Purchasing Manager – Multi-Site Leadership
Primary Objective
Lead and develop the Purchasing Team across multiple plant locations to ensure timely and efficient procurement of materials, alignment with production needs, and continuous process improvement. This role provides strategic direction, supports cross-plant consistency, and drives quality-focused purchasing strategies to ensure uninterrupted operations.
Key Responsibilities
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Team Leadership: Supervise, mentor, and develop plant-level purchasing team members, promoting high performance, accountability, and professional growth across all locations.
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Strategic Procurement: Oversee sourcing, planning, and supplier management to ensure reliable supply and competitive pricing across multiple plants.
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Inventory Oversight: Ensure appropriate inventory levels are maintained at each plant to support production goals while minimizing excess.
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Process Improvement: Identify and implement purchasing best practices and standard work across locations to improve accuracy, efficiency, and performance.
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Issue Resolution: Serve as the escalation point for material shortages or supplier issues, coordinating with cross-functional teams to implement timely solutions.
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Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Production, Engineering, Product Managers, and Supplier Quality teams to align purchasing activities with product and operational goals.
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Compliance & Documentation: Ensure consistent policy adherence and maintain accurate procurement records and documentation.
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Inventory Reconciliation: Oversee inventory discrepancy analysis and reporting, ensuring detailed explanations for variances and accurate inventory reporting.
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Planning Support: Support the accuracy and timeliness of MRP tools and purchasing schedules maintained by each plant’s team.
Education & Experience
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5+ years of purchasing or supply chain experience, with at least 2 years in a leadership or multi-site management role.
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Experience in high-mix, low-volume manufacturing preferred.
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Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, or related field preferred.
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Supply chain or purchasing certification (e.g., CPM, CPIM, CSCP) is a plus.
Desired Skills
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Proven leadership and team-building abilities across multiple locations.
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Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and decision-making skills.
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Deep understanding of supply chain principles and inventory management.
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Effective negotiation and vendor management skills.
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High proficiency in Microsoft Excel and experience with MRP or ERP systems.
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Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
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Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
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Knowledge of materials, components, and supply chain logistics is a plus.
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Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings.
Physical Demands
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Ability to work in both office and production environments.
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Willingness to travel regularly between facilities.
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Flexibility to work early or extended hours to meet operational needs.