Procurement Manager – 1st Shift – Supply Chain
Monday-Friday, 1st Shift
Argen Corporation currently has an exciting opportunity for a Procurement Manager to join a growing, technology-focused and service-oriented team. Do you thrive in a fast- paced and dynamic environment? If you would like to be a part of an organization with an unwavering commitment to quality dental solutions, then explore our career opportunities and get to know Argen.
About Us
Argen is a family-owned and privately held company based in San Diego, CA with a state-of-the-art manufacturing center that provides high quality dental solutions to dental labs of all sizes. Founded as a precious metals company in South Africa, Argen has evolved into a dynamic, technology-based manufacturing organization focused on three key business segments, including dental alloys, zirconia, and digital dentistry solutions. Argen continues to invest in innovative product improvement initiatives through its Quality Management System to provide our global customers with affordable, high-performance products and industry-leading excellent service. Argen’s products are FDA regulated and ISO certified.
About the Opportunity
The Senior Procurement Manager leads Argen's procurement function and translates supply chain priorities established by the Sr. Director of Supply Chain into sourcing, purchasing, supplier performance, and supply continuity plans. This role manages day-to-day procurement operations and the procurement team; develops category and supplier strategies for assigned direct, indirect, and capital spend; and drives measurable improvements in cost, working capital, quality, delivery, and risk. The position partners cross-functionally to support production and new product introductions and provides analysis and recommendations for broader supply chain decisions.
In this role, the successful candidate:
- Translates priorities established by the Sr. Director into procurement plans, category roadmaps, and cost, quality, delivery, working capital, and risk targets.
- Leads day-to-day purchasing operations and ensures timely availability of production and non-production materials, equipment, and services.
- Develops and executes strategic sourcing and category management initiatives for assigned direct, indirect, and capital spend.
- Leads RFx activities, should-cost and total-cost analyses, and supplier negotiations within delegated authority; recommends major or long-term agreements for senior approval.
- Establishes supplier segmentation, scorecards, business reviews, development plans, and corrective actions to improve performance.
- Maintains procurement risk and continuity plans, including alternate sources, capacity, lead-time, and obsolescence mitigation; escalates material risks and recommended actions.
- Partners with Planning and Manufacturing to maintain lead times, safety stock, Kanban, VMI, and MRP inputs that balance supply continuity and inventory objectives.
- Ensures critical component availability throughout the product lifecycle, from New Product Introduction through End of Life.
- Leads Early Supplier Involvement, sourcing, supplier readiness, and capacity planning for new products and significant product changes.
- Ensures purchase orders, contracts, supplier records, and procurement processes comply with legal, quality, and regulatory requirements, including purchasing controls.
- Tracks and validates savings, cost avoidance, purchase-price variance, payment terms, supplier performance, and other procurement KPIs; communicates results and corrective actions.
- Manages procurement spend forecasts and budget; identifies opportunities to improve cash flow and total delivered cost.
- Partners with Quality, Engineering, Manufacturing, Finance, Legal, and Logistics to resolve supplier, technical, commercial, and supply continuity issues.
- Coordinates with customs brokers and logistics partners on procurement-related import requirements, tariffs, HTS classifications, duty drawback, and landed-cost considerations.
- Standardizes procurement processes, roles, KPIs, and system workflows; leads continuous improvement and ERP/process enhancements within the function.
- Builds and develops the procurement team through goals, delegation, regular 1:1s, performance feedback, coaching, succession planning, and professional development.
- Other duties as assigned.
What does it take to be successful?
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business Administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience; advanced degree preferred.
- Minimum of eight years of progressive procurement or supply chain experience, including significant direct-material sourcing in a manufacturing environment.
- Minimum of five years of people leadership experience, including managing and developing buyers or procurement professionals.
- Professional supply chain certification preferred, such as CPSM, CSCP, or CPIM.
- Demonstrated experience in category management, strategic sourcing, RFx, supplier selection, should-cost analysis, total cost of ownership, and contract negotiation.
- Experience managing supplier performance, supplier development, corrective actions, and supply continuity or risk mitigation plans.
- Strong knowledge and use of ERP, MRP, and procurement analytics systems; QAD Manufacturing preferred.
- Demonstrated experience with Kanban, VMI, MRP, supplier portals, and other replenishment processes.
- Knowledge of inventory drivers and ability to balance supply continuity, working capital, lead times, minimum order quantities, and excess and obsolete inventory.
- Experience with duty drawback, U.S. Customs, HTS codes, tariffs, customs brokers, and procurement-related landed-cost analysis.
- Understanding of contractual terms and conditions, non-disclosure agreements, and supply agreements, with the ability to partner effectively with Legal.
- Experience in medical device or another regulated manufacturing environment, including 21 CFR Part 820 and ISO 13485 purchasing controls.
- Knowledge of applicable cGMP regulations, including ISO 13485, 21 CFR Part 820, CMDR SOR/98-282, 93/42/EEC, RDC 16 2013, MHLW MO 169, and TG(MD)R Sch3 preferred.
- Experience with Lean, A3, Six Sigma, PDCA, or similar continuous improvement methods.
- Strong analytical, financial, problem-solving, and negotiation skills.
- Strong written and verbal communication and influencing skills, including the ability to present concise recommendations to senior leadership.
Our Awesome Benefits!
Working for a growing innovative company like Argen means exciting opportunities for training and learning, career development and advancement from only the best in the dental industry. With all that hard work, Argen is committed to ensuring the welfare of its employees and provides an amazing benefit package that includes:
- Health/Dental/Vision Plans
- 401k with Employer Match
- Paid Vacation, Holiday and Sick Time
- Employee Events
- Wellness Programs
- Discounts for home, travel, entertainment, relaxation that includes Mobile phone service, Technology, Airline and Hotel, Theater/Theme Park tickets, Restaurants and so much more!
EOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled VEVRAA Federal Contractor
