Director of Purchasing

Director of Purchasing (Construction / Mechanical)

We are seeking a strategic and results-driven Director of Purchasing to lead our procurement function across a large-scale, multi-project mechanical contracting operation. This role is critical to ensuring cost efficiency, supply chain reliability, and material availability while directly contributing to project margins and overall company profitability. The ideal candidate brings deep construction procurement expertise, strong vendor relationships, and a proven ability to drive measurable cost savings in a fast-paced, project-driven environment.

Essential duties and responsibilities include:

• Develop and execute enterprise-wide procurement strategies aligned with company growth goals
• Lead sourcing initiatives across key material categories (HVAC, piping, plumbing, equipment)
• Negotiate high-value vendor agreements, and rebate programs
• Drive material cost savings and protect project margins
• Partner with estimating and operations to align pricing strategies and project budgets
• Monitor commodity trends (steel, copper, etc.) and mitigate pricing risk
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers and distributors
• Evaluate vendor performance, pricing, and reliability
• Ensure supply continuity and proactively address shortages or delays
• Collaborate with project managers to ensure timely procurement and delivery
• Support large-scale and complex project purchasing requirements
• Resolve procurement challenges impacting schedules or costs
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing procurement team
• Establish KPIs and accountability across purchasing and materials management
• Drive a culture of performance, collaboration, and continuous improvement
• Improve procurement workflows, reporting, and analytics
• Optimize ERP and purchasing systems (Viewpoint)

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Construction Management, Supply Chain Management or a related field (required).
• 10+ years of procurement or supply chain experience, with construction or mechanical contracting required
• 5+ years of leadership experience managing teams and large-scale spend
• Proven track record of delivering cost savings and supplier negotiations at scale
• Strong understanding of project-based procurement environments
• Excellent financial, analytical, and negotiation skills
• Experience with ERP/procurement systems
• Deep knowledge of mechanical systems (HVAC, piping, plumbing).
• Strong understanding of construction documents, codes, and industry standards.
• Strong familiarity with construction contract structures, risk allocation, and industry standards.
• Excellent negotiation, mathematical, and analytical skills.

Preferred qualifications:

• Strategic thinking and decision-making
• Strong leadership and team development skills
• Excellent communication and presentation abilities
• Negotiation and relationship management
• Financial acumen and analytical skills
• Problem-solving and attention to detail
• Prior in house experience with a general contractor, construction manager, or large specialty contractor.

Computer skills:

• Must demonstrate proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, (i.e. Outlook, Word and Excel). Advanced end-user of Excel.
• Working knowledge of purchasing software a plus.

Required attributes:

• Practical, business oriented preconstruction judgment
• Ability to balance supply chain risks with operational realities
• Ability to manage high volume, high value purchasing deliverables under tight deadlines
• Must demonstrate integrity, honesty, professionalism, and appropriate concern regarding dissemination of sensitive and confidential information.
• Must demonstrate the ability to work well in a team oriented work environment and flexibility to take on added responsibilities when department demands present with additional work load.
• Must demonstrate professional self discipline and initiative in performing work, attention to detail and committed to performing work within specified deadlines.
• Must prioritize and organize work in a fast paced multi-tasking environment.
• Must build positive working relationships with multiple levels of employees, management, suppliers, and customers.
• Must demonstrate commitment to company values and safety culture.

Language skills:

Must have the demonstrated ability to effectively communicate in English, cooperate, and collaborate with multiple levels of customer, employees, unions, government agencies, vendors and suppliers, and other contractor organizations.

Physical demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, see, talk, and hear. The employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is regularly required to walk, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to twenty-five (25) pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the…