Materials & Purchasing Manager

This is a permanent, fully onsite position based in Elkmont, AL.

About the Role

The Materials & Purchasing Manager ensures uninterrupted material flow to support manufacturing operations while optimizing inventory levels, supplier performance, and procurement costs. This role leads purchasing, materials planning, inventory control, and supplier management activities to meet safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives.

Responsibilities

• Purchasing & Supplier Management
  • Develop and execute purchasing strategies aligned with business objectives.
  • Source, negotiate, and manage supplier agreements and contracts.
  • Evaluate supplier performance on quality, delivery, cost, and responsiveness.
  • Lead supplier development and corrective action initiatives.
  • Identify cost reduction and continuous improvement opportunities.
• Materials Planning & Inventory Management
  • Ensure material availability to support production schedules.
  • Manage MRP/ERP planning processes and inventory accuracy.
  • Establish inventory targets and monitor inventory turns.
  • Reduce excess, obsolete, and slow-moving inventory.
  • Coordinate cycle counts and physical inventory activities.
  • Supervise Shipping & Receiving activities.
• Operations Support
  • Collaborate closely with Production, Engineering, Quality, and Finance teams.
  • Support new product introductions and engineering change management.
  • Resolve material shortages and supply chain disruptions.
  • Develop contingency plans to mitigate supply risks.
• Team Leadership
  • Lead and develop purchasing and materials personnel.
  • Establish department goals, KPIs, and performance metrics.
  • Coach team members and promote a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
  • Support succession planning and employee development.
• Reporting & Compliance
  • Monitor purchasing spend and budget performance.
  • Ensure compliance with company policies and procurement procedures.
  • Prepare and present supply chain performance reports to leadership.
  • Maintain compliance with applicable quality and regulatory requirements.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Supplier On-Time Delivery (%)
• Inventory Turns
• Material Shortage Incidents
• Purchase Price Variance (PPV)
• Inventory Accuracy
• Supplier Quality Performance (PPM)
• Cost Savings Achievement
• Production Schedule Attainment

Requirements

• Education
  • Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations Management, Engineering, or a related field.
  • MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• Experience
  • 5+ years of purchasing, materials management, or supply chain leadership experience.
  • Manufacturing environment experience required.
  • Experience managing suppliers and contract negotiations.
  • Previous supervisory or management experience preferred.
• Technical Skills
  • Strong ERP/MRP systems experience (Infor LN, SAP, Oracle, JD Edwards, etc.).
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and data analysis, including Power BI.
  • Inventory management and demand planning experience.
  • Understanding of procurement and supply chain best practices.
• Leadership Competencies
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams.
  • Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
  • Results-oriented with strong organizational skills.

Preferred Certifications

• APICS CPIM
• APICS CSCP
• CPSM (Certified Professional in Supply Management)
• Lean Manufacturing Certification
• Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt

Skills

• Purchasing
• Supplier management
• Inventory management
• Supply chain
• ERP/MRP systems
• Data analysis

Pay

The pay range for this position is $115,000.00 per year.

Benefits

• Three health insurance plans to choose from, one includes an employer contribution.
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with an employer contribution.
• Vision and Dental Insurance plans.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Dependent Spending Account (FSA) options.
• Company-paid life insurance, short-term and long-term disability coverage.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Supplemental Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance available at nominal rates.
• Discounts on travel and company products, including tools.
• Tuition reimbursement program.
• 401K with a 3% employer match/contribution.
• Paid vacation, plus three days of paid personal time off.
• 11 paid holidays.
• Weekly pay.
• Climate-controlled work environment with heating and air conditioning.