Senior Purchasing Manager

Overview of Job Description:

The Senior Purchasing Manager is responsible for leading and executing the organization’s purchasing function to achieve service, inventory, and cost objectives. This role combines strategic oversight with hands-on execution, serving as a player-coach who actively supports the purchasing team when needed.

This individual applies a comprehensive knowledge of purchasing principles and supply chain practices to manage vendor relationships, ensure quality standards, and control costs, while leading a team and administering established policies and procedures

.
Specific Duties and Responsibilitie

s:
Leadership & Team Managem

• entLead, direct, and develop a team of buyers, with full authority for personnel decisi
• onsFoster a high-performance, accountable culture focused on execution, responsiveness, and continuous improvem
• entProvide day-to-day coaching, training, and hands-on support to team memb
• ersStep in to directly manage purchasing activities during high-volume periods, team absences, or complex iss

ues
Hands-On Purchasing & Execu

• tionPerform and oversee complex purchasing tasks following established processes and poli
• ciesActively participate in purchasing activities such as placing orders, expediting shipments, resolving shortages, and addressing vendor is
• suesEnsure timely and accurate procurement aligned with forecast and inventory p
• lansSupport buyers in troubleshooting supply chain challenges and escalat

ions
Vendor Management & Negoti

• ationIdentify, evaluate, select, and negotiate with vendors to maximize quality while controlling
• costsDevelop and maintain strong vendor relationships to ensure reliability and service perfor
• manceAddress and resolve vendor issues related to quality, delivery, shipping, and invo
• icingContinuously assess supplier performance and identify opportunities for improvement or cost sa

vings
Procurement Processes & Comp

• lianceDevelop and manage purchasing procedures, including RFP, RFQ, bid processes, purchase orders, and requis
• itionsEnsure procurement activities meet quality standards while minimizing tota
• l costAdminister established purchasing policies and ensure compliance with company guid
• elinesPartner with Compliance and Quality Assurance teams in vendor approval and qualification pro

cesses
Cross-Functional Collab

• orationWork closely with Design, Product Development, Sales, Inventory Planning, and Warehous
• e teamsSupport internal stakeholders in identifying sourcing solutions aligned with busines
• s needsCollaborate with Inventory Management to ensure accurate forecasting and inventory p
• lanningEnsure alignment between purchasing execution and broader operationa

l goals
Process Improvement & Operational O

• versightEvaluate and improve purchasing processes to increase efficiency, accuracy, and sca
• labilityAnalyze purchasing data, vendor performance, and inventory trends to drive impr
• ovementsPrimarily administer established policies and procedures while contributing to process enhancements and procedural
• changesSupport departmental budgeting and provide input into strategic planning ini

tiatives
Knowledge/Skills/Education/Ex

perience:
Skills & Co

• mpetenciesComprehensive knowledge of purchasing, sourcing, and supply chain
• principlesProven ability to lead while remaining hands-on in
• executionStrong analytical, problem-solving, and negotiat
• ion skillsDetail-oriented with the ability to manage complex tasks and
• prioritiesExcellent communication and interperso
• nal skillsAdvanced proficiency in MS Excel and Microsoft Of

fice tools
Education &

• ExperienceBachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Operations, or related fiel
• d preferred7 years of purchasing experience, preferably in manufacturing, consumer goods, or gift
• industriesDemonstrated experience managing people while actively handling purchasing respo
• nsibilitiesGlobal sourcing experi
• ence a plusFood industry experi

ence a plus
Key Role

• ExpectationsFunctions as a working manager, not solely
• a delegatorBalances tactical execution with leadership resp
• onsibilitiesProvides direct, hands-on support to ensure team success and continuity o
• f operationsDrives both operational excellence and continuous