Director of Purchasing & Inventory

Company Overview: Earnest Machine is a wholesale distributor of industrial metal fasteners that has been serving customers for 78 years. We offer employees the opportunity to make a significant impact within a growth-oriented organization that strongly values accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Job Summary: We are seeking a hands-on Director of Purchasing & Inventory who will roll up their sleeves and get things done. This person will own the full purchasing life cycle for our wholesale distribution business, setting the overall purchasing and inventory strategy and leading the day-to-day work to execute that strategy. The right candidate is highly organized, analytical, and detail-oriented; uses technology to work smarter; and builds strong relationships with suppliers and coworkers. What We're Looking For: Strategic & Tactical Leader: You can set the strategy AND implement it. You bring best practices from your prior experience to strengthen the team’s structure and processes with a focus on training and development.Advanced Technology Skills: You are highly skilled in ERP systems, modern data analysis tools, and Excel; you learn new tools quickly and use automation to work more efficiently.Analytical Mindset: You rely on data to make purchasing and inventory decisions, and you turn numbers into clear, practical actions.Strong Attention to Detail: You catch errors before they become problems and keep the company’s system data accurate.Highly Organized & Process-Oriented: You manage many priorities at once, follow through on every commitment, and build clear, repeatable processes that others can follow.Excellent Communication & Relationship Skills: You are highly responsive to all inquiries and requests. You communicate clearly in writing and in person, and you build trusted, productive relationships with suppliers, coworkers, and leadership.Team Builder: You enjoy leading and developing a small, capable team of approximately five FTEs, creating an environment where employees are supported, challenged, and growing professionally. Key Responsibilities: Purchasing& Inventory Purchasing Strategy: Develop and execute purchasing, sourcing, and inventory plans that support customer demand, service level agreements, cash flow parameters, and financial goals.Daily Purchasing: Lead and personally handle day-to-day purchasing, including quotes, negotiations, purchase orders, delivery confirmations, expediting, pricing issues, and supplier follow-up.Inventory Management: Monitor demand, inventory levels, lead times, reorder points, safety stock, turns, stockouts, and excess or obsolete inventory across all company distribution centers. Suppliers& Cost Supplier Relationships: Build and maintain strong relationships with domestic and international suppliers; lead supplier selection, negotiations, contracts, performance reviews, and backup sourcing.Cost & Risk Management: Find cost savings and stay ahead of market changes, supplier risk, product availability, freight, tariffs, and other supply-chain issues. Data, Systems & Processes Data & Analytics: Use forecasts, usage history, customer demand, and market trends to make sound purchasing and replenishment decisions; track and report key performance indicators (KPIs).Technology: Keep ERP data accurate and complete; use reporting tools, automation, and other technology to improve efficiency, forecasting, and decision-making.Process Improvement: Document, standardize, and continuously improve purchasing processes so work is consistent, accurate, and efficient. Leadership & Collaboration: Team Leadership: Lead and support purchasing personnel, including setting priorities, assigning work, training, coaching, giving performance feedback, supporting hiring, and promoting cross-training and accountability.Collaboration: Work hand-in-hand with Sales to anticipate and meet customer demand, as well as with Distribution, Technology, Finance, and Quality to ensure efficiency, transparency, and adherence to company standards and policies. Keep Sales, leadership, and other internal teams informed of purchasing priorities, plans, and the real-time status of orders. Qualifications: Required Experience: 8+ years of progressive experience in purchasing, supply chain, or inventory management, including hands-on purchasing responsibilityLeadership: Experience leading, coaching, and developing a team, as well as managing up (i.e., keeping leadership informed and aligned)Supplier & Negotiation Skills: Proven experience in sourcing, supplier management, negotiations, contracts, and improving supplier performanceInventory Knowledge: Working knowledge of inventory planning, forecasting, replenishment, and lead timesTechnology Skills: Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and strong experience with ERP and procurement systems and reporting toolsTravel: Occasional domestic and international travel to supplier locations, trade shows, or industry events may be required Preferred Education: Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, business, operations, logistics, or a related field; equivalent experience will be consideredIndustry Experience: Background in industrial distribution, fasteners, metal products, or a related technical product environmentMicrosoft Dynamics: Experience with Microsoft Dynamics ERPCertification: Professional certification such as CPIM, CPSM, or CSCPSecondary Language Skills: Ability to communicate in a second language to support relationships with international suppliers