Purchasing Supervisor

About the role

IEM is seeking a Purchasing Supervisor for our San Antonio, TX location, reporting to the Supply Chain Manager. The role oversees the efficiency, compliance, and coordination of the purchasing department—focused on switchgear programs—without handling direct buying activity. It includes coaching the buying team, optimizing procurement workflows, managing supplier data, and supporting strategic sourcing while maintaining governance over program‑specific requirements. The position will be based temporarily in NE San Antonio while the new manufacturing plant comes online; the permanent location is approximately 25 minutes away at 7515 Inner Circle Dr., Brooks, San Antonio, TX 78235. This is a 100 % in‑office role with no remote work.

Key Responsibilities

• Understand and interpret demand requirements to make strategic and informed procurement decisions.
• Supervise the end‑to‑end purchasing process.
• Supervise and ensure the successful maintenance of department metrics and KPIs.
• Analyze, understand, and quantify risks to the supply chain; develop mitigation plans and present options to senior management.
• Engage and oversee projects with internal and external stakeholders to drive continuous improvement of the procurement process.
• Collaborate with internal departments to understand purchasing needs, resolve supply challenges, and improve material availability.
• Analyze vendor performance (quality, delivery, price, etc.) to maintain a strong, sustainable supply chain and make timely recommendations.
• Coordinate nonconformance issues with internal teams and suppliers in a timely manner.
• Interface with vendors and build relationships to maintain high‑level support throughout the procurement process.
• Supervise a team of assigned buyers.
• Operate with agility and resourcefulness in a changing environment; adopt a start‑up mindset and assist wherever needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain, or operations management (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
• At least 3 years of purchasing or buying experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication and organizational skills; ability to collaborate across all levels, drive continuous improvement, and apply Lean principles.
• Demonstrated career ambition with a track record of growth and increasing responsibility; highly promotable for broader leadership roles in a fast‑paced, high‑growth organization.

Workplace Conditions

Physical Demands: Sitting 70 %, Walking/Standing 30 %; occasionally lift up to 10 lb; long periods of close work vision.

Mental Demands: Interpret, analyze, and handle multiple tasks simultaneously; climate‑controlled office space.

Compensation

Compensation for this role will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job‑related knowledge, skills, experience, and other factors.

Benefits

IEM offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support employees' well‑being, growth, and long‑term success. View a snapshot of our benefits.