Purchasing Director

General Position Summary:

This is a high-visibility, senior Procurement leadership role and reports to the Head of Procurement within the Operations organization. The incumbent directs tactical purchasing and strategic supplier management for assigned business segment(s). Conducts lean-based planning, leads and implements procurement programs including vendor management & savings initiatives, drives continuous improvement, and other projects as required. Develops systems and processes, implements policies, and leads staff to achieve the company's business objectives.

Job Scope:

This position is responsible for strategic and tactical purchasing management. The role will focus on executing effective purchasing processes by leveraging continuous improvement, supplier management, and automation. This role operates within established parameters and applies technical principles to solve complex problems. Key responsibilities include:

• Developing and executing the Supplier Management Program to ensure the company captures negotiated savings.
• Directing and coordinating all assigned purchasing responsibilities to ensure the availability of goods and services, while effectively managing service level expectations and policy compliance.
• Effectively manages internal and external relationships in support of the department's objectives.
• Serving as the purchasing subject matter expert in tools, systems, and processes within assigned business segments.

Salary Range: $130,000 - $150,000/ year

Essential Functions:

• Plans, coordinates, and executes annual purchasing objectives in support of assigned business segment(s). Specific focus on managing Preferred Suppliers, formal supplier management programs, contract implementation and management.
• Drives the professional development of assigned team and leads appropriate continuous improvement, automation, and change management activities.
• Maintains purchasing standards, drives performance metrics and improves performance.
• Implements automated systems to facilitate and monitor purchasing functions of assigned employees and provides cost data for use in planning, budgeting and other functional activities as required. Maintains proper risk management and controls.
• Develops and directs purchasing procedures to satisfy company policies and department objectives. Remains current with industry trends and relevant supplier products and services. Makes practical recommendations to reduce costs, improve efficiency and effectiveness.
• Communicates effectively across the organization and with external partners. Collaborates constructively with assigned team and with peers, provides effective and timely status updates.
• Measures and manages assigned staff. Uses available resources to develop staff and to achieve procurement organizational goals. Other responsibilities as assigned.

Specific Job Skills:

• Procurement and Purchasing Management
• Supplier Performance Management.
• Team Player with strong relationship management skills.
• Ability to teach, coach, and mentor purchasing staff.
• 'Change Agent' with excellent verbal and written communications skills.
• Inventory Management.
• Effective problem solving and analytical capabilities.
• Demonstrated negotiation, organizational, and system analysis skills.
• Strong, quantitatively oriented problem-solving/Lean Thinking skills.
• Strong small to medium sized group presentation and communication skills.

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor's degree preferred, or equivalent experience.
• Ten or more years of purchasing experience with experience in a heavy industrial multi-location manufacturing environment highly preferred.
• Subject-Matter expertise in one or more ERP/Purchasing tools, Oracle preferred.
• Prior demonstrated experience with successful Lean Management projects and/or significant change management initiatives.
• Previous supervisory experience of supply chain and/or procurement staff.

Supervisory responsibility:

This position manages a regional purchasing team consisting of managers, supervisors, and buyers assigned across multiple, remote operating locations.