Purchasing Materials Manager
The Opportunity
The Purchasing Materials Manager is responsible for ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and optimization of inventory across the manufacturing operation. This role leads all purchasing activities, including physical inventories, inventory reconciliation, and reporting of discrepancies. The Purchasing Materials Manager partners closely with Operations, Production, Supply Chain, Purchasing, Finance, and Shipping teams to ensure accurate inventory transactions, efficient material flow, and strong internal controls.
This leader develops and maintains purchasing management processes that support operational excellence, customer service, financial accuracy, and continuous improvement. The role requires strong system expertise, analytical capability, and the ability to lead a team and inventory specialists in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Safety is the foundation of all activities within this role. The Purchasing Materials Manager promotes safe work practices, compliance with company policies, and a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
Maintain world-class purchasing standards through disciplined inventory processes.
Investigate, reconcile, and resolve discrepancies in a timely manner.
Perform root cause analysis on inventory variances and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
Ensure accurate inventory transactions related to receiving, production consumption, scrap, transfers, adjustments, and shipping activities.
Monitor inventory integrity across raw materials, work-in-process (WIP), finished goods, packaging, and MRO inventory.
Develop and maintain inventory performance metrics, including:
Purchasing
Materials Management
Inventory assistance
Inventory assistance
Material variances
Provide regular reporting and analysis to plant leadership, operations, finance, and plant and corporate teams.
Identify trends, risks, and opportunities through data analysis and recommend improvement actions.
Team Leadership
Establish clear expectations, accountability, and purchasing performance standards.
Train employees on processes, transaction accuracy, and system requirements.
Foster a culture of ownership, attention to detail, continuous learning, and operational excellence.
Purchasing Systems & Process Management
Serve as the site subject matter expert for purchasing processes within the system.
Ensure proper transaction flow and data integrity throughout the manufacturing process.
Partner with IT, Finance, and Supply Chain teams to optimize system functionality and inventory controls.
Support implementations, upgrades, testing, and process improvements as needed.
Develop and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) related to purchasing management.
Continuous Improvement
Lead initiatives to improve purchasing accuracy, material flow, transaction discipline, and process efficiency.
Utilize Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies to eliminate waste and reduce errors.
Support plant initiatives related to productivity, cost reduction, and operational excellence.
Participate in cross-functional projects to improve supply chain and manufacturing performance.
Compliance & Internal Controls
Ensure compliance with company policies, accounting standards, audit requirements, and inventory control procedures.
Support internal and external audits by providing accurate documentation and reporting.
Maintain strong controls to minimize inventory loss, shrinkage, and financial risk.
Education
Bachelor’s degree, Operations Management, Business, Accounting, Logistics, or related field preferred.
Equivalent combination of education and manufacturing experience may be considered.
Experience
5+ years of warehouse, supply chain, or manufacturing experience.
2+ years of leadership experience managing inventory teams or cycle counting functions.
Experience in a manufacturing environment required.
Experience with ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, JD Edwards, Infor, Epicor, or similar systems required.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Strong understanding of manufacturing inventory flows, material transactions, and inventory accounting principles.
Advanced system knowledge and transaction management capability.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and root cause investigation skills.
High attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy.
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and reporting tools.
Ability to interpret data and communicate findings effectively.
Strong organizational and project management skills.
Effective leadership, coaching, and team development capabilities.
Ability to influence and collaborate across multiple functions.
Health & Welfare
Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans for employees and dependents
Health care & dependent flexible spending plans
Free Life and AD&D coverage with supplemental coverage options
Employee assistance programs focused on mental, physical and financial health Financial Wellbeing
Competitive compensation
Bonus opportunities
Generous 401(k) plan
Time Off
Paid time off, including vacation, volunteer time off, sick leave, and paid holidays.
Community & Personal Development
Donation matching and time off to volunteer
Educational reimbursement