Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, or related field.
8-10 years of experience in international purchasing and global supply chain management.
4+ years of leadership experience managing procurement or planning teams.
Strong analytical skills in financial negotiation and cost analysis.
Proficiency in ERP platforms and advanced procurement software.
Responsibilities
Mentor and develop the Buyer/Planner team with clear KPIs and performance metrics.
Standardize and monitor workflows for Purchase Order entry and inventory tracking.
Oversee vendor invoice processing to ensure timely payments and supplier stability.
Maintain real-time Work-in-Progress reporting and communicate production updates.
Institute purchasing best practices through continuous evaluation and optimization.
Standardize SOPs and training documentation for global procurement execution.
Manage the full order lifecycle from demand forecasting to final warehouse receipt.
Benefits
Collaborative work environment with cross-functional teams.
Opportunities for professional development and team mentorship.
Engagement in strategic decision-making processes.
Exposure to global supply chain operations and vendor partnerships.
Full Job Description
Director of Purchasing
Position Summary
The Director of Purchasing drives the strategic, ethical, and profitable procurement of products across a global manufacturing network. Operating cross-functionally, this role establishes supply chain resilience, enforces operational efficiency, and aligns global vendor partnerships with customer demand, revenue targets, and margin expectations. The Director leads and elevates a high-performing team of Buyer/Planners, optimizing order lifecycle execution from forecast to delivery.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Team Development
People Management: Mentor and elevate the Buyer/Planner team, establishing clear KPIs, accountability frameworks, and performance metrics to drive operational success.
Process Governance: Establish, standardize, and monitor key workflows across Purchase Order (PO) entry, Work-in-Progress (WIP) tracking, and inventory receipts to maintain seamless communication across international factory networks.
Vendor Financial Health: Oversee efficient vendor invoice processing and audit workflows to ensure on-time payment terms, supporting supplier financial stability and long-term strategic alignment.
WIP & Status Reporting: Maintain real-time WIP reporting with overseas partners; proactively communicate both milestones and production delays to cross-functional business partners.
Operational & Sourcing Strategy
Operational Excellence: Institute purchasing best practices through continuous evaluation, workflow optimization, and strategic capacity planning.
SOP Frameworks: Standardize Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and comprehensive training documentation to ensure consistent global procurement execution.
Strategic Sourcing & Vendor Vetting: Ensure order placement occurs exclusively with vetted suppliers meeting product development milestones, cost targets, and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) compliance standards.
Risk Mitigation & Scorecards: Partner with Supply Chain leadership to assess vendor performance, evaluate risk via structured supplier scorecards, and implement proactive contingency strategies.
Global Vendor Compliance & Order Fulfillment
Compliance Oversight: Collaborate annually with internal Compliance teams to update, distribute, and enforce the Vendor Compliance Manual across all manufacturing partners.
End-to-End Lifecycle Management: Manage the full order lifecycle-from demand forecasting and PO creation to logistics tracking and final warehouse receipt.
Capacity & Allocation Management: Coordinate weekly PO distribution across vendor networks based on strategic allocation frameworks, optimizing factory capacity against forecast demand.
Logistics Alignment: Partner with global freight and logistics teams to maintain end-to-end visibility from factory origin to final fulfillment.
Financial Administration & Audit Control
Invoicing & Reconciliation: Oversee the review and submission of vendor invoices, credit notes, and debit notes to Accounts Payable, ensuring full data integrity.
Audit & Revenue Recovery: Partner with Compliance and Accounting to enforce vendor chargeback protocols and recover non-compliance expenses.
Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, or a related field.
Experience:
8-10 years of progressive experience in international purchasing, overseas manufacturing, and global supply chain management.
4+ years of direct leadership experience managing procurement or planning professionals.
Core Competency & Technical Skills:
Strong analytical acumen with demonstrated proficiency in financial negotiation, cost analysis, and volume allocation.
Deep experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) platforms, MRP modules, and advanced procurement software.
Exceptional cross-functional collaboration and conflict-resolution capabilities in fast-paced environments.
About New Era Cap
New Era Cap Company, Inc. is an American headwear company headquartered in Buffalo, New York. It was founded in 1920 by German immigrant Ehrhardt Koch. New Era is the exclusive manufacturer and marketer of the official on-field cap worn by every Major League Baseball team and their minor league affiliates, and maintains agreements with other licensed entities including NHL, NBA and over 200 colleges and universities in the United States.
