What are the responsibilities and job description for the Purchasing Manager position at Imagineering Enterprises LLC?
About Us
Imagineering Finishing Technologies is a leading metal finishing company dedicated to delivering high-quality solutions to our clients. The Imagineering brand is globally acknowledged as the KnowledgeSource™ for Metal Finishing. We take pride in our commitment to excellence, innovation, and a positive workplace culture.
Position Summary
The Purchasing Manager is responsible for leading and executing the organization’s procurement function across multiple manufacturing facilities. This role combines strategic purchasing leadership with hands-on transactional execution, ensuring consistent pricing, supplier compliance, inventory accuracy, and uninterrupted supply.
The Purchasing Manager operates in a regulated manufacturing environment and must ensure all purchasing activities comply with ITAR, AS9100D, ISO 9001, and Nadcap requirements. The role requires strong collaboration with Operations, Quality, and Finance, as well as frequent on-site presence across all locations.
Key Responsibilities
Purchasing Leadership & Strategy
- Lead the organization’s purchasing function across multiple manufacturing facilities, balancing strategic oversight with hands-on execution
- Directly manage and develop one Purchasing Coordinator
- Establish and maintain standardized sourcing, pricing, and supplier selection practices across all locations
- Lead supplier negotiations, contract renewals, and pricing agreements
- Provide guidance and escalation support to the Purchasing Coordinator on supplier issues, pricing discrepancies, and delivery challenges
- Identify and implement cost-reduction, supplier consolidation, and risk-mitigation opportunities
- Serve as the primary escalation point for supply interruptions, pricing disputes, and compliance concerns
- Ensure alignment between purchasing activities, operational requirements, and financial objectives
Transactional Purchasing & Execution
- Perform hands-on purchasing activities, including:
- Creating and approving purchase orders
- Managing expediting and delivery coordination
- Resolving pricing discrepancies and shortages
- Provide transactional backup and support to Purchasing Coordinator
- Ensure purchase orders align with approved pricing, contracts, and item master standards
- Maintain visibility into daily purchasing activity across all sites
Supplier Management & Compliance
- Partner with Quality to support requirements of applicable certifications
- Maintain approved supplier lists and compliance records as directed by Quality
Inventory Management & Physical Counts
- Establish and oversee inventory control policies and procedures
- Define weekly cycle count processes and year-end physical inventory requirements
- Review inventory variances, approve adjustments, and drive root-cause corrective actions
- Ensure inventory practices support accurate financial reporting and audit readiness
- Coordinate inventory activities with plant operations and Finance
Multi-Site Coordination
- Provide purchasing leadership and support across all five manufacturing facilities
- Ensure consistent purchasing practices regardless of location
- Travel regularly to facilities to support operations, inventory activities, supplier issues, and team collaboration
- Act as the central point of accountability for procurement across sites
Financial & Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner with Finance on budgeting, purchase price variance analysis, and working capital management
- Support month-end and year-end close activities
- Ensure purchasing documentation supports internal and external audits
- Collaborate with Operations, Engineering, and Quality on sourcing decisions and process improvements
Qualifications Required
- 5 years of purchasing or supply chain experience in a manufacturing environment
- Prior experience purchasing in organizations subject to:
- ITAR
- AS9100D
- ISO 9001
- Nadcap
- Demonstrated experience with both strategic sourcing and transactional purchasing
- Prior experience managing or mentoring purchasing, procurement, or supply chain team members in a manufacturing environment
- Strong understanding of inventory control and physical count processes
- Experience supporting audits and regulatory compliance
- Proficiency with ERP purchasing and inventory modules
- Ability and willingness to travel regularly between facilities
Preferred
- Experience supporting metal finishing or special-process manufacturing
- Multi-site purchasing leadership experience
- Formal supply chain or business education
- Prior experience purchasing industrial paint, coatings, or related finishing products, including familiarity with paint and coating supply considerations such as:
- Lead times and shelf life
- Lot traceability and documentation
- Supplier technical data sheets (TDS) and safety data sheets (SDS)
- Specification-driven purchasing requirements
Location: Office-based with regular travel
Facilities Supported:
- Niles, MI (2 locations)
- South Bend, IN (2 locations)
- Indianapolis, IN (1 location)
Travel Requirement: Regular travel among all five facilities
Reports to: Director of Finance
Benefits
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- HDHP Plans with Company contribution to H.S.A.
- Flexible spending accounts for Medical and Dependent Care
- Company paid life insurance with AD&D
- Company paid short-term disability insurance
- Voluntary life with AD&D for employee, spouse, and child(ren)
- Voluntary long-term disability insurance
- Supplemental Accident and Critical Illness plans
- 401(k) matching program
- Flexible schedules, generous paid time off, plus 8 paid holidays
- Company outings
- Employee Assistance Program
Disclaimer: This job description is not a complete description of responsibility, but reflects the general qualifications, duties and/or responsibilities necessary to perform this position. All candidates who receive a written offer of employment will be required to successfully pass a background check and drug screen. The Company reserves the right to revise the job description as necessary.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement: Our company is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other category protected by law.
Attention Applicants: If you are an individual with a disability and require reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process, please let us know. Likewise, if you are limited in the ability to access or use this online application process and need alternative methods of applying, we will determine an alternate way for you to apply. Please contact our People team at HR@iftww.com or call 800-207-2516 for assistance with an accommodation.
Salary : $80,000 - $90,000