Procurement Manager
Location: Columbus, OH
Job Type: Direct Hire
Salary: Starting at $100,000+ annually (Based on Experience)
Position Overview
We are seeking an experienced Procurement Manager to lead purchasing and supply chain activities within a manufacturing environment. This role is responsible for ensuring the timely availability of raw materials, fabricated components, and purchased parts needed to support production schedules and customer commitments.
The Procurement Manager will oversee supplier relationships, cost management, inventory optimization, and procurement strategy while collaborating closely with production, engineering, planning, and quality teams. The ideal candidate is a hands-on supply chain professional with experience in custom manufacturing, fabrication, or engineer-to-order environments.
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Key Responsibilities
Procurement Leadership & Strategy
- Develop and execute procurement strategies aligned with business objectives and production requirements.
- Establish supplier selection, qualification, and performance management processes.
- Identify opportunities for cost reduction, supplier consolidation, and supply chain improvements.
- Build and maintain strong supplier partnerships focused on quality, delivery, and cost performance.
- Support make-versus-buy decisions in collaboration with engineering and operations teams.
Materials Planning & Supply Chain Coordination
- Ensure timely availability of raw materials, fabricated components, hardware, and purchased parts.
- Coordinate purchasing activities with production schedules and project requirements.
- Monitor lead times, shortages, and supply constraints that may impact operations.
- Implement strategies to reduce stockouts, expedite costs, and production delays.
- Support inventory planning efforts to balance material availability with cost efficiency.
Supplier Management & Performance
- Manage supplier relationships and performance metrics.
- Conduct supplier evaluations, negotiations, and business reviews.
- Lead supplier corrective action initiatives in partnership with quality and engineering teams.
- Develop alternative sourcing strategies to reduce supply chain risk.
- Track supplier performance related to quality, delivery, responsiveness, and cost.
Cost Management & Commercial Oversight
- Drive cost-saving initiatives across raw materials and purchased components.
- Lead supplier pricing negotiations and contract discussions.
- Analyze spending trends and identify procurement efficiencies.
- Monitor commodity and market trends affecting material costs.
- Support forecasting and budgeting efforts related to procurement activities.
Internal Collaboration & Process Improvement
- Partner with production, engineering, project management, and planning teams to ensure material readiness.
- Assist with purchasing approvals, purchase order execution, and issue resolution.
- Escalate and resolve material shortages that may impact production schedules.
- Maintain ERP system accuracy for purchasing, inventory, and supplier information.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives within procurement and supply chain operations.
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, Operations, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
- 5–10 years of procurement, purchasing, or supply chain experience within a manufacturing environment.
- Experience supporting custom manufacturing, fabrication, engineer-to-order (ETO), or make-to-order operations.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing materials, components, and supply chain processes.
- Experience utilizing ERP/MRP systems.
- Excellent negotiation, analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
Preferred
- Experience within fabrication, industrial manufacturing, electrical equipment, or related industries.
- Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing principles and inventory optimization strategies.
- Experience managing supplier performance programs and corrective action processes.
- Exposure to commodity-based purchasing environments involving metals and industrial materials.
- Experience supporting ETO or make-to-order manufacturing operations.
What Success Looks Like
- Reduced material shortages and supply chain disruptions.
- Improved supplier quality and on-time delivery performance.
- Increased procurement efficiency and measurable cost savings.
- Improved inventory accuracy and inventory turnover.
- Strong alignment between procurement activities and production schedules.
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Why Join Us?
This is an exciting opportunity to lead procurement and supply chain initiatives within a growing manufacturing organization. You'll play a key role in optimizing supplier performance, driving operational efficiency, and supporting long-term business growth.
