Purchasing Manager

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the purchasing team, including recruiting, developing, training, and providing performance feedback to staff.
• Cook up and execute purchasing strategies that support the company’s goals, ensuring the timely acquisition of materials and supplies.
• Work closely with the Sourcing Manager to improve supplier performance and address any issues related to quality, delivery, or pricing.
• Monitor and optimize inventory levels to reduce warehousing costs and improve JIT procurement processes.
• Collaborate with internal teams, including Quality Control, Manufacturing, and Planning, to ensure the timely and accurate sourcing of materials.
• Drive cost-saving initiatives and implement strategies to achieve cost reduction targets across all purchasing categories.
• Ensure that the purchasing process aligns with organizational quality standards, regulatory compliance, and sustainability goals.
• Manage the purchasing team’s workload to ensure that all purchasing functions are carried out efficiently and effectively.
• Oversee the day-to-day management of purchase orders, ensuring timely processing and delivery of materials.
• Monitor and track key purchasing metrics and KPIs to ensure purchasing objectives are met and improve operational efficiency.
• Collaborate with finance to control procurement budgets, ensuring purchasing goals are met while staying within budgetary constraints.
• Aid in the implementation and continuous optimization of the MRP module for effective material planning and procurement.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records on supplier performance, inventory levels, and purchasing activity.
• Ensure compliance with all company policies, procedures, and regulations, particularly those related to procurement and purchasing.
• Drive continuous improvement efforts in the purchasing function, leveraging Lean principles, Six Sigma, and other process optimization tools.

Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Supply Chain, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in procurement, purchasing, or related functions.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience managing a team of 6+ direct reporting employees.
• Strong understanding of purchasing principles, practices, and supply chain management.
• Specific know-how for procuring packaging materials such as corrugate, plastics, and films, including various vendors and material characteristics.
• Knowledge of bulk chemical raw material preferred.
• Experience in collaborating with cross-functional teams, including Sourcing and Quality teams, to ensure alignment of procurement strategies and execution.
• Proven track record of managing purchasing operations and optimizing inventory and procurement processes.
• Ability to prioritize, organize, and manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment while maintaining accuracy and meeting deadlines.
• Strong affinity toward details, timeliness, and cost control.
• Recognizes urgency and influences others to assist without compromising rapport.
• Has self-direction and self-motivation to achieve performance expectations.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in managing teams and driving staff development.
• Strong understanding of Lean manufacturing, Just-In-Time (JIT), and inventory management processes.
• Experience with supplier performance monitoring and applying corrective actions as needed, in collaboration with Sourcing and Quality teams.
• Proficient in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software, such as SAP or Oracle, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Familiarity with MRP, Material Requirements Planning, and inventory management systems.
• Advanced skills in data analysis, reporting, and vendor management tools.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to interact effectively with internal teams, suppliers, and senior management.
• Active listening skills, with the ability to understand and address stakeholder concerns.