What are the responsibilities and job description for the Purchasing Inventory Manager position at Eclipse Outdoor?
Company Description
Eclipse Outdoor is a dynamic and growing company specializing in custom-made shade products. We are committed to delivering high-quality products and exceptional customer experiences. Our mission is to empower individuals with reliable, innovative, and durable solutions for their outdoor needs
Role Description
This is a full-time on-site role for a Purchasing Inventory Manager located in Statesville, NC. The Purchasing Inventory Manager will be responsible for ensuring materials and components are available to meet production and customer commitments while maintaining accurate inventory and controlling total material costs. This role manages purchasing activities, vendor relationships, and inventory processes (receiving, counts, and transactions) and partners with Production, Quality, and Accounting to improve service levels, accuracy, and efficiency.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, coach, and develop direct reports across purchasing/receiving/inventory activities; set clear expectations and ensure daily execution and accountability.
- Own purchasing activities for assigned commodities/suppliers, including requisitions/POs, order confirmations, and expedites.
- Plan and execute replenishment to support the production schedule; maintain appropriate min/max levels, reorder points, and safety stock.
- Develop and maintain supplier relationships; evaluate vendor performance for on-time delivery, quality, responsiveness, and cost.
- Negotiate pricing and terms when applicable; support sourcing decisions that reduce total cost and improve lead times.
- Oversee receiving and inventory transaction accuracy (receipts, issues, transfers, adjustments) within the ERP/system of record.
- Manage inventory accuracy through cycle counts and periodic physical inventories; investigate variances and implement corrective actions.
- Monitor inventory health (stockouts, excess/obsolete, turns) and drive actions to prevent shortages and reduce carrying costs.
- Coordinate with Quality on nonconforming material, returns, supplier corrective actions, and documentation as needed.
- Collaborate with Accounting/Finance on invoice matching, PO compliance, cost changes, and month-end inventory activities.
- Create and maintain clear work instructions; train/coach team members and support continuous improvement initiatives.
Required Qualifications for Consideration:
- High school diploma or GED
- 3 years of experience in purchasing, inventory control, materials management, or a related role in a manufacturing environment.
- Working knowledge of purchasing processes, supplier management, and inventory control principles (cycle counting, replenishment, turns).
- Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Excel for analysis and reporting.
- Strong communication and follow-up skills; able to coordinate across departments and with external suppliers.
- Ability to prioritize multiple deadlines, work independently, and maintain accurate records.
You Will Excite Us If:
- Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, or related field preferred.
- Experience with demand planning, MRP parameters, and lead-time management.
- Negotiation experience and familiarity with supplier scorecards/contract terms.
- Knowledge of lean manufacturing concepts and continuous improvement tools (5S, kaizen, root cause analysis).
- Experience with import purchasing, freight coordination, or logistics (as applicable).
- APICS/ASCM certification (CPIM, CSCP) or willingness to pursue.
- Proficiency with Epicor (ERP/MRP)