Results

When a top-performing regional distributor faced the pending retirement of a key executive, timing was everything. With 25+ locations and a complex supply chain, they needed a seasoned leader who could seamlessly take the reins of their corporate purchasing function.

SnapDragon Associates led the executive search and successfully placed a Director of Corporate Purchasing to guide the transition and drive the company’s purchasing strategy forward.

A Company Built on Smart Growth

The client, a major regional building materials distributor, operates across multiple states and serves contractors, builders, and remodelers with a diverse range of products, including lumber, windows, doors, decking, cabinetry, drywall, roofing, and more. Known for embracing innovation, they’ve made strategic acquisitions and invested heavily in digital transformation and supply chain optimization to elevate the customer experience.

As the company grew, the importance of having a centralized and data-driven purchasing strategy also increased. With their Vice President of Corporate Purchasing nearing retirement, they needed a skilled successor who could step in and lead without disruption.

SnapDragon Associates Places Director of Corporate Purchasing to Lead Strategic Transition

SnapDragon Associates was engaged to lead the executive search for this critical leadership role. Given the rural footprint of the company’s headquarters and the importance of strong industry relationships, the search required a highly targeted approach.

The team focused on identifying candidates with multi-branch experience, strong vendor relationships, and a proven ability to manage complex purchasing operations. Within 90 days, SnapDragon Associates delivered six highly qualified candidates, leading to a final selection after a rigorous interview process involving the board, senior leadership, and company ownership.

A Leader with Market Experience and a Data-Driven Mindset

The selected candidate brought over 16 years of experience in purchasing and merchandising, most recently at a national building materials retailer with a similar scale and product mix. Already based in the region, they required no relocation and came with well-established vendor relationships and a deep understanding of local market dynamics.

In addition to leading purchasing functions across multiple locations, the candidate had a proven track record of driving sales through intelligent merchandising strategies, enhancing inventory management, and utilizing data to inform buying decisions.

Seamless Transition, Immediate Impact

The timing couldn’t have been better. The new hire was onboarded 30 days before the outgoing executive’s retirement, enabling a smooth handoff and immediate engagement with teams and suppliers.

Early successes included leveraging existing vendor relationships to secure favorable terms and bringing in additional high-quality talent from their professional network, further strengthening the team near corporate headquarters.

This successful placement reinforces SnapDragon Associates’ reputation as the go-to executive search firm for strategic leadership roles in the building materials industry.

About SnapDragon Associates

SnapDragon Associates is the trusted executive search partner for top building materials companies nationwide, as well as in Canada and Mexico. We specialize in connecting manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and private equity-backed firms with high-impact leadership talent in sales, operations, finance, and executive management.

With a proven track record and deep industry knowledge, we don’t just fill roles, we help businesses thrive.Learn more about our executive search solutions for the building materials industry.

To explore more of our successful placements, visit our Case Studies page.