Purchasing Manager - On Site Mebane, NC

UPI Global Ingredients (UPI) is a supplier of Natural Ingredients and Chemicals to the Personal Care, Food & Beverage, Pharmaceutical, Veterinary, Health & Nutrition, Flavor & Fragrance, HI&I, Ag & Feed, and Industrial Trades.

The Purchasing Manager leads UPI Global Ingredients’ purchasing team and oversees sourcing and procurement activities to ensure a reliable, cost-effective supply of natural ingredients and chemicals. This role develops purchasing strategies, manages supplier relationships and negotiations, and aligns inventory planning with customer demand and business objectives. Working closely with Sales, Operations, Logistics, and Quality, the Purchasing Manager drives supplier performance, mitigates supply chain risks, and ensures sourced materials meet applicable quality, safety, and regulatory requirements.

• Lead, mentor, and manage the purchasing team, establishing clear expectations, supporting professional development, and fostering accountability and continuous improvement.
• Develop and implement purchasing and sourcing strategies that support the company’s cost, quality, delivery, and business objectives.
• Identify, evaluate, and select suppliers; negotiate pricing, payment terms, contracts, and other purchasing conditions.
• Monitor market trends, commodity pricing, and supply chain vulnerabilities related to specialty and bulk chemicals to inform purchasing decisions and category strategies.
• Manage inventory levels to minimize shortages and excess stock, balancing customer demand forecasts, supplier lead times, and business needs.
• Collaborate with Sales, Operations, Logistics, Quality, and Ownership to align purchasing activities with customer requirements and company priorities.
• Monitor supplier performance and coordinate the timely resolution of quality, delivery, and other supplier-related issues.
• Evaluate and prioritize purchasing categories and supplier relationships to strengthen strategic partnerships, reduce costs, and improve supply reliability.
• Oversee purchasing-related import requirements, coordinating with Logistics and relevant personnel to ensure appropriate shipping and hazardous materials documentation.
• Develop and maintain approved vendor lists, supplier qualification records, safety data sheets (SDS), and required certifications.
• Coordinate with Quality and personnel responsible for safety and regulatory compliance to verify that sourced materials and supplier documentation meet applicable requirements, including REACH and TSCA.
• Establish and maintain supplier scorecards and key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate cost, quality, and delivery performance.
• Develop contingency plans and alternative sourcing strategies for critical materials to mitigate supply disruptions and support business continuity.
• Maintain accurate purchasing records and identify opportunities to improve procurement processes, reporting, and efficiency.
• Leadership & Team Development:
  Ability to set expectations, delegate effectively, coach employees, and build an accountable, high-performing purchasing team.
• Strategic Sourcing:
  Ability to evaluate sourcing options, prioritize purchasing categories, and align procurement decisions with business objectives.
• Negotiation & Supplier Management:
  Strong negotiation skills and the ability to establish productive supplier relationships while addressing performance concerns.
• Analytical Thinking & Business Judgment:
  Ability to assess pricing, purchasing data, market trends, and supplier performance to make informed, cost-conscious decisions.
• Inventory Planning &
  
  Risk Management:
  
  Ability to balance supply availability, demand forecasts, inventory investment, and supplier lead times while anticipating potential…