Purchasing Manager

JOB OVERVIEW:

Responsible for leading and managing purchasing and procurement activities within the assigned scope, with accountability for cost competitiveness, supplier performance, and supply continuity. This position owns the purchasing process from business need review and supplier sourcing through commercial negotiations, purchase order execution, and delivery management. The Purchasing Manager develops and implements sourcing and cost improvement initiatives, manages supplier relationships and procurement risks, and translates purchasing data into actionable decisions. Combining hands-on procurement execution with functional leadership, this role drives procurement performance, process standardization, and compliance while aligning purchasing activities with business priorities and approved budgets.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

• Lead reviews of purchase requests by validating business requirements, identifying opportunities to avoid unnecessary spending, and aligning purchasing priorities with approved budgets, specifications, and operational needs.
• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for assigned materials and services to improve cost competitiveness, supplier reliability, and long-term supply continuity.
• Lead supplier sourcing, evaluation, and selection, and coordinate supplier qualification activities with Quality, Engineering, EHS, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Lead negotiations on pricing, payment terms, delivery conditions, and other commercial terms, and manage purchasing agreements in accordance with company policies and delegated authority.
• Manage end-to-end purchase order execution and fulfillment, including hands-on PO creation and maintenance as needed, ensuring the accuracy of pricing, terms, delivery schedules, and system entries in SAP or other ERP/SCM systems.
• Own spend analysis, cost tracking, and procurement performance reporting; identify improvement opportunities and drive measurable cost savings and purchasing efficiency.
• Establish and monitor supplier performance metrics, conduct supplier performance reviews, and drive corrective actions to address quality, delivery, cost, and service issues.
• Manage procurement-related supply risks by identifying critical material and supplier dependencies, developing alternative sourcing options, and coordinating contingency plans with relevant stakeholders.
• Lead the resolution of purchasing-related discrepancies, supplier-related claims, and delivery disruptions, balancing operational requirements, commercial interests, and supplier relationships.
• Ensure the accuracy and completeness of purchasing records, contracts, supplier information, and purchasing master data, and maintain compliance with company policies and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Develop, implement, and standardize procurement procedures and controls to improve efficiency, transparency, and accountability across purchasing activities.
• Perform additional duties and responsibilities as assigned by management.

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, or a related field preferred.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in purchasing, procurement, or supply chain management within the chemical materials industry.
• Demonstrated experience independently managing sourcing activities, supplier negotiations, purchasing operations, and cost improvement initiatives.
• Experience leading procurement projects or cross-functional improvement initiatives preferred.

SKILLS:

• Working proficiency in SAP or other ERP/SCM systems, including purchasing transactions, reporting, and purchasing master data management.
• Strong supplier negotiation, commercial evaluation, and supplier relationship management skills.
• Strong analytical skills, including spend analysis, cost analysis, and procurement KPI management.
• Ability to independently prioritize purchasing activities, make sound decisions within delegated authority, and take accountability for results.
• Strong problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills, with the ability to balance stakeholder interests and drive timely decisions.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to lead cross-functional coordination.
• Strong organizational and multitasking skills in a manufacturing environment.
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Korean preferred.