Purchasing Manager

Company Description

Ludman Industries is a global original equipment manufacturer specializing in compactors, granulators, briquetters, flaking, and shredding mills, as well as turnkey systems for agglomeration and material sizing projects. The company serves diverse industries including mining, fertilizer, mineral, chemical, food, and wastewater treatment. With a fully integrated, state-of-the-art manufacturing plant and over 50 years of experience, Ludman Industries supports customers from testing and design through production, distribution, and after-sales service.

Hundreds of machines operate worldwide, reflecting the company’s focus on superior product performance and high yield. Team members join a technically driven environment committed to quality, innovation, and long-term customer partnerships.

The Purchasing Manager is a full-time, on-site role based in Milwaukee, WI, responsible for overseeing all procurement activities to support manufacturing and project delivery. This role manages supplier relationships, negotiates pricing and contracts, and ensures timely acquisition of materials, components, and services. The Purchasing Manager collaborates closely with engineering, production, and finance to forecast demand, optimize inventory levels, and reduce costs without compromising quality.

Daily responsibilities include issuing purchase orders, monitoring supplier performance, resolving discrepancies, and maintaining accurate purchasing records and reports. The role also involves continuously improving purchasing processes, identifying new sourcing opportunities, and supporting compliance with company policies and industry standards.

• Strong procurement and supply chain skills, including vendor selection, contract negotiation, and cost analysis.
• Experience in materials and inventory management within a manufacturing or industrial equipment environment.
• Comfort with manual data entry and tracking through the use of Excel as opposed to ERP or MRP systems to manage purchasing activities and reporting.
• Effective communication, collaboration, and relationship-building skills with internal teams and external suppliers.
• Ability to prioritize, problem-solve, and make sound decisions in a fast-paced, production-focused setting.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Operations, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.
• Prior experience in heavy manufacturing, industrial machinery, or related industries is beneficial.
• Demonstrated commitment to ethical purchasing practices, quality standards, and continuous improvement.

• Capable of overseeing all purchasing and procurement needs for the company
• Negotiating terms and pricing with vendors utilizing analysis of trends
• Purchasing and maintaining inventory for spare parts, Customer owned inventory and OEM manufacturing.
• Procuring raw materials, components, and indirect services from international and domestic vendors.
• Maintain purchase orders, order confirmations, and expedite orders weekly.
• Including entering orders and processing them and communicating via phone and email
• Experience using Excel, Word, Quick Books, and Solid Works experience a plus.
• Must have the ability to read & understand engineering drawings. (Drawings consist of light and heavy fabrications and machining) Having a background in this area will be a big help.
• Work well with other team members.
• Understand the confidentiality of our products & customers.
• The understanding in creating workbooks that can change within the completion of a job due to component availability or changes to add new technology within the process. If and when a change takes place you must update the drawing books.