Purchasing Manager

Sanmina is a global manufacturing powerhouse, generating over $13 billion in annual revenue with a dedicated team of 40,000+ innovators across 21 countries. We support a world-class customer base with groundbreaking products and manufacturing services.

About the role

We are seeking a high-energy, ambitious Purchasing Manager to join the leadership team for our brand-new Houston manufacturing facility. This is a "Greenfield" project for a facility specializing in high-complexity, mission-critical industrial components. This high-visibility leadership role is designed for a strategic procurement professional looking to own the end-to-end supply chain for a major facility launch. You will be the architect of the supply chain workflows for a high-complexity industrial environment, moving beyond simple transactions to drive strategic department leadership and operational excellence.

Responsibilities

• Department Foundation: Design and execute procurement protocols and vendor onboarding processes for a new facility managing a high volume of unique, technical components and specialty raw materials.
• Team Leadership: Direct and mentor a core team of 1–2 Buyers, establishing KPIs and a culture of proactive supply chain management.
• Operational Execution: Execute procurement activities based on sourcing decisions made by the Global Strategic Sourcing team. Manage specialized sourcing of customer-mandated "buy items" alongside a complex portfolio of OEM parts and custom-fabricated components.
• Technical Commodity Management: Oversee the procurement of high-spec raw materials (metals, chemicals, and specialized fluids) ensuring technical compliance and continuity of supply.
• Strategic Sourcing & TCO: Utilize Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) models to drive sourcing decisions beyond just the initial price point, accounting for logistics, quality, and lead times.
• Vendor Relationship Management: Maintain and manage relationships with suppliers—including international vendors—to ensure strict adherence to quality standards, payment terms, and delivery schedules.
• Inventory Optimization: Monitor and manage inventory levels in close coordination with planning and suppliers to ensure inventory turns match operational targets, particularly for long-lead-time items.
• KPI Execution & Tracking: Lead supplier performance reviews and manage weekly supply buys. Actively track and manage Purchase Price Variance (PPV) to ensure favorable financial outcomes.
• Supply Chain Integration: Coordinate closely with the global commodity team to ensure the arrival of precision-engineered components is synchronized with raw material availability and production schedules.
• Margin Stewardship: Protect plant profitability through aggressive lead-time management and sophisticated pricing negotiations with technical vendors.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field is required.
• 6–8+ years of progressive experience in industrial procurement, specifically within heavy manufacturing.
• Experience in heavy industrial manufacturing, complex assembly, or precision-engineered equipment is a significant advantage.
• Proficiency in Oracle or SAP is highly preferred. Candidates must understand how to leverage Tier-1 ERP systems to manage complex data.
• Ability to interpret technical specifications, engineering drawings, and navigate complex Bills of Materials (BOMs) to effectively negotiate with custom fabrication and OEM vendors.

Qualifications

Professional designations such as CPSM or CSCP are a strong plus.