What are the responsibilities and job description for the Purchasing Supervisor position at Rite-Hite?
At Rite-Hite, your work makes an impact. As the global leader in loading dock and door equipment, we design and deliver solutions that keep our customers safe, secure, and productive. Here, you’ll find innovation, stability, and the chance to grow your career as part of a team that’s always looking ahead.
Rite-Hite is seeking a Purchasing Supervisor to join our team at our Dubuque, IA manufacturing facility. In this role, you will lead site-level purchasing, including sourcing strategies, supplier management, purchasing execution, and team performance. You will oversee a team of Buyers and Senior Buyers while partnering with Global Supply Chain, Engineering, and Operations to ensure material availability, supply continuity, and cost competitiveness while balancing cost, quality, and service objectives.
What You’ll Do
Safety Responsibilities
Required Qualifications
This role is based in a manufacturing plant and includes office-based work, with regular interaction with manufacturing teams and suppliers. The position involves frequent computer use, periods of sitting, and regular communication with others. Employees may be required to stand, walk, bend, stoop, or reach, and occasionally lift up to 25 pounds. Occasional travel may be required.
Employees working in production areas must follow all site-specific safety requirements, including the use of appropriate PPE, such as safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, and safety footwear.
This job description does not necessarily include all responsibilities associated with the position. Duties and requirements may change at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
What We Offer
At Rite-Hite, we take care of our people – because when you’re supported, you can do your best work. Our benefits are designed to support your health, your future and your life outside of work:
Rite-Hite is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under federal, state, or local law. In accordance with VEVRAA, we are committed to providing equal employment opportunities for protected veterans. We are also committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace for the safety of our employees and customers.
Rite-Hite is seeking a Purchasing Supervisor to join our team at our Dubuque, IA manufacturing facility. In this role, you will lead site-level purchasing, including sourcing strategies, supplier management, purchasing execution, and team performance. You will oversee a team of Buyers and Senior Buyers while partnering with Global Supply Chain, Engineering, and Operations to ensure material availability, supply continuity, and cost competitiveness while balancing cost, quality, and service objectives.
What You’ll Do
Safety Responsibilities
- Promote a culture of safety by following Company and OSHA policies and procedures.
- Properly use required personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Promptly report hazards, near misses, and incidents.
- Lead, develop, and manage a team of Buyers and/or Senior Buyers by setting priorities, coaching team members, and driving performance.
- Develop and execute site-level sourcing strategies to support supply continuity, cost competitiveness, and supplier performance.
- Build and maintain strategic supplier relationships, serving as the primary site-level contact for key suppliers.
- Lead supplier selection, pricing, and contract negotiations, including approval of site-level agreements.
- Monitor supplier performance through scorecards, delivery and quality metrics, and corrective action plans.
- Develop and manage inventory and replenishment strategies using demand forecasts and planning inputs to balance material availability, cost, and working capital.
- Align sourcing strategies with production requirements and capacity plans to ensure material availability.
- Identify and mitigate supply chain risks, including single-source dependencies, capacity constraints, and potential disruptions.
- Drive site-level cost performance through savings initiatives, cost reduction programs, and total cost of ownership improvements.
- Partner with Production, Engineering, and Global Supply Chain to align purchasing strategies with business and technical needs.
- Support new product development (NPD) through supplier selection, cost modeling, and supply readiness planning.
- Establish and continuously improve purchasing processes, systems, and governance to drive consistency, efficiency, and compliance.
- Maintain accurate purchasing, supplier, and planning data to support effective replenishment and decision-making.
- Serve as the escalation point for complex supplier and purchasing issues, guiding resolution and decision-making.
- Monitor key performance metrics, including cost, supplier lead times, and supplier performance.
- Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives across sourcing, supplier management, and purchasing operations.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
- At least 3 years of progressive purchasing or supply chain experience in a manufacturing environment.
- Strong supplier negotiation and contract management skills.
- Experience with sourcing strategies and supplier performance management.
- Understanding of inventory management and replenishment models, including vendor-managed inventory (VMI).
- Working knowledge of ERP/MRP systems; JD Edwards experience preferred.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to influence and collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders.
- Experience leading, coaching, or mentoring others.
- Experience leading procurement in a manufacturing environment.
- Experience supporting new product development and sourcing strategy.
- Advanced financial and cost analysis skills.
- Experience leading formal cost reduction programs.
- APICS (CPIM or CSCP), CPSM, or a similar certification or relevant coursework.
- Ability to meet customer site access and safety requirements, where applicable.
- Ability to successfully pass a background check.
- Eligibility to work in the United States.
This role is based in a manufacturing plant and includes office-based work, with regular interaction with manufacturing teams and suppliers. The position involves frequent computer use, periods of sitting, and regular communication with others. Employees may be required to stand, walk, bend, stoop, or reach, and occasionally lift up to 25 pounds. Occasional travel may be required.
Employees working in production areas must follow all site-specific safety requirements, including the use of appropriate PPE, such as safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, and safety footwear.
This job description does not necessarily include all responsibilities associated with the position. Duties and requirements may change at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
What We Offer
At Rite-Hite, we take care of our people – because when you’re supported, you can do your best work. Our benefits are designed to support your health, your future and your life outside of work:
- Health & Well-being: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus life and disability insurance. A robust well-being program with an opportunity to receive an extra day off and more.
- Financial Security: A strong retirement savings program with 401(k), company match, and profit sharing.
- Time for You: Paid holidays, vacation time, and personal/sick days each year.
Rite-Hite is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under federal, state, or local law. In accordance with VEVRAA, we are committed to providing equal employment opportunities for protected veterans. We are also committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace for the safety of our employees and customers.