Purchasing Manager

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop the Purchasing team, establishing clear expectations, accountability, and performance objectives while fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Ensure the Purchasing team meets or exceeds key performance indicators (KPIs) related to supplier performance, inventory management, cost savings, on-time delivery, and material availability.
• Develop and execute purchasing strategies that support production schedules, inventory objectives, and overall business goals.
• Monitor procurement metrics and supplier performance, implementing corrective actions, process improvements, and countermeasures to ensure consistent delivery, quality, and cost performance.
• Oversee inventory planning by utilizing MRP and ERP systems to maintain appropriate inventory levels and ensure uninterrupted production.
• Review demand forecasts, production schedules, and ERP reports to ensure adequate material availability while minimizing excess inventory.
• Identify, assess, and proactively mitigate supply chain risks through contingency planning and supplier development initiatives.
• Lead supplier selection, negotiations, contract management, and ongoing supplier relationship management to achieve the best value in quality, cost, delivery, and service.
• Oversee the creation, approval, and maintenance of purchase orders, blanket orders, and procurement agreements while ensuring accuracy within the ERP system.
• Partner with suppliers to communicate production requirements, monitor commitments, resolve delivery issues, and ensure on-time material availability.
• Drive supplier performance through regular business reviews, quality metrics, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate with Operations, Production Planning, Engineering, Quality, Warehouse, Finance, and Accounting to support new product introductions, Engineering Change Notices (ECNs), inventory optimization, and production requirements.
• Lead cost reduction and value engineering initiatives while maintaining quality, supplier reliability, and operational efficiency.
• Oversee freight and logistics coordination to ensure timely delivery of purchased materials and minimize transportation costs.
• Manage receiving discrepancies, supplier returns, and vendor performance issues to ensure prompt resolution and minimal operational disruption.
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve purchasing policies, procedures, standard work, and best practices.
• Utilize ERP systems, Microsoft Office (particularly Excel), and reporting tools to analyze procurement data, forecast material requirements, and support strategic decision-making.
• Monitor supplier quality performance by reviewing non-conformances, ensuring corrective actions are implemented, and communicating performance expectations with key suppliers.
• Participate in and lead cross-functional continuous improvement initiatives focused on reducing costs, improving supplier performance, enhancing inventory accuracy, and increasing operational efficiency.
• Prepare and present purchasing, supplier, inventory, and cost performance reports to senior leadership.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in business or supply chain or equivalent work experience.
• Experience: Five years of purchasing and sourcing experience, international purchasing background. Previous supervisor experience in a purchasing role.