Purchasing Manager
About the role
The Purchasing Manager will lead the procurement efforts for a new Houston manufacturing facility specializing in high-complexity, mission-critical industrial components. This role is part of a "Greenfield" project and requires a strategic procurement professional with experience in heavy manufacturing.
Responsibilities
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.
Direct and mentor a core team of 1–2 Buyers, establishing KPIs and a culture of proactive supply chain management.
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.
Oversee the procurement of high-spec raw materials (metals, chemicals, and specialized fluids) ensuring technical compliance and continuity of supply.
Utilize Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) models to drive sourcing decisions beyond just the initial price point, accounting for logistics, quality, and lead times.
Maintain and manage relationships with suppliers—including international vendors—to ensure strict adherence to quality standards, payment terms, and delivery schedules.
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.
Lead supplier performance reviews and manage weekly supply buys.
Actively track and manage Purchase Price Variance (PPV) to ensure favorable financial outcomes.
Carefully coordinate with the global commodity team to ensure the arrival of precision-engineered components is synchronized with raw material availability and production schedules.
Protect plant profitability through aggressive lead-time management and sophisticated pricing negotiations with technical vendors.
Requirements
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field is required.
Professional Tenure: 6–8+ years of progressive experience in industrial procurement, specifically within heavy manufacturing.
Industry Focus: Experience in heavy industrial manufacturing, complex assembly, or precision-engineered equipment is a significant advantage.
Systems Expertise: Proficiency in Oracle or SAP is highly preferred. Understanding how to leverage Tier-1 ERP systems to manage complex data is essential.
Technical Fluency: Ability to interpret technical specifications, engineering drawings, and navigate complex Bills of Materials (BOMs) to effectively negotiate with custom fabrication and OEM vendors.
Qualifications
Certifications (Preferred): Professional designations such as CPSM or CSCP are a strong plus.
Skills
Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Strong analytical and organizational skills.
Experience with ERP systems.
Technical fluency in interpreting BOMs and engineering drawings.
Benefits
Sanmina offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.
Pay
$75,000 - $95,000 annually
Schedule
Full-time position