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.
• Other Requirements: Ability to communicate effectively by telephone, in person and through written communications. Ability to work in a fast-paced, demanding environment. Must be proactive and demonstrate a sense of urgency. Strong negotiation skills. Proficient in Microsoft Office suite (especially Excel). Must demonstrate ability to utilize ERP and MRP effectively. Ability to work shifts and hours mandated by management and to pass a drug screen.