Purchasing Manager

Purchasing Manager

What You Will Do

The North American Purchasing Manager is responsible for leading purchasing execution activities across multiple manufacturing facilities to ensure uninterrupted material flow and support operational requirements. This role oversees the day-to-day management of supplier performance, purchase order execution, material availability, scheduling alignment, and issue resolution. Working closely with Procurement and Category Management teams, the Purchasing Manager ensures sourcing strategies are effectively executed while maintaining strong supplier relationships and driving operational performance.

How You Will Do It

• Lead purchasing execution activities across North American manufacturing facilities to support production schedules, inventory targets, and customer commitments.
• Manage and develop regional purchasing teams responsible for purchase order management, supplier communication, material planning support, and expediting activities.
• Ensure timely placement, maintenance, and follow-up of purchase orders to support operational demand.
• Monitor open order reports and proactively manage supplier commitments to prevent material shortages and production disruptions.
• Partner closely with Operations, Planning, Materials Management, Production, and Inventory teams to ensure material availability aligns with manufacturing requirements.
• Work closely with Procurement and Category Management teams to execute established sourcing strategies, supplier agreements, and commercial terms.
• Serve as the primary day-to-day business contact for suppliers and manage ongoing operational performance.
• Coordinate supplier communications regarding forecasts, delivery schedules, order changes, expedites, and supply constraints.
• Escalate supplier performance issues, capacity concerns, commercial disputes, and supply risks through Procurement and Category Management channels as required.
• Lead material shortage reviews and recovery efforts to minimize operational disruptions.
• Monitor supplier delivery performance and drive corrective actions to improve on-time delivery and schedule adherence.
• Develop and maintain reporting related to supplier performance, past due orders, shortages, inventory risks, and purchasing effectiveness.
• Support Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) and production planning activities by ensuring supplier commitments align with operational requirements.
• Coordinate resolution of receiving, quality, invoicing, and order discrepancies affecting material flow.
• Identify and implement process improvements that improve purchasing efficiency, material visibility, and operational performance.
• Participate in inventory management initiatives focused on balancing working capital objectives with service and supply continuity requirements.
• Support new product introductions, production ramp-ups, plant expansions, and business growth initiatives by ensuring material readiness.
• Ensure compliance with purchasing policies, procedures, and system controls across all facilities.
• Drive standardization of purchasing processes and best practices across North American operations.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop Purchasing Supervisors, Buyers, and Purchasing Coordinators across North America.
• Establish departmental priorities, service expectations, and performance metrics aligned with operational requirements.
• Promote a customer-focused approach centered on supporting manufacturing and operational needs.
• Foster collaboration between Purchasing, Operations, Planning, Procurement, Category Management, Inventory, and Supply Chain teams.
• Conduct performance evaluations, coaching discussions, and development planning activities.
• Build a culture of accountability, urgency, continuous improvement, and problem resolution.
• Support staffing, succession planning, and organizational development initiatives.

Scope

• Responsible for purchasing execution across North American operations, ensuring materials are available to support production schedules and customer requirements.
• Leads purchasing teams and serves as the primary link between Operations, Planning, Procurement, Category Management, and suppliers. Accountable for purchase order execution, supplier delivery performance, shortage mitigation, and escalation of supply-related risks impacting business operations.
• Exercises independent judgment in managing priorities, resolving material supply issues, and supporting operational continuity.

What We Look For

Required

• Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations Management, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 8+ years of experience in purchasing, materials management, production planning, supply chain, or manufacturing operations.
• 5+ years of leadership experience managing purchasing or materials personnel.
• Experience supporting manufacturing operations in a multi-site environment.
• Strong understanding of purchase order management, supplier performance management, inventory control, and material planning processes.
• Experience working with ERP/MRP systems. SAP 4H preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong communication, problem-solving, and relationship management skills.

Preferred

• Experience leading purchasing or materials functions across multiple facilities.
• APICS, SCMP, CPSM, or related professional designation.
• Experience with S&OP, integrated business planning, and production scheduling environments.
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.

Success Measures

• Material availability
• Production schedule attainment support
• Supplier on-time delivery performance
• Past due purchase order reduction
• Inventory optimization
• Shortage mitigation effectiveness
• Purchasing cycle time
• Internal customer satisfaction
• ERP data accuracy

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