The Director of Direct Sourcing for General Merchandise develops and executes sourcing strategies that deliver cost savings, quality assurance, and supply continuity across assigned categories. This role manages supplier relationships, negotiates contracts, and ensures compliance with company standards. The director collaborates closely with Merchandising, Supply Chain, and Quality teams to align sourcing decisions with category strategies, mitigate risk, and support organizational growth through operational excellence and supplier performance. This role has a particular focus on helping Kroger scale Direct Imports of General Merchandise. This role and team will be responsible for capturing savings while delivering on cost, quality, availability and other customer and business needs. They also support suppliers and merchants with production forecasts, product flow & instock support, and collaboration with Supply Chain on lowering landed cost.

• Bachelors Degree in related field
• 10+ years of experience in procurement, category management, sourcing, or merchandising
• Experience overseeing complex general merchandising portfolios while driving innovation
• Expert understanding of how global trade policies, commodity fluctuations, and supply disruptions impact product costs
• Proven ability to develop strong alignment across Merchandising, Planning, and Quality teams on assortment decisions, sourcing timelines, and promotional strategies
• Experience using deep market knowledge and analytics to interpret trends
• Experience developing relationships with a diverse supplier base and understanding their capabilities, constraints, and strategic value
• Analytical skills in commodity pricing, finished goods pricing, supplier tracking, and risk modeling and product distribution

• Lead the execution of sourcing strategies for assigned General Merchandise categories by managing sourcing events (RFIs, RFPs, direct negotiations), evaluating supplier capabilities, and finalizing contracts in alignment with enterprise goals and brand vision.
• Develop and manage strategic supplier relationships through performance reviews, corrective action plans, and fostering supplier collaboration to drive continuous improvement, innovation, and trend alignment.
• Partner with Legal, Quality, and Compliance teams to lead contract negotiations, ensuring all agreements meet regulatory, safety, and corporate policy requirements while supporting business objectives.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Merchandising, Our Brands, Supply Chain, and Finance to align sourcing plans with promotional calendars, assortment strategies, and brand evolution initiatives.
• Oversee and guide SKU-level forecasting for use in production planning, order planning and distribution planning for suppliers and Kroger.
• Integrate ESG and responsible sourcing principles into sourcing decisions by evaluating supplier sustainability practices and aligning with Kroger's environmental and social impact goals.
• Build and Lead a High-Performing Team: Provide strategic leadership and mentorship to a team of sourcing and analytics professionals who drive innovation, champion best-in-class practices, and align talent capabilities with enterprise-wide goals. Guide leaders who manage direct supplier relationships and operational execution, while setting clear expectations, offering coaching, and delivering performance feedback. Foster a culture of ownership, continuous improvement, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure the team consistently delivers strategic impact.
• Oversee supplier onboarding and qualification processes, ensuring new vendors meet Kroger's operational, quality, and compliance standards.