Purchasing Director

Job Type: Full-time

Responsibilities

• Lead and continuously improve the Procurement function to reduce lead times, improve supplier performance, and optimize material costs through a Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and total landed cost approaches
• Develop and execute strategic sourcing initiatives for direct and indirect materials.
• Identify, evaluate, qualify, and manage supplier relationships to ensure quality, delivery, cost, and service expectations are consistently achieved.
• Negotiate pricing, contracts, terms, and long-term supplier agreements that support company objectives.
• Develop and maintain purchasing policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Utilize purchasing methodologies including Purchase Orders, Blanket Orders, supplier agreements, and strategic sourcing programs.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Operations, Production, and Sales to support new product introductions, engineering changes, and supplier development activities.
• Monitor supplier performance and implement corrective actions when necessary to ensure continuity of supply.
• Analyze market conditions, supplier capabilities, pricing trends, and supply risks to proactively support business needs.
• Drive alignment between changing procurement requirements and the company's ERP system to ensure accurate purchasing data and optimal system performance.
• Develop, track, and continuously improve key procurement performance indicators, including supplier on-time delivery, lead times, cost savings, purchase price variance, and supplier quality.
• Develop and maintain transparent communication with internal departments and external suppliers.
• Document purchasing processes, workflows, and standard operating procedures while identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Assist in developing new purchasing processes and procedural enhancements.
• Implement best practices utilizing Lean methodologies.
• Coach, mentor, and develop purchasing employees while monitoring compliance with company policies and procedures.
• Demonstrate a high level of professionalism while fostering mutual trust and respect with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Provide excellent customer service to both internal and external customers.
• Generate ideas and initiate action to solve problems and improve procurement processes.
• Comply with company safety policies, attendance expectations, and all company procedures while leading by example.
• Balance team and individual responsibilities, encourage collaboration, welcome feedback, and promote a positive, accountable team environment.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• 7–10 years of purchasing or procurement experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably supporting machining, fabrication, and assembly operations.
• 5+ years of purchasing leadership and supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated experience negotiating supplier contracts and developing strategic sourcing initiatives.
• Experience with MRP/ERP systems, preferably Traverse.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing procurement processes, supplier management, and purchasing best practices.
• Strong analytical ability to evaluate supplier performance, purchasing metrics, and cost-saving opportunities using a data-driven approach.
• Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and build strong supplier partnerships.
• Proven ability to drive results, hold self and team accountable, and promote continuous improvement.
• The job function is a mix of production floor, warehouse, and office environments.