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.