Purchasing Lead

Purchasing Leader (43248)

Our client is an organization in the Waukesha area looking for a Purchasing Leader. Our client is seeking an experienced procurement professional to oversee purchasing activities, strengthen supplier relationships, and improve inventory management across multiple locations. This position offers the opportunity to take ownership of purchasing strategies, implement more efficient processes, and identify opportunities for cost savings. The ideal candidate is a proactive, analytical professional who enjoys improving operations, negotiating with vendors, and developing purchasing practices that support long-term business growth.

The Purchasing Leader will be responsible for, but not limited to, the following:

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversee purchasing activities across multiple locations to ensure consistent processes and efficient procurement operations.
• Develop and implement purchasing strategies that support operational needs, cost management, and inventory availability.
• Evaluate existing supplier relationships and identify opportunities to consolidate purchasing activity and improve pricing.
• Negotiate vendor agreements, pricing structures, payment terms, and delivery schedules to maximize purchasing value.
• Establish standardized procurement practices to improve consistency and accountability across locations.
• Partner with operational leaders to anticipate material requirements and coordinate purchasing decisions.
• Develop proactive purchasing plans based on inventory trends, business demand, and anticipated operational needs.
• Monitor inventory levels and identify opportunities to improve stock availability while minimizing excess inventory.
• Utilize purchasing and inventory management systems to improve reporting, tracking, and overall visibility.
• Ensure purchase orders and related transactions are entered accurately and assigned appropriate classifications within the system.
• Review purchasing data to identify cost-saving opportunities, supplier trends, and areas for process improvement.
• Evaluate supplier performance related to pricing, quality, responsiveness, and delivery reliability.
• Collaborate with internal departments to resolve purchasing discrepancies and address supply challenges.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with vendors and key business partners.
• Support the implementation and optimization of new purchasing and inventory management technology.
• Develop procedures and reporting tools to strengthen purchasing controls and operational efficiency.
• Monitor purchasing activity across locations to ensure alignment with established business objectives.
• Provide guidance and direction regarding procurement best practices and purchasing-related decisions.
• Visit additional company locations periodically to support purchasing initiatives, inventory reviews, and operational coordination.
• Lead special projects focused on procurement improvements, inventory optimization, and cost reduction.

The Purchasing Leader will possess the following:

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• 5–10 years of experience in purchasing, procurement, supply chain, or a related field.
• Strong understanding of purchasing processes, supplier management, and inventory control.
• Demonstrated experience negotiating vendor pricing, contracts, and purchasing terms.
• Experience coordinating procurement activities across multiple departments or business locations preferred.
• Previous experience leading purchasing processes, projects, or operational improvements preferred.
• Formal people management experience is a plus but not required.
• Proven ability to evaluate purchasing activity and identify opportunities for cost savings and process efficiencies.
• Experience developing purchasing plans and anticipating future inventory or material requirements.
• Familiarity with inventory management systems, purchasing software, or ERP/MIS platforms.
• Ability to analyze purchasing data, supplier performance, and inventory trends to support business decisions.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills with the ability to build productive relationships with vendors and internal stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with a proactive approach to resolving procurement challenges.
• Experience establishing or improving purchasing procedures and internal controls.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other business applications.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and drive purchasing improvements with minimal oversight.
• Comfortable traveling occasionally between company locations as business needs require.
• Adaptable and comfortable working in an environment where purchasing processes and systems are evolving.
• Strong leadership potential with an interest in taking on broader responsibilities as the organization grows.
• Results-oriented mindset with a focus on continuous improvement, cost management, and long-term operational success.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The compensation philosophy reflects the Company's reasonable expectation at the time of posting. Actual compensation is influenced by a variety of factors including, but not limited to, skills, experience level, and overall qualifications. This role may also be eligible to participate in company-sponsored benefits, subject to the rules governing those programs.