Purchasing Manager

We are seeking an experienced Purchasing Manager to lead procurement operations for a large-scale manufacturing facility in Savannah, GA. This role is responsible for developing sourcing strategies, managing supplier relationships, negotiating contracts, and ensuring the timely procurement of materials, equipment, and services that support manufacturing, maintenance, engineering, and capital projects.

About the Role

The ideal candidate is a strategic procurement leader with experience in industrial or manufacturing environments who can balance cost, quality, supplier performance, and inventory levels while driving continuous improvement throughout the supply chain.

Responsibilities

• Lead all purchasing and procurement activities for the manufacturing facility, ensuring uninterrupted production through effective sourcing and supplier management.
• Develop and execute procurement strategies that optimize cost, quality, delivery, and supplier performance.
• Negotiate pricing, contracts, terms, and long-term agreements with domestic and international suppliers.
• Manage supplier relationships, conduct performance evaluations, and implement corrective actions when necessary.
• Partner closely with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Production, and Finance to forecast purchasing requirements and support business objectives.
• Source materials, MRO supplies, capital equipment, chemicals, spare parts, and outside services while maintaining cost-effective inventory levels.
• Oversee purchasing budgets and identify opportunities for cost reduction, supplier consolidation, and process improvements.
• Monitor market trends, commodity pricing, and supply chain risks to proactively address material availability and pricing challenges.
• Ensure purchasing activities comply with company policies, quality standards, environmental regulations, and ethical sourcing practices.
• Lead inventory optimization initiatives to reduce excess inventory while maintaining appropriate stock levels for critical production components.
• Develop procurement metrics and KPIs, including supplier on-time delivery, cost savings, inventory turns, and supplier quality.
• Support capital projects by coordinating equipment purchases, vendor selection, and project procurement timelines.
• Utilize ERP/MRP systems to manage purchasing transactions, inventory planning, and procurement reporting.
• Mentor and develop purchasing team members while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or a related field preferred.
• 7+ years of purchasing or procurement experience within a manufacturing, chemical, industrial, or heavy manufacturing environment.
• 3+ years of leadership or management experience.
• Strong negotiation and contract management experience with demonstrated cost savings achievements.
• Experience purchasing MRO materials, industrial equipment, maintenance parts, and production-related materials.
• Working knowledge of ERP/MRP systems (SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, JD Edwards, etc.).
• Strong understanding of inventory management, forecasting, and supplier performance management.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and procurement reporting tools.
• APICS (CPIM/CSCP), CPSM, or CPM certification is a plus.

Preferred Skills

• Chemical manufacturing or process manufacturing experience.
• Capital project procurement.
• Vendor qualification and supplier development.
• Strategic sourcing and category management.
• Lean Manufacturing or Continuous Improvement initiatives.
• Multi-site procurement experience.