Food distribution
Procurement professionals in Food distribution
These ten professionals hold or have held procurement, purchasing and category roles at food distribution companies. A reader can learn how food distributors choose and negotiate with suppliers, plan inventory across product categories and keep supply steady for the customers they serve.
Professionals to explore
01—10Bernie Orsini
LinkedInExperience: SVP of Procurement · Harvest Sherwood Food Distributors
Former SVP of Procurement at Harvest Sherwood Food Distributors (2024–2025). His profile describes extensive experience in foodservice distribution, including vendor negotiations. Also EVP of Procurement at GS Foods Group since 2025. Other listed roles include Area President at US Foods (2020–2023), Area President at US Foods (2016–2020) and Division President at US Foods (2013–2016).
Brian Perry
LinkedInExperience: Vice President Procurement, Corporate · Performance Food Group
Former Vice President Procurement, Corporate at Performance Food Group (2024–2026). His profile describes leading large-scale, multi-site purchasing operations. Other listed roles include Area Vice President of Marketing, Merchandising, Procurement, & Pricing Memphis & Little Rock DC's at US Foods (2017–2022), Stock Yards Development Manager at US Foods (2016), SW Regional Category Manager Beef, Pork, Poultry, & Seafood at US Foods (2014–2015) and Business Development & Category Operations Manager at US Foods (2006–2014).
Caroline Harju
LinkedInExperience: Director of Procurement · UNFI
Former Director of Procurement at UNFI (2022–2024). Also Director, Process and Demand Planning at SpartanNash since 2025. Other listed roles include Inventory Management Process Improvement and Training Principal at SpartanNash (2025), Senior Manager, U.S. Supply Chain (Centralized Purchasing) at Martin Brower (2020–2022) and Manager, Global Operations Support at Martin Brower (2018–2020).
Chad M. Sterner
LinkedInExperience: Procurement Manager · Dutch Valley Food Distributors Inc.
Procurement Manager at Dutch Valley Food Distributors Inc. since 2024. His profile says his responsibilities include sourcing from over 100 vendors, daily inventory management and contract negotiations. Also Senior Buyer at Dutch Valley Food Distributors Inc. since 2017. Other listed roles include Purchasing Agent at Dutch Valley Food Distributors Inc. (2000–2017), Junior High Soccer Coach at Conrad Weiser Middle School (2014–2016) and General Manager at Country Fare Catering (1999–2000).
Kevin Naze
LinkedInExperience: Director of Sourcing, Produce · The Chefs' Warehouse
Director of Sourcing, Produce at The Chefs' Warehouse since 2023. His profile says he has led sourcing programs and site operations at multiple locations. Other listed roles include Sr Director Purchasing at Calavo Growers (2021–2023), Business Consultant at FreshPoint, Inc. (2021), Vice President, Merchandising and Revenue Management - Corporate Senior Team at FreshPoint, Inc. (2017–2020) and President - Denver, Colorado at FreshPoint, Inc. (2012–2017).
Marissa Schefflan
LinkedInExperience: Director of Procurement · Roland Foods, LLC
Director of Procurement at Roland Foods, LLC since 2025. Her profile describes expertise in global sourcing, category management and supply and demand planning in the food import and distribution industry. Other listed roles include Director of Category Management at Roland Foods, LLC (2024–2025), Associate Director, Supply and Demand Planning at Roland Foods, LLC (2023–2024), Senior Manager, Supply and Demand Planning at Roland Foods, LLC (2022–2023) and Senior Category Manager at Roland Foods, LLC (2022).
Regan Figueroa
LinkedInExperience: National Category Director Specialty Cheese · KeHE Distributors
Former National Category Director Specialty Cheese at KeHE Distributors (2018–2022). Also Sr. Director Procurement & Partnerships at World Import Distributors since 2022. Other listed roles include National Category Specialist-- Specialty Foods at UNFI (2016–2018), Category Manager--Specialty cheese at Roundy's Supermarkets, Inc. (2012–2016) and Associate Director of Procurement MW Specialty Operations at Whole Foods Market (2002–2012).
Rosie Kissel
LinkedInExperience: Head of Procurement · Harvest Prime
Head of Procurement at Harvest Prime since 2025. Her profile says she leads purchasing across categories for Harvest Prime, which it describes as a food distribution platform with three subsidiary brands. Other listed roles include Director of Supply at Walden Local Meat Co. (2024–2025), Director of Impact at Armonia LLC (2022–2024), Associate at Armonia LLC (2018–2022) and Analyst at Armonia LLC (2016–2018).
Scott Wauschek
LinkedInExperience: Director of Frozen Food Purchasing & Sales · Harvest Sherwood Food Distributors
Director of Frozen Food Purchasing & Sales at Harvest Sherwood Food Distributors since 1993. Other listed roles include General Sales Manager at Sidari's Italian Foods (1989–1993) and Key Account Exectutive & Sales Supervisor at Rykoff-Sexton Foods (National Foodservice Distributors) (1983–1989).
Tom Hermes
LinkedInExperience: SVP Procurement · Merchants Distributors, LLC
SVP Procurement at Merchants Distributors, LLC since 2025. His profile describes Merchants Distributors as a wholesale food distributor serving grocers across the East Coast. Other listed roles include Vice President, Sourcing and Product Development at Whole Foods Market (2021–2025), Vice President, Sourcing Center Store at Topco Associates LLC (2021), Sr Director, Sourcing - Dairy Frozen Grocery HBC GM Regional at Topco Associates LLC (2020–2021) and Business Unit Sr Director, Dairy Bakery Frozen at Topco Associates LLC (2017–2020).
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's categories, such as produce, frozen or specialty foods, and their type of distributor to the decision you face. Check whether their relevant role is current or past, and ask for one supplier decision they made and what it did to cost and service.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01Walk me through how you decided to add or drop a supplier in one of your categories. What evidence did you rely on?
- 02Tell me about a time a supplier shortage or price spike hit your business. How did you respond, and what would you do differently?
- 03How do you balance price, fill rate and quality when you negotiate with food suppliers?
Reaching procurement professionals in Food distribution
How can I contact one of these procurement professionals in Food distribution?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 9 companies, including Harvest Sherwood Food Distributors, Performance Food Group and UNFI, based on profile data retrieved on October 1, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach procurement professionals in Food distribution?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
You pay nothing. Instant Expert sends follow-up reminders, and if the person hasn't booked or answered within 7 days, the request expires and any hold on your card is released. You can invite several of the 10 people on this list at once and cap your total spend, so you pay only for the ones who accept.
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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