Purchasing Manager
Manufacturing: Full-Time Position- Hybrid
Location: Greer, SC
Position Summary
The Purchasing Manager leads procurement operations for a manufacturing facility, ensuring cost-effective acquisition of raw materials, components, equipment, and services. This role is responsible for developing sourcing strategies, managing supplier relationships, negotiating contracts, and driving cost savings while maintaining the highest standards of quality and on-time delivery. The Purchasing Manager plays a critical role in keeping production lines running smoothly and on schedule, directly contributing to operational excellence and the company's bottom line. The ideal candidate combines strong analytical capabilities with exceptional negotiation skills and a deep understanding of manufacturing supply chains.
Key Responsibilities
● Develop and execute strategic sourcing and procurement plans for raw materials, MRO supplies, packaging, and capital equipment aligned with organizational goals and production forecasts.
● Identify, evaluate, and select suppliers through structured RFQ, RFP, and competitive bidding processes to ensure optimal value and supply continuity.
● Negotiate pricing, contracts, lead times, and payment terms with vendors to achieve favorable outcomes and long-term cost savings.
● Manage and mentor a team of buyers and purchasing agents, fostering professional development and ensuring consistent adherence to procurement best practices.
● Collaborate closely with production planning, engineering, quality assurance, and warehouse teams to accurately forecast material needs and prevent supply disruptions.
● Monitor market trends, commodity pricing fluctuations, and emerging supply chain risks, proactively adjusting sourcing strategies to mitigate exposure.
● Establish and maintain vendor scorecards and performance metrics, including quality ratings, on-time delivery percentages, and total cost of ownership.
● Ensure full compliance with company procurement policies, ISO standards, and applicable regulatory requirements across all purchasing activities.
● Drive cost reduction initiatives, value engineering projects, and continuous improvement programs to deliver measurable savings year over year.
● Manage purchase order processing, approval workflows, and ERP system data integrity to ensure accurate and timely procurement transactions.
● Oversee inventory levels to balance carrying costs with production requirements, minimizing excess and obsolete stock while preventing shortages.
● Resolve supplier quality issues, delivery delays, and invoice discrepancies in a timely manner, implementing corrective actions as needed.
● Prepare procurement budgets, detailed reports, and KPI dashboards for senior leadership, providing clear visibility into spend performance and savings opportunities.
● Support new product introductions (NPI) by sourcing prototype and production materials, coordinating with engineering to meet development timelines.
Required Qualifications
● Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
● 5–7+ years of progressive purchasing and procurement experience within a manufacturing environment.
● Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes, raw materials, and supply chain best practices.
● Proven experience with ERP/MRP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics).
● Demonstrated contract negotiation and vendor management skills with a track record of delivering cost savings.
● Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, with advanced Excel skills including pivot tables, VLOOKUP, and data analysis.
● Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities with a results-oriented mindset.
● Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all organizational levels.
Preferred Qualifications
● Master’s degree (MBA or MS in Supply Chain Management).
● Professional certifications such as CPSM (Certified Professional in Supply Management), CPM (Certified Purchasing Manager), or CSCP (Certified Supply Chain Professional).
● Experience with lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies.
● Familiarity with international sourcing, import/export regulations, and tariff management.
● Experience managing $10M+ annual spend budgets across multiple commodity categories.
Competencies & Skills
Competency
Description
Strategic Thinking & Planning
Ability to develop long-term sourcing strategies that align with business objectives and anticipate market changes.
Leadership & Team Development
Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop a high-performing procurement team.
Negotiation & Influence
Skilled in conducting complex negotiations and building consensus across diverse stakeholders.
Data-Driven Decision-Making
Leverages data analytics, KPIs, and market intelligence to inform procurement decisions.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Effectively partners with operations, engineering, finance, and quality teams to achieve shared goals.
Attention to Detail & Accuracy
Maintains precision in contracts, purchase orders, and financial reporting.
Adaptability
Thrives in fast-paced manufacturing environments with shifting priorities and tight deadlines.
Work Environment & Physical Requirements
● Primarily office-based within a manufacturing facility environment.
● May require walking the production floor and warehouse areas to assess materials and coordinate with operations.
● Standard working hours with occasional extended hours as needed to meet production deadlines or resolve urgent supply issues.
Compensation & Benefits
Compensation We offer a competitive salary commensurate with experience and qualifications, along with a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being and professional growth.
● Health & Wellness: Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
● Retirement: 401(k) plan with company match.
● Paid Time Off: Generous PTO policy including vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays.
● Additional Benefits: Life insurance, disability coverage.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Pilcher Hamilton an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Greer, SC 29650
