Mission

To lead and continuously improve all aspects of purchasing and supplier management, with a strong focus on strategic sourcing, cost reduction, and supplier performance. This role is responsible for negotiating pricing and terms, securing reliable material supply (including plastics, metal feedstock and powders for injection molding processes), and supporting quoting for new and existing jobs. The Purchasing Manager ensures optimal inventory levels, favorable payment terms, and alignment between procurement strategy and production needs through disciplined use and validation of ERP/MRP systems, while maintaining compliance with all quality and certification requirements.

Competencies – What This Person Must Be

Strategic Thinker: Ability to proactively identify cost-saving opportunities and optimize purchasing decisions across materials and vendors.

Negotiator: Skilled in negotiating pricing, contracts, and payment terms (e.g., extending Net 30 → Net 60+).

Industry Knowledge (Plastics & Metals): Strong understanding of resin markets, metal feedstock, powders, and outsourced processing within manufacturing environments.

ERP/MRP-Driven Operator: Highly proficient in using ERP/MRP systems to drive purchasing decisions, validate demand signals, and maintain data integrity.

Analytical & Data-Driven: Uses pricing trends, system data, and supplier performance metrics to drive decisions.

Accountability: Owns purchasing outcomes including cost, availability, data accuracy, supplier performance, and compliance.

Coordination & Communication: Works cross-functionally with production, logistics, engineering, and quality to ensure alignment.

Problem Solver: Reacts quickly to supply disruptions, pricing volatility, or system/data inconsistencies.

Key Responsibilities

· Develop and execute strategic purchasing plans for raw materials (plastics/resins, metal feedstock and powders), components, packaging, and outside services.

· Negotiate pricing, contracts, and long-term purchasing agreements, including continuous improvement of material costs, margins, and payment terms.

· Source, qualify, and manage suppliers to ensure competitive pricing, reliable supply, and strong performance across cost, quality, and delivery.

· Manage vendors providing outsourced/secondary operations (e.g., heat treating, plating, coating), ensuring adherence to quality, cost, and delivery requirements.

· Support quoting for new jobs and processes by obtaining accurate material and service pricing, and analyze market trends to inform purchasing strategies.

· Collaborate with engineering to identify and qualify equivalent or alternative materials within specification to drive cost savings and supply flexibility.

· Utilize ERP/MRP systems to drive all purchasing activity based on demand signals, forecasts, and job requirements, while maintaining accurate purchasing data (pricing, lead times, supplier records).

· Validate ERP/MRP data integrity by reviewing demand, usage, and inventory levels; identify and correct discrepancies (e.g., demand spikes, incorrect inventory, BOM issues) prior to placing orders.

· Coordinate with the Logistics Supervisor to verify inventory accuracy and ensure alignment between system data and physical inventory to prevent over-ordering or shortages.

· Coordinate with production and planning to ensure timely material availability aligned with schedules, and manage inventory levels to balance cost, space, and production needs.

· Proactively identify and resolve supply chain issues to prevent production disruptions.

· Receive, review, and maintain material and process certifications, ensuring proper documentation and traceability in compliance with internal, customer, and regulatory requirements.

Key Metrics & KPI’s

· Material cost reduction (year-over-year %)

· Purchase price variance (PPV)

· Supplier on-time delivery > 95%

· Supplier quality performance (> 98% conforming)

· Inventory turns / days on hand

Required Experience and Qualifications (Subject to Management Discretion)

· Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, or related field preferred (or equivalent experience).

· 3–7 years of purchasing/procurement experience in a manufacturing environment.

· Experience purchasing plastics, metal feedstock, powders, and/or outsourced processing services.

· Strong experience using ERP/MRP systems to drive purchasing decisions.

· Proven track record of negotiating pricing and supplier agreements.

· Strong analytical, negotiation, and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

· Experience in injection molding (plastics or metal injection molding - MIM).

· Knowledge of secondary processes such as plating, heat treating, and coating.

· Deep understanding of resin markets, metal powders, and commodity pricing trends.

· Experience in cost modeling and quoting support for manufacturing processes.

· Familiarity with lean manufacturing and cost reduction strategies.

· Experience managing supplier performance and vendor scorecards.

· Exposure to regulated industries (e.g., defense/ITAR) is a plus.

Physical Requirements

· Ability to sit and work at a computer for extended periods.

· Occasional walking through warehouse and production areas.

Environment

· Office and manufacturing environment with exposure to production floor conditions.

· Frequent need to interact with warehouse, shipping, production, and quality personnel.

· PPE required when on the production floor.