Strategic Buyer Job Location: Cincinnati, OH Reports to: Director, Supply Chain FLSA Status: Exempt Employment Type: Full-time About PPGPrecision Products Group (PPG) is a growing global leader in converting niche engineered materials for electrical, aerospace & defense, medical, and electrical industrial markets across the globe. PPG operates across multiple company divisions and brands, which include Cindus Corporation, Paramount Tube, Breyden Products, Saylor Technical Products, Euclid Medical, and PPG China. PPG has developed significant operational capabilities to serve a wide range of customers with unique solutions and products by leveraging decades of experience in their respective markets. In supporting the customers and markets, PPG designs and builds highly customized engineered solutions and products using a collaborative team approach and partnership with our customers. PPG is a process driven organization that relies on robust engineering practices, highly skilled team members, and a customer-centric approach that delivers high-quality products to the market. Role OverviewThe Strategic Buyer is responsible for managing sourcing and supplier performance in support of two PPG manufacturing facilities, with a clear path to take on additional plants and broader category ownership across the PPG family of companies as the role grows. This role handles a mix of direct materials — such as engineered paper, textiles, copper, and chemicals — along with related indirect spend, based on what the assigned plants need. It is a hands-on buying role today, balancing day-to-day purchase order execution with supplier follow-up and inventory support, while also reading supply markets, building supplier leverage, developing sourcing strategies, and adding real analysis to sourcing decisions rather than just processing them. Key ResponsibilitiesSourcing & Purchasing Execution - Manage day-to-day sourcing and purchasing for assigned categories at both plants, balancing cost, quality, lead time, and supply risk.
- Issue and manage purchase orders for direct materials, indirect materials, and MRO supplies.
- Monitor open orders, expedite as needed, and resolve delivery or quality discrepancies with suppliers.
- Maintain accurate purchasing, forecasting, and inventory data within the ERP system to support planning.
Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Strategy - Develop and execute sourcing strategies for assigned categories, with an eye toward leveraging volume as scope expands across additional PPG sites.
- Read supply markets and track commodity trends to inform timing and negotiating leverage.
- Identify and qualify new suppliers where needed to reduce risk or improve cost, quality, or service.
- Build basic cost and total-cost-of-ownership (TCO) analysis to support sourcing decisions beyond unit price.
- Partner with engineering and operations on supplier selection for new programs and product launches.
Supplier Relationship Management - Negotiate pricing, terms, and contracts with suppliers.
- Manage structured supplier management processes — onboarding, scorecards, and periodic business reviews — to track performance and drive accountability.
- Monitor supplier delivery, quality, and responsiveness; resolve issues as they arise and drive corrective action when performance slips.
- Build and maintain strong working relationships that support long-term supply reliability.
Inventory & Cost Management - Manage inventory levels for assigned categories at both plants — balancing service levels against carrying cost and flagging slow-moving or excess stock.
- Track and report cost savings, cost avoidance, and purchase price variance.
- Support annual budgeting and forecasting with input on material cost trends.
Continuous Improvement & Cross-site Collaboration - Identify and lead continuous improvement initiatives across sourcing, inventory, and supplier management processes to reduce cost, cycle time, and waste.
- Partner with Operations, Engineering, and Quality at both facilities to align sourcing with production schedules and specifications.
- Flag category or market risks and opportunities to procurement leadership.
- As scope expands, partner with procurement and operations leaders across additional PPG sites to standardize purchasing practices and prepare reporting on spend, savings, and key procurement metrics.
Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience required.
- 3–5 years of experience in procurement, buying, or sourcing, ideally within a manufacturing or industrial environment.
- Experience negotiating with suppliers and managing supplier performance.
- Strong analytical skills and comfort working with data in Excel.
- Experience working within an ERP/MRP system (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Infor, or similar).
- Sourcing experience in engineered paper, textiles, copper/metals, or chemicals is a plus.
- Exposure to category strategy or should-cost/TCO modeling preferred.
- Experience supporting multiple sites or business units preferred.
- Professional certification such as CPSM, CPIM, CSCP, or CPM is a plus.
- Strong project management, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- Effective communicator able to collaborate and work cross-functionally across the enterprise.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, & Outlook).
- Preferred experience working within small-to-mid-sized companies that are PE-owned.
TravelThis position is based at the Cincinnati, OH location and will have some travel required. Ability to travel up to 20% of the time to attend off-site company meetings, plant visits, and supplier locations. What We Offer- Competitive compensation (base salary plus performance-based incentives)
- Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision (PPO and HSA options)
- 401K with company match
- Highly engaged culture that recognizes and rewards high performance
- A collaborative and supportive team environment with strong leadership
- Opportunities for career progression and the ability to make an immediate impact on the business
- Exposure to a diverse customer base spanning pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and medical device markets
Equal Opportunity StatementWe are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by
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