Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field required.
6-8+ years of progressive experience in industrial procurement, ideally in heavy manufacturing.
Experience in heavy industrial manufacturing, complex assembly, or precision-engineered equipment preferred.
Proficiency in Oracle or SAP and understanding of Tier-1 ERP systems essential.
Ability to interpret technical specifications and engineering drawings for effective vendor negotiations.
Preferred certifications include CPSM or CSCP.
Responsibilities
Design and execute procurement protocols and vendor onboarding for a new facility.
Direct and mentor a core team of 1-2 Buyers, establishing KPIs and a proactive management culture.
Execute procurement activities based on sourcing decisions from the Global Strategic Sourcing team.
Oversee procurement of high-spec raw materials, ensuring compliance and supply continuity.
Utilize Total Cost of Ownership models to drive strategic sourcing decisions.
Manage relationships with suppliers, ensuring adherence to quality and delivery standards.
Monitor and manage inventory levels to meet operational targets.
Benefits
High-visibility leadership role with significant impact on facility launch.
Opportunity to shape departmental workflows and establish a culture of excellence.
Mentorship role for team development and career advancement.
Engagement with international suppliers, expanding professional network.
Focus on strategic sourcing that contributes to the overall success of operations.
Full Job Description
Job Title: Purchasing Manager
Location: Houston, TX
The Opportunity
We are seeking a high-energy, ambitious Purchasing Manager to join the leadership team for our brand-new Houston manufacturing facility. This is a "Greenfield" project for a facility specializing in high-complexity, mission-critical industrial components.
This high-visibility leadership role is designed for a strategic procurement professional looking to own the end-to-end supply chain for a major facility launch. You will be the architect of the supply chain workflows for a high-complexity industrial environment, moving beyond simple transactions to drive strategic department leadership and operational excellence.
Key Responsibilities
Department Foundation: Design and execute procurement protocols and vendor onboarding processes for a new facility managing a high volume of unique, technical components and specialty raw materials.
Team Leadership: Direct and mentor a core team of 1-2 Buyers, establishing KPIs and a culture of proactive supply chain management.
Operational Execution: Execute procurement activities based on sourcing decisions made by the Global Strategic Sourcing team. Manage specialized sourcing of customer-mandated "buy items" alongside a complex portfolio of OEM parts and custom-fabricated components.
Technical Commodity Management: Oversee the procurement of high-spec raw materials (metals, chemicals, and specialized fluids) ensuring technical compliance and continuity of supply.
Strategic Sourcing & TCO: Utilize Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) models to drive sourcing decisions beyond just the initial price point, accounting for logistics, quality, and lead times.
Vendor Relationship Management: Maintain and manage relationships with suppliers-including international vendors-to ensure strict adherence to quality standards, payment terms, and delivery schedules.
Inventory Optimization: Monitor and manage inventory levels in close coordination with planning and suppliers to ensure inventory turns match operational targets, particularly for long-lead-time items.
KPI Execution & Tracking: Lead supplier performance reviews and manage weekly supply buys. Actively track and manage Purchase Price Variance (PPV) to ensure favorable financial outcomes.
Supply Chain Integration: Coordinate closely with the global commodity team to ensure the arrival of precision-engineered components is synchronized with raw material availability and production schedules.
Margin Stewardship: Protect plant profitability through aggressive lead-time management and sophisticated pricing negotiations with technical vendors.
Required Experience & Education
Education: Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field is required.
Professional Tenure: 6-8+ years of progressive experience in industrial procurement, specifically within heavy manufacturing.
Industry Focus: Experience in heavy industrial manufacturing, complex assembly, or precision-engineered equipment is a significant advantage.
Systems Expertise: Proficiency in Oracle or SAP is highly preferred. Candidates must understand how to leverage Tier-1 ERP systems to manage complex data.
Technical Fluency: Ability to interpret technical specifications, engineering drawings, and navigate complex Bills of Materials (BOMs) to effectively negotiate with custom fabrication and OEM vendors.
Certifications (Preferred): Professional designations such as CPSM or CSCP are a strong plus.
