Purchasing Manager

Purchasing Manager (Production Purchasing)

The Purchasing Manager is responsible for leading the execution of production purchasing activities to ensure material availability cost competitiveness and operational continuity. Reporting to the Senior Manager of Strategic Sourcing Direct Materials this role translates sourcing strategies into day-to-day purchasing execution driving supplier performance purchase order accuracy and delivery reliability. This leader manages a team of buyers and/or purchasing professionals and ensures alignment with strategic sourcing direction while maintaining strong operational discipline across procurement processes systems and supplier interactions.

Key Responsibilities

Team Leadership & Execution
Lead and develop a team of buyers responsible for production purchasing execution including purchase order placement expediting and supplier communication
Establish clear expectations standard work and performance management routines for purchasing operations
Drive accountability for material availability on-time delivery and execution against supply plans

Production Purchasing Operations
Oversee the creation approval and management of purchase orders to ensure alignment with demand signals and production requirements
Ensure continuity of supply through proactive management of shortages lead times and supplier constraints
Drive disciplined use of ERP/MRP systems to support accurate planning and execution

Supplier Performance Management
Manage supplier performance for delivery responsiveness and execution reliability
Partner with Strategic Sourcing on supplier escalations and corrective actions
Support supplier communication for forecasts pull-ins push-outs and capacity alignment

Cross-Functional Collaboration
Partner closely with Planning Operations Engineering and NPI Procurement to ensure seamless material readiness across the product lifecycle
Support new product introductions by ensuring transition from NPI to production purchasing is smooth and controlled
Act as the primary interface between internal stakeholders and suppliers for execution-related matters

Cost & Working Capital Management
Execute against cost targets by supporting negotiation implementation pricing adherence and purchase price variance (PPV) management
Drive working capital improvements through inventory optimization order cadence and payment term execution
Ensure compliance with procurement policies contracts and negotiated agreements

Process Improvement & Operational Excellence
Implement standard work visual management and RBS principles to improve purchasing efficiency and predictability
Identify and eliminate process waste in purchasing workflows (e.g. PO cycle time manual interventions)
Drive continuous improvement in procurement tools systems and reporting

Typical Focus
Short to mid-term horizon (daily to quarterly execution)
Operational excellence in purchasing execution and supply continuity
Supplier performance and responsiveness
Alignment of purchasing activities with strategic sourcing direction

Key Metrics
Material availability / line-down avoidance
Supplier on-time delivery (OTD) and past-due reduction
Purchase price variance (PPV) vs. target
Inventory turns / working capital (DOH DPO alignment)
Purchase order cycle time and accuracy
Supplier responsiveness and lead-time adherence

Common Stakeholders
Strategic Sourcing / Commodity Managers
NPI Procurement Team
Production Planning & SIOP
Manufacturing / Operations Leadership
Engineering (sustaining & NPI)
Finance (cost PPV working capital)
Supplier Account Managers

Profile & Qualifications
Bachelors degree in Supply Chain Business Engineering or related field
7 years of procurement or supply chain experience with strong emphasis on production purchasing
Demonstrated leadership experience managing teams in a manufacturing environment
Strong understanding of MRP/ERP systems and supply chain planning processes
Experience managing supplier performance and driving execution improvements
Proven ability to operate in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities

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