Purchasing Manager

Purchasing Manager – ManufacturingAre you a procurement leader who can think strategically, lead a team, negotiate with confidence, and still understand what it takes to keep a manufacturing operation running?Our client, an established manufacturing organization, is seeking an experienced Purchasing Manager to lead plant-level procurement operations and help strengthen its overall supply chain. This is a hands-on leadership role with responsibility for purchasing strategy, supplier performance, cost optimization, supply continuity, team development, and procurement process improvement.We're looking for someone who doesn't just react to shortages—you anticipate them, solve them, and build processes that help prevent them.What You'll DoLead the Purchasing TeamLead, mentor, and develop a team of Buyers responsible for supporting plant production requirementsOversee purchasing activities from MRP requirements through purchase order execution and deliveryEstablish and monitor KPIs around supplier delivery, order accuracy, procurement cycle times, and team performanceCreate accountability while developing a collaborative, solutions-oriented purchasing organizationProtect Supply & ProductionServe as the escalation point for critical shortages, supplier delays, and supply disruptionsDevelop proactive mitigation strategies to maintain continuity of supplyPartner with Planning, Production, Engineering, Quality, Finance, and other stakeholders to resolve supply challengesManage allocation and capacity constraints while prioritizing materials based on production requirementsDrive Strategic Sourcing & Supplier PerformanceBuild and manage relationships with critical and high-impact suppliersLead complex negotiations involving pricing, contracts, service levels, lead times, and commercial termsDrive supplier performance reviews and corrective actions for recurring delivery, quality, or service issuesIdentify cost savings, cost avoidance, inventory optimization, and sourcing opportunitiesDevelop dual- and multi-sourcing strategies to reduce supply chain riskImprove Systems & ProcessesMaintain purchasing and supplier data integrity within the ERP systemStandardize purchasing workflows, controls, and proceduresIdentify opportunities to automate and streamline procurement processesUse data and analytics to improve purchasing decisions, supplier performance, and inventory managementSupport procurement digitalization and continuous improvement initiativesWhat You'll Bring5–7 years of progressive procurement or purchasing experience within a manufacturing or industrial environment3+ years of purchasing, procurement, or supply chain leadership experienceBachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Logistics, or a related field, or equivalent professional experienceStrong working knowledge of MRP/MPS and material planning in a manufacturing environmentAdvanced experience with ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, or comparable platformsStrong Excel and data analysis skillsDemonstrated success negotiating with suppliers and driving measurable cost improvementsExperience managing supplier performance, shortages, allocations, and supply chain riskWorking knowledge of inventory strategies including safety stock, ABC/XYZ segmentation, reorder points, and consignmentExperience with dual/multi-sourcing and supplier qualification strategiesStrong leadership, communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skillsGlobal Supply Chain ExperienceWe're especially interested in candidates who understand the realities of managing an international supply chain, including:Asia, Europe, and U.S. supplier networksIncoterms 2020Air versus ocean freight decisionsCustoms and international shipping timelinesMultimodal and consolidated freight strategiesCapacity constraints and supplier allocationCountry-of-origin and supply-risk considerationsWhy Consider This Opportunity?This is an opportunity to do more than manage purchase orders. You'll have the ability to lead a team, influence sourcing strategy, strengthen supplier partnerships, improve processes, reduce risk, and directly impact plant performance and profitability.The ideal candidate combines strategic thinking with operational expertise—you can negotiate a critical supplier agreement one day and work with your team to resolve an urgent material shortage the next.If you're a manufacturing procurement leader who enjoys developing people, solving complex supply challenges, and building stronger purchasing operations, we'd like to hear from you.This is a confidential search. Additional information regarding the company, location, compensation, and opportunity will be shared with qualified candidates during the interview process. San Diego Human Resources Consulting Inc.