Procurement Manager

Strategic Sourcing & Procurement Manager

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Sourcing & Procurement

Develop and implement procurement strategies for raw materials, including graphite feedstocks, petroleum coke, pitch, additives, packaging materials, and indirect supplies. Identify, evaluate, qualify, and maintain relationships with suppliers and service providers. Lead supplier bidding, RFQ, RFP, and contract negotiation processes. Analyze market trends, pricing, supply conditions, and industry developments to support sourcing decisions. Establish long-term supply agreements that balance cost, quality, delivery, and risk mitigation.

Supplier Management

Manage supplier performance using key performance indicators (KPIs) related to quality, cost, delivery, responsiveness, and compliance. Conduct regular supplier reviews and audits. Develop contingency plans and alternate sourcing strategies to reduce supply chain risk. Resolve supplier-related quality and delivery issues in collaboration with Quality and Operations teams.

Inventory & Production Support

Collaborate with Production Planning and Operations to ensure uninterrupted material availability. Monitor inventory levels and purchasing activities to maintain optimal stock while minimizing carrying costs. Support maintenance and capital projects through the procurement of equipment, spare parts, and services. Coordinate procurement activities for plant shutdowns, turnarounds, and major projects.

Cost Management

Identify and implement cost-reduction and value-improvement initiatives. Negotiate favorable pricing, payment terms, and contractual agreements. Monitor spending trends and procurement metrics. Support annual budgeting and forecasting processes.

Compliance & Systems Management

Ensure compliance with company policies, ethical sourcing standards, environmental regulations, and applicable legal requirements. Maintain accurate procurement records and documentation. Utilize ERP/MRP systems to manage purchasing activities, supplier information, and inventory data. Support internal and external audits related to procurement activities.

Leadership

Lead and develop purchasing personnel and procurement processes. Foster a culture of safety, accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence. Provide regular reporting on procurement performance and strategic initiatives.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, Operations Management, or related field. Minimum 5-8 years of progressive procurement, purchasing, or supply chain experience in a manufacturing environment. Minimum 3 years of leadership or supervisory experience. Experience negotiating contracts and managing strategic supplier relationships. Strong understanding of inventory control, MRP/ERP systems, and manufacturing operations. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in graphite, carbon products, metals, chemicals, mining, refractory, or heavy industrial manufacturing. Professional certification such as CPSM, CPM, CSCP, or APICS certification. Experience with SAP, Oracle, JD Edwards, Microsoft Dynamics, or similar ERP platforms. Knowledge of commodity markets and industrial raw material sourcing.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Strong negotiation and contract management skills. Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities. Ability to assess and mitigate supply chain risks. Strong financial acumen and cost management capabilities. Effective project management and organizational skills. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to build productive relationships across all levels of the organization. Data-driven decision-making and reporting skills.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Material cost savings and cost avoidance. Supplier on-time delivery performance. Inventory turnover and inventory accuracy. Procurement cycle time. Supply continuity and production support. Supplier quality performance. Contract compliance. Working capital improvement.

Working Conditions

Manufacturing plant environment with periodic exposure to industrial equipment, dust, noise, and varying temperatures. Occasional travel to supplier sites, conferences, and company locations. Ability to work extended hours as necessary to support operational requirements and supply interruptions.