Are you an experienced procurement leader looking to help shape and optimize a growing manufacturing organization? We are seeking an Assistant Procurement Manager to oversee procurement planning activities, strengthen supplier relationships, enhance inventory management, and support continuous improvement across operations. This role plays a key part in driving efficiency, ensuring material readiness, and supporting cross‑functional teams in meeting production and quality goals.
About the Role
The Assistant Procurement Manager is responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating procurement activities to achieve optimal efficiency, material availability, and alignment with organizational goals. This role ensures effective supplier management, supports operational performance, and drives process improvements related to quality, reliability, waste reduction, and safety.
Key Responsibilities
General
- Ensure full compliance with environmental, health, safety, and quality standards (including ISO).
- Follow and maintain ISO-related procedures within assigned responsibilities.
- Champion continuous improvement and support an innovation‑focused team culture.
- Work onsite to collaborate with leadership, support production, and participate in leadership meetings.
- Prepare reports on procurement planning activities, including supplier or material issues.
- Perform additional duties as assigned.
Procurement & Supplier Management
- Communicate procurement risks or disruptions to leadership and recommend solutions.
- Build and maintain positive supplier relationships to support strong negotiation outcomes.
- Support contract negotiation, pricing analysis, quality compliance, and delivery expectations.
- Evaluate supplier bids, award contracts, and verify accuracy of terms and delivery schedules.
- Analyze and negotiate pricing for operating supplies and raw materials.
- Maintain logistics coordination for raw materials.
- Support development, monitoring, and reporting of supplier performance metrics.
- Collaborate with Manufacturing, Technical, Sales, Quality, R&D, Finance, and Planning teams to resolve material issues.
- Participate in procurement and production planning committees.
- Support ERP and pre‑production system optimization projects.
- Assist with budgeting for procurement planning functions.
- Analyze sales forecasts and align material plans with production schedules.
Inventory & Material Management
- Analyze and report on raw material and packaging inventory to ensure optimal stock levels.
- Maintain procedures to manage inventory based on forecasts, production schedules, and stock requirements.
- Develop and maintain vendor-managed inventory programs.
- Provide suppliers with visibility into projected material needs.
- Review and resolve issues related to defective or non‑conforming materials.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Accounting, Supply Chain, or related field.
- 3–5 years of procurement or supply chain experience.
- 1+ year of supervisory experience.
- 3+ years working in a manufacturing environment.
- Strong understanding of procurement processes, contract principles, and supplier negotiations.
- Analytical, problem‑solving, and organizational strengths.
- Knowledge of import/export regulations and Customs requirements preferred.
- Proficiency with ERP (SAP) systems and strong IT/data competency.
- Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint or equivalent tools.
- Ability to travel as required.
- Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to collaborate, negotiate, and respond positively to feedback.
Physical Requirements
- Frequent sitting/standing, walking, talking, and hearing.
- Occasional use of hands for handling tools or equipment; reaching with arms.
- Rare climbing, balancing, kneeling, crouching, or crawling.
- Ability to lift up to 55 lbs on occasion.
- Must have close, distance, peripheral, and color vision with the ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment
- Combination of office and manufacturing plant environments.
- Exposure to temperature changes, dust, noise, fumes, and chemicals in plant areas.
- Use of personal protective equipment required in production areas.
- Office environment typically includes lower noise levels.
Join Our Team
If you're motivated to lead procurement operations, optimize performance, and drive supply chain excellence within a dynamic manufacturing setting, we want to hear from you. Apply today to be part of a forward‑thinking organization committed to continuous improvement, quality, and operational success.
