Your role at Baxter
The Manager, Purchasing is responsible for leading procurement activities that support manufacturing operations within a regulated environment. This role oversees the Buyers and is responsible for ensuring material availability, supporting production schedules, managing supplier performance, and driving continuity of supply.
The position works closely with sourcing, operations, engineering, quality, warehouse, and the Inventory/Stockroom Supervisor to optimize material flow, resolve supply issues, and improve overall supply chain performance. This role focuses on procurement execution, supplier management, and continuous improvement initiatives while supporting operational, inventory, and customer service objectives.
What you'll be doing
Team Leadership & Supervision
- Establish team priorities and ensure alignment with business objectives, production schedules, and customer requirements.
- Conduct performance evaluations, establish development plans, and support succession planning activities for Buyers.
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the materials organization.
- Promote effective communication and cross-functional partnership across manufacturing, sourcing, engineering, quality, logistics, and operations teams.
Procurement & Supplier Management
- Lead regular updates of purchasing parameters such as lead time, safety stock, minimum order quantity, in collaboration with the buyer for the assigned parts, ensuring alignment with demand, supply conditions, and operational requirements
- Develop and maintain strategic supplier relationships to improve delivery performance, responsiveness, quality, and total cost competitiveness.
- Monitor supplier performance metrics and drive corrective actions related to shortages, late deliveries, quality concerns, and supply risks.
- Lead supply risk mitigation and escalation activities related to constrained supply, supplier capacity constraints, and continuity of operations.
- Coordinate supplier recovery activities and ensure timely communication of supply disruptions impacting manufacturing or customer commitments.
Materials Planning & Production Support
- Review and analyze MRP outputs, demand forecasts, supplier lead times, and material requirements to support uninterrupted production schedules and customer demand.
- Review and maintain purchasing parameters including safety stock, reorder points, lead times, order policies, and inventory strategies to optimize material flow and minimize excess inventory exposure.
- Partner with manufacturing, engineering, and quality teams to support engineering changes, production readiness, and new product introduction activities.
Operational Excellence & Financial Performance
- Monitor and drive performance to key supply chain metrics including supplier on-time delivery, material shortages, inventory performance, planning accuracy, and service levels.
- Support inventory and procurement strategies that balance customer service, operational requirements, and working capital objectives.
- Identify opportunities for cost savings, lead time reduction, process improvements, and reduction of supply chain inefficiencies.
- Lead and support continuous improvement initiatives focused on procurement efficiency, supplier performance, and operational execution.
Quality, Safety & Regulatory Compliance
- Ensure compliance with FDA, ISO, GMP, and company procurement and quality system requirements.
- Ensure employees operate in accordance with company policies, quality standards, and regulatory requirements.
What we offer from Day One
Medical, Dental and Vision coverage
160 hours of Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
401K match
Employee Stock Purchase Program
Paid Parental Leave
Tuition Reimbursement
What you'll bring
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations Management, or related field required.
- 5+ years of experience in procurement, materials planning, supply chain, or manufacturing operations required.
- 2+ years of leadership or supervisory experience preferred.
- Experience in medical devices, healthcare, or other regulated manufacturing environments preferred.
- Experience utilizing ERP/MRP systems (SAP, Maestro preferred), inventory planning tools, and supply chain reporting systems required.
- Strong understanding of procurement, materials planning, MRP systems, inventory optimization, and supplier management principles.
- Demonstrated experience supporting manufacturing operations within a fast-paced supply chain environment.
- Proven leadership experience managing or supervising Buyers, Planners, or supply chain personnel.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret operational data and drive business decisions.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively across multiple functions and leadership levels.
- Effective negotiation, supplier management, and escalation management skills.
- Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
- Experience supporting demand planning, forecasting, capacity planning, and S&OP activities preferred.
- Working knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Kanban systems, and continuous improvement methodologies preferred.
- Understanding of FDA, ISO, GMP, and regulatory compliance requirements within a regulated manufacturing environment preferred.
- APICS CPIM or CSCP certification preferred.
The above description outlines the primary responsibilities of the role but does not preclude the assignment of additional tasks as needed. Previous iterations of this job description are incorporated and may be assigned based on operational requirements. Any such inclusions will align with the established factor of degrees for this position.
We understand compensation is an important factor as you consider the next step in your career. At Baxter, we are committed to equitable pay for all employees, and we strive to be more transparent with our pay practices. The estimated base salary for this position is $96,000 - $132,000 annually. The estimated range is meant to reflect an anticipated salary range for the position. We may pay more or less than of the anticipated range based upon market data and other factors, all of which are subject to change. Individual pay is based upon location, skills and expertise, experience, and other relevant factors. This position may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses. For questions about this, our pay philosophy, and available benefits, please speak to the recruiter if you decide to apply and are selected for an interview.
Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.
US Benefits at Baxter (except for Puerto Rico)
This is where your well-being matters. Baxter offers comprehensive compensation and benefits packages for eligible roles. Our health and well-being benefits include medical and dental coverage that start on day one, as well as insurance coverage for basic life, accident, short-term and long-term disability, and business travel accident insurance. Financial and retirement benefits include the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), with the ability to purchase company stock at a discount, and the 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan (RSP), with options for employee contributions and company matching. We also offer Flexible Spending Accounts, educational assistance programs, and time-off benefits such as paid holidays, paid time off ranging from 20 to 35 days based on length of service, family and medical leaves of absence, and paid parental leave. Additional benefits include commuting benefits, the Employee Discount Program, the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and childcare benefits. Join us and enjoy the competitive compensation and benefits we offer to our employees. For additional information regarding Baxter US Benefits, please speak with your recruiter or visit our Benefits site: