Purchasing Manager

The Purchasing Manager is responsible for leading the daily procurement operations that support production service and project requirements. This role ensures production supply continuity drives cost competitiveness manages supplier performance and supports operations quality and engineering through effective sourcing strategies. The Purchasing Manager provides tactical supplier management supports the strategic direction set by the Manager Supply Base Management and ensures all purchasing activities align with company objectives supply chain policies and operational priorities.

Key Activities/Responsibilities:

• Supervise and support a team of Buyers in the execution of day-to-day procurement activities ensuring the timely placement of orders and issue resolution for production.
• Assign purchasing responsibilities and balance workloads across the team while providing guidance to improve negotiation skills sourcing execution and the use of analytical tools.
• Execute supplier selection and sourcing activities including RFQs quote evaluation cost comparison and support of contract implementation in alignment with established sourcing strategies.
• Provide regular feedback and coaching to Buyers on systems (e.g. JDE Power BI) procurement processes and standard negotiation practices supporting enhanced performance management and contributing to individual development plans.
• Support the implementation of purchasing strategies focused on cost control supplier performance inventory optimization and lead time reduction ensuring alignment with broader organizational objectives.
• Assist with departmental administration including input to resource planning hiring processes training coordination and enforcement of company policies and procedures.
• Coordinate with Planning and Operations to manage shortages and expedite materials ensuring continuity of supply and appropriate inventory levels.
• Monitor market conditions and supplier performance escalating risks or opportunities and supporting adaptation of sourcing approaches as directed.
• Track and report on key procurement initiatives including cost savings supplier performance and process improvements.
• Collaborate closely with Demand Planning to align purchase orders with forecasts and changing requirements.
• Support contingency planning efforts including identification of alternate suppliers and mitigation actions in coordination with supply base or sourcing leadership.
• Promote adherence to continuous improvement initiatives supporting efforts to enhance purchasing processes and team effectiveness.
• Work cross-functionally with Operations Quality Engineering Planning and Finance to support production requirements and resolve supply-related issues.
• Assist in identifying and mitigating supply risks including supplier performance issues capacity constraints and single-source exposure with escalation as appropriate.
• Complete other projects as assigned.

Requirements / Skills Needed:

• Bachelors degree in Supply Chain Operations Business Management or other related field of study required. Supply chain certifications such as CPSM CPIM or CSCP are preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in procurement and/or supply chain within a manufacturing and/or distribution environment. Experience in training supply chain team members is helpful.
• Broad understanding of supply chain management within a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to analyze complex data identify and execute savings opportunities develop/ implement sourcing strategies and quickly execute tasks to realize benefits.
• Strong negotiation and problem-solving skills particularly in resolving supplier performance issues.
• Strong project management experience; capable of managing multiple priorities and coordinating strategies/ activities across multiple business functions.
• Previous MRP/ERP experience required preferably JD Edwards.
• Proficiency in MS Office software tools including Word Excel Outlook PowerPoint and Project.
• Comfortable and able to troubleshoot process gaps and inefficiencies leading to resolution.
• Experience in training employees and enhancing the skills of a supply chain team.
• Ability to communicate with and influence diverse audiences across different functions and geographic locations while demonstrating tact diplomacy and professionalism.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.

Wage Range: $77998 - $111425

Benefits of Employment

In addition to excellent career growth opportunities Federal Signal Corporation offers a wide array of benefits including: annual bonus potential insurance (life medical dental vision) paid holidays paid vacation 401(k) with matching contributions and tuition reimbursement. We provide our employees with a smoke-free drug-free workplace.

About Us

Federal Signal in University Park is a leading manufacturer and supplier of comprehensive systems and products used to protect people and property. Our products and integrated solutions include systems for campus and community alerting emergency vehicles first responder interoperable communications industrial communications and command and municipal networked security. Specific products include: lightbars and sirens public warning sirens and public safety software.

Federal Signal Corporation (NYSE: FSS) builds and delivers equipment of unmatched quality that moves material cleans infrastructure and protects the communities where we work and live. Founded in 1901 Federal Signal is a leading global designer and manufacturer of products and total solutions that serve municipal governmental industrial and commercial customers. Headquartered in Downers Grove IL with manufacturing facilities worldwide the Company operates two groups: Environmental Solutions and Safety and Security Systems. For more information on Federal Signal visit:

The Company is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will not be discriminated against on the basis of and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion national origin sex sexual orientation gender identity age disability genetic information status as a protected veteran or any other protected category characteristic or trait under applicable law. If you require reasonable accommodation in the application process contact Human Resources at .All other applications must be submitted online.

Required Experience:

Manager