Purchasing Area Leader

Bowling Green, KY

7 days ago

Job Description

Position Overview
We are seeking an experienced and results-driven Purchasing Area Leader to lead and oversee a team of four Buyers responsible for the procurement of direct materials. This individual will play a key role in developing purchasing strategies, managing supplier relationships, driving cost savings, and ensuring the timely availability of materials to support production and business objectives.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in direct material purchasing, with experience in steel procurement highly preferred. Automotive industry experience is also a plus. This leader must be a hands-on manager who can develop their team while driving supplier performance, cost competitiveness, and supply chain efficiency.
Key Responsibilities

Lead, mentor, and develop a team of four Buyers, providing direction, coaching, and performance management.
Oversee purchasing activities for direct materials to ensure uninterrupted production and operational efficiency.
Develop and execute purchasing strategies that align with business objectives, cost targets, and production requirements.
Manage supplier relationships, including supplier selection, negotiations, pricing agreements, and performance management.
Drive cost-reduction initiatives, productivity improvements, and continuous improvement within the purchasing function.
Monitor market trends, material pricing, and supply chain risks to identify opportunities and mitigate potential disruptions.
Partner cross-functionally with Operations, Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, and Finance to support business needs.
Ensure purchasing activities meet quality, delivery, inventory, and cost expectations.
Negotiate contracts, pricing, payment terms, and long-term supplier agreements.
Monitor supplier performance metrics, including on-time delivery, quality, cost, and responsiveness.
Identify opportunities to improve purchasing processes, supplier consolidation, and overall procurement efficiency.
Resolve supplier-related issues and proactively address material shortages or delivery challenges.

Qualifications & Experience

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations, or a related field preferred.
5+ years of experience in purchasing, procurement, or strategic sourcing, preferably within a manufacturing environment.
Demonstrated experience purchasing direct materials is required.
Prior experience leading, supervising, or developing a purchasing team preferred.
Steel purchasing or metals procurement experience strongly preferred.
Automotive industry experience preferred.
Strong negotiation, supplier management, and cost-reduction experience.
Experience with ERP/MRP systems and purchasing processes.
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Excellent communication and cross-functional leadership abilities.

Numbers & Facts

Location

Bowling Green, KY

Skills

Analysis Skillsunmatched
Automotive Industryunmatched
Business Operationsunmatched
Business Supportunmatched
Coachingunmatched
Communication Skillsunmatched
Continuous Improvementunmatched
Contract Negotiationunmatched
Cost Controlunmatched
Cross-Functionalunmatched
ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning)unmatched
Financeunmatched
Inventory Costsunmatched
Leadershipunmatched
Manufacturingunmatched
Market Trackingunmatched
Market Trend Analysisunmatched
Mentoringunmatched
Negotiation Skillsunmatched
Operations Managementunmatched
Organizational Skillsunmatched
Performance Analysisunmatched
Performance Managementunmatched
Performance Metricsunmatched
Pricingunmatched
Problem Solving Skillsunmatched
Process Improvementunmatched
Procurement Managementunmatched
Procurement Strategyunmatched
Production Costingunmatched
Production Supportunmatched
Productivity Managementunmatched
Purchasing/Procurementunmatched
Risk Analysisunmatched
Sourcing Strategyunmatched
Strategic Planningunmatched
Supplier Relationship Management (SRM)unmatched
Supply Chainunmatched
Supply Chain Managementunmatched
Time Managementunmatched
Vendor/Supplier Evaluationunmatched
Vendor/Supplier Managementunmatched
Vendor/Supplier Relationsunmatched
Vendor/Supplier Selectionunmatched

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