Company Overview
Since 1944, Unistrut Service Company (USC) has been a leader in metal framing solutions. We serve contractors, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and industrial customers nationwide, including the data center market. From our 55,000-square-foot facility in Elyria, Ohio, we supply Unistrut channel, fittings, and hardware, along with cutting, powder coating, assembly, kitting, and engineered solutions.
Our three uniques define what we bring to customers: earned expertise built through decades of solving application challenges; national sourcing reach to connect customers with the products they need; and stock to system, combining stocked material with value-added services to deliver products ready for installation or integration.
Our pledge is Done Fast/Done Right. Four core values support that pledge and guide how we deliver on it every day: Do the right thing; Work with resolve; Take people to higher ground; and Be versatile.
Position Summary
The Supply Chain Manager owns USCs material planning, purchasing, supplier performance, and inventory strategy. This is a hands-on leadership role accountable for buying the right material, in the right quantities, and getting it here in time to support customer commitments and production schedules, while managing landed cost and working capital.
The manager uses open orders, inventory data, sales forecasts, and recurring customer requirements to identify supply gaps and act before they disrupt fulfillment. The role leads assigned purchasing and inventory personnel and works closely with Sales, Operations, Production, Engineering, and DFPs corporate procurement team to secure supply and turn backlog into shipments.
Key Responsibilities
Sourcing and Supplier Management
Develop supplier relationships and actively source through manufacturers, distributors, and other approved channels when normal supply cannot meet USCs needs.
Develop alternate sources for constrained or critical items. Coordinate technical and customer approval of substitutions before purchase or use.
Negotiate pricing, lead times, freight, minimum order quantities, and payment terms within delegated authority. Evaluate total landed cost and availability when choosing stock purchases, direct shipments, or alternate sources.
Track supplier delivery reliability, lead-time accuracy, quality, and responsiveness. Conduct regular reviews with key suppliers and follow corrective actions through completion.
Coordinate with DFP procurement on supplier agreements, sourcing opportunities, and purchasing policies while maintaining clear ownership of USCs daily supply requirements.
Inventory and Purchasing Discipline
Set and maintain item stocking classifications, reorder points, safety stock, and purchasing parameters based on demand, customer criticality, supplier reliability, and replenishment lead times.
Balance service levels and inventory investment. Protect availability of critical products while reducing excess, obsolete, and slow-moving inventory.
Develop stocking and blanket-purchase proposals for recurring customer programs, supported by demand history, customer commitments, and inventory exposure.
Operate within approved budgets and purchasing limits; escalate exceptions with a recommendation.
Collaborate on procedures for purchasing accuracy and follow-through, including order acknowledgments, confirmed delivery dates, and resolution of supplier discrepancies.
Collaborate on procedures with warehouse and production leaders on inventory accuracy, cycle counts, receiving discrepancies, and transaction discipline.
Systems and Team Leadership
Maintain Acumatica as the system of record for purchasing and inventory information. Use USCs business intelligence tools to identify shortages, demand patterns, and purchasing opportunities, with decisions reflected in the ERP.
Lead recurring demand and supply reviews with Sales and Operations, including backlog readiness, upcoming projects, supplier constraints, and inventory investment decisions.
Improve purchasing and planning efficiency by reducing manual rework, duplicate tracking, and preventable expediting. Report progress and resolve recurring causes of shortages.
Coach and develop assigned team members; document recurring workflows, cross-train backups, and support hiring and onboarding as needed.
Measures of Success
Performance will be assessed against agreed targets for critical-item availability, material-related order holds and their age, supplier on-time delivery, purchase-order accuracy, inventory turns and aging and landed-cost performance. Inventory reductions will be evaluated alongside service levels and fulfillment reliability.
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Required Qualifications
Five or more years of experience in procurement, inventory management, or supply chain operations, with at least three years in a supervisory or managerial role.
Demonstrated success managing material availability and inventory in an industrial distribution, manufacturing, or fabrication environment, including supply shortages and changing lead times.
Strong working knowledge of ERP/MRP systems, replenishment planning, and inventory controls; proficiency in Excel and reporting tools.
Experience negotiating with suppliers, developing alternate sources, and evaluating landed cost and inventory tradeoffs.
Ability to lead a team, improve processes, and work across Sales and Operations. Strong follow-through and clear communication of delivery risks and recovery plans.
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelors degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, or a related field; relevant experience may substitute.
Experience with Acumatica, industrial metal products, strut systems, or value-added distribution.
Experience supporting recurring OEM or contractor BOMs, blanket orders, and customer stocking programs.
Working knowledge of lean or continuous improvement principles; CSCP, CPIM, or CPSM certification.
Pre-Employment Requirements
Valid Drivers License & Evidence of Ability to Insure
Criminal Justice Background Check (state and federal)
Drug Test (5-panel)
E-Verify eligibility verification
Physical Requirements
This position may require sitting at a computer station or desk for up to eight hours a day; reading, counting, and writing to complete documentation; and using a keyboard, phone, and office equipment. Some walking, bending, reaching, and standing may be required. Employees must adhere to company safety standards and wear appropriate personal protective equipment when required by the work environment.
Work Schedule
Full time, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with a one-hour lunch as scheduled with management. Additional hours may be required to satisfy job duties and department demand.
Company Benefits
Benefit eligibility begins on the first of the month following the completion of 30 days of employment.
Benefits offered are: Medical, Dental, Vision, Long-term Disability, Short-term Disability, and Life Insurance
There is a company-sponsored life insurance policy that employees are eligible for even if waiving other coverages.
401(k) contribution eligibility is the start of the first pay period following the completion of 30 days of employment through John Hancock employer match is 5% at enrollment.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Unistrut Service Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other legally protected status under applicable federal, state, or local laws.
We value diverse perspectives and believe that a wide range of experiences and backgrounds strengthens our team. Our core valuesResolve to the nth power, Do the right thing, Be versatile, and Take people to higher groundguide how we treat one another and support our mission of saving lives. We are proud to build a workplace where everyone can thrive.
Additional Responsibilities
This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the role and does not include every task or responsibility that may be required. Duties and responsibilities may evolve or change over time to meet the needs of the business, and the employee may be asked to perform other related tasks as assigned, with or without prior notice.
