Purchasing Manager

Our client is a growing, privately held manufacturer in the food/beverage equipment and components space, supporting the assembly of specialized products through a combination of in-house operations and global supplier partnerships. With approximately 30 employees on-site and strong backing from a larger corporate parent, the organization is actively expanding its product portfolio and experiencing significant growth driven by new product launches.

The Purchasing Manager will play a critical role in ensuring a reliable and cost-effective supply of materials and components from external suppliers. This individual will lead day-to-day procurement operations, manage supplier relationships, and drive continuous improvement across quality, delivery, and cost.

This is a highly visible, hands-on leadership role supporting both the assembly operation and warehouse, reporting directly to the VP and managing one direct report.

• Lead procurement, planning, and inventory management activities to support production and operational goals
• Develop and maintain strong supplier partnerships to improve:
  • Year-over-year cost reductions (landed cost)
  • Supplier engagement and performance tracking
• Negotiate contracts, pricing, and terms with vendors in alignment with company and corporate objectives
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure material availability and alignment with production schedules
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across the supply base, including tariff mitigation and process optimization
• Utilize ERP systems and supply chain tools to monitor performance, analyze data, and support decision-making
• Support implementation and utilization of supply chain platforms (e.g., LeanDNA or similar tools)
• Manage and develop a small team while contributing as a hands-on individual contributor

• Bachelor s degree in Supply Chain, Business, or a related field
• 10+ years of supply chain, procurement, or materials management experience
• Proven experience in supplier relationship management and contract negotiation
• Strong background in inventory planning, procurement, and logistics
• Experience working within manufacturing, assembly, or industrial environments
• Proficiency with ERP systems and procurement tools
• Exposure to supply chain execution platforms (LeanDNA or similar) is a plus
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment

• Opportunity to step into a leadership role during a period of growth and new product expansion
• High visibility within a lean organization where your impact is immediate and measurable
• Backing of a larger corporate parent while maintaining a collaborative, entrepreneurial environment
• Clear runway for growth as the business continues to scale