Purchasing Manager

Purchasing Manager – Packaging Automation

Location: Richmond, VA

Industry: Packaging Automation | Capital Equipment | Machinery Manufacturing

We are working with a leading global manufacturer of automated packaging machinery to recruit a Purchasing Manager for its US operations.

The organization designs and manufactures highly engineered packaging systems incorporating robotics, vision-guided automation, pick-and-place technology and advanced case and tray packing solutions. Its equipment is used within demanding, high-volume production environments by major manufacturers across a range of industries.

This is a key leadership appointment with responsibility for purchasing activities across the company’s manufacturing facilities.

The Role

The Purchasing Manager will lead and develop the purchasing function, managing a team of four while taking responsibility for the sourcing and supply of components, materials and services required across both US manufacturing operations.

The position combines strategic procurement, supplier development, commercial negotiation and operational purchasing within a project-driven capital equipment environment.

You will work closely with Engineering, Manufacturing and Operations to ensure the business has a competitive, reliable and high-performing supply base capable of supporting complex automation projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead purchasing activities across the Virginia and Colorado manufacturing facilities.
• Manage, develop and mentor a team of four purchasing professionals.
• Identify, evaluate and maintain the best sources of supply for components, materials and services.
• Develop strategic relationships with key suppliers and establish long-term supply agreements.
• Lead commercial negotiations covering pricing, contractual terms, lead times and service levels.
• Deliver measurable cost-reduction and value-improvement initiatives.
• Evaluate supplier performance across quality, cost, delivery and technical capability.
• Develop alternative suppliers to reduce risk and strengthen supply-chain resilience.
• Work closely with Engineering on component selection, specifications and sourcing requirements.
• Partner with Manufacturing and Operations to address supply constraints and support production schedules.
• Identify opportunities for supplier consolidation, standardization and improved purchasing leverage.
• Utilize MRP/ERP systems to support purchasing and material requirements.
• Establish supplier KPIs and drive corrective actions and continuous improvement.
• Support longer-term global sourcing initiatives in collaboration with international operations.

What We’re Looking For

The successful candidate will have significant purchasing or procurement experience within an engineered manufacturing environment and be comfortable operating within a business producing complex, project-driven equipment.

Ideally, you will bring:

• 10+ years of purchasing/procurement experience within manufacturing.
• 3+ years of experience within capital equipment, machinery or engineered manufacturing .
• Previous experience managing and developing purchasing professionals.
• Strong commercial negotiation and supplier-management capabilities.
• Experience sourcing mechanical, electrical and engineered components.
• Proven success delivering cost reductions and supplier-performance improvements.
• Experience negotiating long-term supplier agreements and commercial contracts.
• Strong knowledge of MRP/ERP-driven manufacturing environments.
• The ability to work effectively across Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations and senior leadership.
• A commercially minded, analytical and continuous-improvement approach.

Experience within packaging machinery, industrial automation, robotics, material handling, food processing equipment, assembly automation or another capital equipment sector would be particularly relevant.

The Opportunity

This is an excellent opportunity to take ownership of a strategically important purchasing function within an established international machinery manufacturer.

You will have visibility across two US manufacturing operations and the opportunity to directly

influence supplier strategy, cost reduction, purchasing processes, supply-chain resilience and operational performance .

For an experienced purchasing professional from a machinery or capital equipment background, this offers the chance to make a measurable impact within a technically sophisticated and growing automation business.

To apply, please submit your CV via LinkedIn. All applications will be treated confidentially.