Highlights of the Purchasing Manager Position

Our client is a leader in the Advanced Materials industry, and they’re seeking a candidate with relevant experience for an opportunity as a Purchasing Manager for their Northeast US site which is a stand alone business unit. The successful candidate will have a chance to join a global organization that is going through a company-wide procurement transformation. The right candidate will have the ability to organize and lead a Procurement Department and be able to add structure and process where needed. This person will lead a small team of purchasing professionals, as well as lead the sourcing for some of the of the business unit’s most critical commodities which are unique materials not purchased by other business units. The goal is for this person to bring a strategic vision to the purchasing function and be able to identify long term opportunities within the commodity group they will be leading. This is a progressive manufacturing environment so knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma would be highly valued. The right candidate will possess the intangibles to grow into a greater leadership role within this business unit or elsewhere within the organization.

Company Information

Our client is one of the world’s premier advanced materials products companies spanning several industries including Defense, Energy, Industrial & Aerospace, Consumer Electronics and several others. This company serves leading and emerging technology manufacturers across the globe. Our client company operates from the U.S. and 10 countries around the world. The company shares a mutual culture of innovation and collaboration allowing the varied business units to offer comprehensive and beneficial solutions to their customers. This particular location in the Northeast US is the only site for this business unit and its focus is only specialty metals sold to global manufacturers primarily in the Automotive, Consumer Electronics, Solar and Medical industries. This facility has roughly 200 employees with revenue of $85+ million.

Job Location

Northeast US

Key Responsibilities of Purchasing Manager Position

• Help build the procurement organization, as well as develop the functional aspects of procurement.  They would prefer someone that can wear many hats and be involved in not only the sourcing of the commodities in their group, but also helping to establish structure in a growing department, as well as lead and mentor others.
• This person will be responsible for procuring a variety of commodities including copper based alloys, aluminum, various types of steels, base materials and other Direct Spend commodities that will go into the manufacturing process.  These are unique materials that are not bought at other business units.  Total spend will be $35+ million.
• The goal is for this person to add a strategic vision to the purchasing function and move it from a purely tactical department.  The client would like this person to be able to identify long term opportunities for the commodity group and execute that strategy in collaboration with the Director of Materials and VP of Operations.
• The person will have 4-5 direct reports focused on the Direct and Indirect Spend for this facility.  This person will be tasked with providing leadership to the department, organizing the purchasing function and adding structure to the procurement process where needed.
• This person will be work closely with Operations and will need to be responsive to the raw materials needs of the manufacturing function.  Weekly review of Production Schedule to insure raw material requirements are being met for the products being produced.
• This is a progressive manufacturing environment that utilizes Lean Manufacturing concepts so knowledge of these processes would be highly valued.
• Ability to work effectively with all levels of management. To facilitate autonomously to achieve mutual goals.
• Ability to understand commodity requirements and communicate requirements to suppliers.

Essential Qualifications and/or Requirements

• Dynamic individual that is an outside the box thinker, self starter that requires little supervision/management.  Ability to project a positive and professional image on behalf of the organization.
• Roll up your sleeves, total cost of ownership mentality. Ability to solve problems independently.  Excellent project management skills.
• Strong communicator that is willing to collaborate with all levels of management to meet the needs of the business unit.
• Ideal candidate will have contracting experience and be familiar with developing Terms & Conditions.  Strong negotiator that can not only address the near term needs of the business unit, but also has the vision to understand market conditions and be able to put together long term strategies for the commodity group under their control.
• Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, SAP experience is highly valued.
• Possess solid oral and written communication skills to communicate effectively with suppliers and all levels of staff throughout the organization.

Desired Qualifications

• Previous management experience is desired, as well as someone that has experience with organizing a procurement department, and establishing process.

About the Author:

The Teldar Group is an Executive Search and Recruiting Firm specializing in placing professionals in Procurement, Strategic Sourcing, Purchasing, Logistics and Supply Chain positions.

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