Manager, Purchasing

Manage a team of production planners, purchasing specialists/buyers, and support staff engaged in purchasing, receiving, and controlling materials, supplies, and services. Oversee the purchasing process from requisition to receipt, ensuring compliance with company policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements. Manage vendor and supplier relationships and establish department procedures to ensure timely, cost-effective delivery of goods and services.

Responsibilities

• Manage the purchasing process from sourcing to delivery, ensuring compliance with company policies and standards.
• Provide work direction to staff in the purchasing department.
• Monitor and review purchase requisitions, supply sources, quotations, terms, purchase orders, etc.
• Expedite orders to ensure constant supply against schedule changes.
• Serve as the escalation point for invoice issues, shipping errors, late deliveries, replacement of materials not meeting specifications, and order cancellations; keep stakeholders updated.
• Ensure appropriate inventory levels are attained and managed, meeting or exceeding procurement and inventory KPIs.
• Identify, evaluate, and select suppliers based on quality, reliability, and cost-effectiveness; conduct regular performance reviews.
• Lead negotiations with suppliers to secure favorable terms and pricing while maintaining strong vendor relationships.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand purchasing requirements and develop purchasing plans.
• Monitor market trends and industry developments to identify risks and opportunities for cost savings or process improvements; recommend corrective actions.
• Recommend major purchases based on anticipated price changes or unusual availability situations.
• Oversee the purchasing budget and track expenses to ensure adherence to financial targets.
• Ensure procurement records (e.g., items purchased, costs, delivery, product quality, performance, inventories) are accurate and up-to-date.
• Prepare regular reports and presentations for senior management on key procurement and inventory metrics, trends, and recommendations.
• Implement tools and systems to streamline processes, improve efficiency, and enhance visibility into purchasing, inventory control, and production planning.
• Lead, mentor, and develop purchasing staff; hire, train, supervise, and evaluate department staff.
• Participate in continuous improvement projects and provide input into procurement, inventory control, and production planning strategies.

Requirements

• Undergraduate degree in accounting, business, economics, supply chain management, or related field (or equivalent combination of experience and education).
• 5 to 8 years of procurement, purchasing, supply chain management, finance, or related experience with demonstrated leadership attributes.
• 1+ year of management experience preferred.
• Certification and/or license may be required during employment.
• Travel: 5%-15% (1-3 times per year).

Skills

• Strong knowledge of procurement best practices, sourcing strategies, supply chain, and contract negotiation techniques.
• Strong negotiation, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and company computer systems.
• Ability to multitask, prioritize workloads, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to lead a team to achieve departmental goals.
• Strong organizational skills to manage time, energy, and resources effectively.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Must be able to read, write, and speak English.

Pay

$100,000 - $125,000 / year