and vendor selection for new sourcing needs, and own the resulting contract lifecycle from award through renewal.
Cross-Functional Partnership & Forecasting
- Partner at a leadership level with Store Operations, Merchandising, Real Estate and Construction to build and own the procurement forecasting model for new store openings, remodels, and seasonal resets.
- Lead procurement's contribution to special projects - new store rollouts, rebranding initiatives, or supply chain changes - as the accountable owner, not a supporting participant.
Budget, Reporting & Compliance
- Own procurement spend-to-budget performance, identify and deliver cost-saving initiatives, and report savings, cost avoidance, and category KPIs to executive leadership.
- Establish and enforce purchasing policy, approval workflows, and compliance standards for enterprise procurement, balancing discipline with responsiveness.
- Own resolution design for invoice discrepancies in partnership with Accounts Payable, driving root-cause fixes rather than one-off corrections.
- Maintain and elevate reporting on procurement activity, vendor performance, and inventory accuracy for use in executive and cross-functional reviews.
Inventory Planning
- Establish and govern inventory planning and tracking standards across all locations to prevent stockouts and overstock.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Role Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Operations, or a related field required; Master's degree preferred.
- 5 years of progressive experience in procurement, purchasing, or supply chain, ideally within a multi-location retail environment.
- Proven track record negotiating vendor contracts at scale and delivering measurable, documented cost savings.
- Strong analytical and financial acumen - able to build spend and budget analyses, business cases, and executive-level reporting from imperfect or fragmented data.
- Proficiency with procurement/inventory/ERP systems, with experience selecting or implementing tools a plus.
- Excellent stakeholder management and executive communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience supporting new store openings, remodels, or multi-unit rollouts at scale.
- Familiarity with retail store operations and visual merchandising standards.
- Experience with procurement/P2P systems (e.g., Coupa, SAP Ariba, or similar).
Work Environment & Expectations
- Travel required to the corporate office, distribution locations, and stores for openings, remodels, and business reviews (approximately 15-25%).
- Must be able to sit at a computer or desk for extended periods of time.
- Must be able to operate keyboard and telephone for repetitive motion activities.
- Must be able to lift objects up to 50 lbs. with or without assistance.
- Must be able to communicate using speech, sight, and sound with or without assistive device.
The Perks
At Books-A-Million, we believe in taking care of our employees. As part of the team, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including:
Competitive Compensation: We offer competitive pay and performance-based incentives.
Health & Wellness: Medical, dental, and vision insurance to keep you healthy.
Paid Time Off (PTO): Enjoy generous PTO and paid holidays.
Employee Discounts: Get discounts on books and other products across our stores.
Retirement Savings: Build your future with our 401(k) plan and company contributions.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement
Books-A-Million is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming workplace. We celebrate and embrace differences, and we strive to create an environment where every individual feels valued and empowered. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their background or personal characteristics. We are dedicated to creating a culture of respect, equity, and opportunity for all employees, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply.