Purchasing Manager

The Plant Company (TPC) is a fast-growing, innovative horticultural business operating in an expanded 10-acre facility. With the completion of Phase 2, we’ve added a state-of-the-art greenhouse and production barn—both purpose-built for the controlled-environment, sustainable production of premium tropical foliage.

The ideal candidate will play a key role in driving our continued growth and daily success as part of the nationally recognized Proven Winners® leafjoy® brand. We’re proud of our inclusive, growth-oriented culture and operate on EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System), which shapes how we solve problems, lead teams, and scale effectively. As a valued team member, you’ll have the opportunity to make a direct impact, contribute your perspective, and grow with a company that’s expanding rapidly and is nationally recognized.

We believe that “together we grow stronger”, which applies to employees, vendors and of course customers. The four core values that identify this company are:

• Caring About People, Plants, and Process
• Growth Oriented
• Customer First
• "Can Do" Attitude

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Purchasing Manager is responsible for developing and executing procurement strategies that ensure the timely and cost-effective acquisition of materials, supplies, and services required to support company operations. This role partners closely with Sales, Operations, Production Planning, and Finance to align purchasing activities with demand forecasts, inventory objectives, and business goals.

The Purchasing Manager is responsible for supplier performance, inventory optimization, procurement compliance, and the leadership and development of the purchasing team. Success in this role means maintaining material availability while optimizing inventory levels, strengthening supplier relationships, supporting operational efficiency, and ensuring procurement activities align with company growth objectives.

The Plant Company is a collaborative organization in which team members work together to achieve company goals. There may be times when support is needed outside of primary responsibilities.

MANAGER RESPONSIBILITIES:

This position may involve any of the following:

• Lead, coach, develop, and manage members of the purchasing team
• Execute department goals, priorities, and performance expectations
• Conduct timely performance evaluations and provide ongoing coaching and feedback
• Manage employee performance, corrective action, and termination decisions in accordance with company policy
• Monitor department workload, staffing needs, and resource allocation
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement
• Monitor and report purchasing efficiencies, inventory performance, and departmental metrics

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Purchasing & Procurement

• Collaborate with Sales, Operations, and Production Planning teams as part of the SIOP process to translate forecast demand and determine hard goods requirements
• Translate sales forecasts and production plans into procurement strategies that ensure material availability, optimize inventory levels, and support customer fulfillment objectives
• Assess supplier lead times, transportation capacity, and freight availability to ensure timely procurement and uninterrupted operations
• Oversee purchasing activities including purchase order management, supplier performance, contract administration, and procurement compliance
• Develop, implement, and maintain purchasing policies, procedures, and controls
• Resolve supplier performance issues, contract disputes, and service concerns
• Maintain purchasing systems, records, and documentation to support operational and compliance requirements
• Serve as the company representative in supplier negotiations

Hard Goods & Inventory Management

• Manage procurement and inventory planning for hard goods including production plastics, shipping material, soil, finished plant upgrades, tags, grow cones, stakes, clips, boxes, and other operational materials
• Manage vendor credits and ensure compliance with company credit policies and appropriate allocation within Business Central
• Monitor inventory levels and purchasing performance to support operational efficiency and working capital objectives

Grower & General Supplies

• • Ensures accurate supply levels and purchasing chemicals, fertilizer, biologicals (BCAs), and general grower supplies
  • Collaborates with other departments and leadership to identify and develop needs and requirements for equipment, materials, products, and acceptable substitutions for purchasing and sourcing
  • Ensures accurate levels of shipping supplies
  • Assist with fulfilling other miscellaneous or non-inventory goods as needed
  • Performs other duties as assigned

REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with proven negotiation skills
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong supervisory and leadership skills with the ability to effectively train others
• Ability to prioritize tasks and to delegate them when appropriate
• Understanding of business and management principles
• Thorough understanding of materials and supplies used in the company
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software
• Business Central (BC) Subject Matter Expert (SME)

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, Operations Management, or related field preferred
• Minimum of five (5) years of purchasing, procurement, supply chain, or inventory management experience
• Experience participating in SIOP, demand planning, or inventory management processes preferred
• Experience managing supplier relationships and contract negotiations required
• Experience in manufacturing, agriculture, greenhouse, nursery, or consumer products environments preferred

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to sit, stand, and work on a computer for extended periods
• Ability to travel as needed for customer visits, meetings, and trade shows
• Ability to occasionally lift and transport materials up to 25 pounds