Purchasing Manager

The Purchasing Manager is responsible for leading the day to day procurement activities that support our coatings manufacturing operations. This role ensures the timely and cost effective supply of raw materials, packaging, equipment, and indirect materials needed to meet production schedules and customer commitments.

Working closely with Operations, Planning, Quality, R&D, Finance, and suppliers the Purchasing Manager will drive supply continuity, cost management, process improvements, and supplier performance while leading and developing the purchasing team. This role is an on-site position, located at the Sheboygan, WI headquarters.

What You'll Do

Procurement & Supply Management

• Manage purchasing operations, including purchase orders, order confirmations, expediting, and issue resolution.
• Ensure uninterrupted availability of raw materials, packaging, and indirect materials.
• Anticipate and mitigate supply risks, shortages, and lead-time challenges.
• Partner with Operations and Planning to align procurement with production and demand requirements.
• Maintain accurate ERP purchasing data, including pricing, lead times, and supplier information.
• Resolve invoice, receiving, and quality discrepancies with cross-functional teams.

Supplier Management & Strategic Sourcing

• Lead sourcing activities, including supplier evaluations, RFQs, and quote analysis.
• Negotiate pricing, contracts, and supply agreements to improve value and reliability.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships.
• Monitor supplier performance and drive corrective actions when needed.
• Support supplier consolidation, alternate sourcing, and risk mitigation efforts.
• Collaborate with R&D and Quality to qualify new materials and suppliers.

Inventory & Cost Management

• Partner with Planning and Inventory teams to establish inventory targets and replenishment strategies.
• Balance material availability with inventory and working capital objectives.
• Support inventory accuracy and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Track purchasing metrics, cost savings, and purchase price variance (PPV).
• Identify and execute cost reduction opportunities.

Leadership & Continuous Improvement

• Lead, coach, and develop the purchasing team. This role has two direct reports.
• Establish clear goals and performance expectations.
• Improve procurement processes, controls, and ERP data quality.
• Standardize purchasing procedures and documentation.
• Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• 7+ years of purchasing, procurement, or supply chain experience.
• Experience in coatings, chemicals, paints, adhesives, specialty materials, or a related manufacturing enviornment.
• Proven success negotiating supplier agreements and managing supplier relationships.
• Experience working with ERP systems and procurement analytic tools.
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem solving skills.

Preferred

• Prior leadership experience.
• Knowledge of raw materials used in coatings or chemical manufacturing.
• Professional certifications such as CPSM, CPIM, CSCP, or similar.