Purchasing Manager

Our client is a growing, privately held manufacturer in the food/beverage equipment and components space, supporting the assembly of specialized products through a combination of in-house operations and global supplier partnerships. With approximately 30 employees on-site and strong backing from a larger corporate parent, the organization is actively expanding its product portfolio and experiencing significant growth driven by new product launches. Position Overview The Purchasing Manager will play a critical role in ensuring a reliable and cost-effective supply of materials and components from external suppliers. This individual will lead day-to-day procurement operations, manage supplier relationships, and drive continuous improvement across quality, delivery, and cost. This is a highly visible, hands-on leadership role supporting both the assembly operation and warehouse, reporting directly to the VP and managing one direct report. Key Responsibilities Lead procurement, planning, and inventory management activities to support production and operational goals Develop and maintain strong supplier partnerships to improve: Year-over-year cost reductions (landed cost) Supplier engagement and performance tracking Negotiate contracts, pricing, and terms with vendors in alignment with company and corporate objectives Collaborate with internal teams to ensure material availability and alignment with production schedules Drive continuous improvement initiatives across the supply base, including tariff mitigation and process optimization Utilize ERP systems and supply chain tools to monitor performance, analyze data, and support decision-making Support implementation and utilization of supply chain platforms (e.g., LeanDNA or similar tools) Manage and develop a small team while contributing as a hands-on individual contributor Qualifications Bachelor\'s degree in Supply Chain, Business, or a related field 10+ years of supply chain, procurement, or materials management experience Proven experience in supplier relationship management and contract negotiation Strong background in inventory planning, procurement, and logistics Experience working within manufacturing, assembly, or industrial environments Proficiency with ERP systems and procurement tools Exposure to supply chain execution platforms (LeanDNA or similar) is a plus Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment Why Join Opportunity to step into a leadership role during a period of growth and new product expansion High visibility within a lean organization where your impact is immediate and measurable Backing of a larger corporate parent while maintaining a collaborative, entrepreneurial environment Clear runway for growth as the business continues to scale #J-18808-Ljbffr