Procurement Manager

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Sourcing & Procurement

• Develop and implement procurement strategies for raw materials, including graphite feedstocks, petroleum coke, pitch, additives, packaging materials, and indirect supplies.
• Identify, evaluate, qualify, and maintain relationships with suppliers and service providers.
• Lead supplier bidding, RFQ, RFP, and contract negotiation processes.
• Analyze market trends, pricing, supply conditions, and industry developments to support sourcing decisions.
• Establish long-term supply agreements that balance cost, quality, delivery, and risk mitigation.

Supplier Management

• Manage supplier performance using key performance indicators (KPIs) related to quality, cost, delivery, responsiveness, and compliance.
• Conduct regular supplier reviews and audits.
• Develop contingency plans and alternate sourcing strategies to reduce supply chain risk.
• Resolve supplier-related quality and delivery issues in collaboration with Quality and Operations teams.

Inventory & Production Support

• Collaborate with Production Planning and Operations to ensure uninterrupted material availability.
• Monitor inventory levels and purchasing activities to maintain optimal stock while minimizing carrying costs.
• Support maintenance and capital projects through the procurement of equipment, spare parts, and services.
• Coordinate procurement activities for plant shutdowns, turnarounds, and major projects.

Cost Management

• Identify and implement cost-reduction and value-improvement initiatives.
• Negotiate favorable pricing, payment terms, and contractual agreements.
• Monitor spending trends and procurement metrics.
• Support annual budgeting and forecasting processes.

Compliance & Systems Management

• Ensure compliance with company policies, ethical sourcing standards, environmental regulations, and applicable legal requirements.
• Maintain accurate procurement records and documentation.
• Utilize ERP/MRP systems to manage purchasing activities, supplier information, and inventory data.
• Support internal and external audits related to procurement activities.

Leadership

• Lead and develop purchasing personnel and procurement processes.
• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
• Provide regular reporting on procurement performance and strategic initiatives.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, Operations Management, or related field.
• Minimum 5-8 years of progressive procurement, purchasing, or supply chain experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Minimum 3 years of leadership or supervisory experience.
• Experience negotiating contracts and managing strategic supplier relationships.
• Strong understanding of inventory control, MRP/ERP systems, and manufacturing operations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in graphite, carbon products, metals, chemicals, mining, refractory, or heavy industrial manufacturing.
• Professional certification such as CPSM, CPM, CSCP, or APICS certification.
• Experience with SAP, Oracle, JD Edwards, Microsoft Dynamics, or similar ERP platforms.
• Knowledge of commodity markets and industrial raw material sourcing.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong negotiation and contract management skills.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to assess and mitigate supply chain risks.
• Strong financial acumen and cost management capabilities.
• Effective project management and organizational skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to build productive relationships across all levels of the organization.
• Data-driven decision-making and reporting skills.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Material cost savings and cost avoidance.
• Supplier on-time delivery performance.
• Inventory turnover and inventory accuracy.
• Procurement cycle time.
• Supply continuity and production support.
• Supplier quality performance.
• Contract compliance.
• Working capital improvement.

Working Conditions

• Manufacturing plant environment with periodic exposure to industrial equipment, dust, noise, and varying temperatures.
• Occasional travel to supplier sites, conferences, and company locations.
• Ability to work extended hours as necessary to support operational requirements and supply interruptions.