Director of Procurement

Position Overview

The Director of Procurement plays a critical leadership role in managing the procurement operations at our manufacturing site, acting as a key member of the Site Leadership Team. This is an active leadership position requiring hands-on involvement with daily purchasing, supplier relationship management, resolving issues, and driving continuous improvement initiatives. The successful candidate will fully lead and grow the site purchasing team with a focus on optimizing engineering costs, securing a reliable supply chain, exercising strict cost controls, and fostering operational excellence to improve overall plant performance. Direct engagement with the shop floor, collaboration with operations, and problem-solving at the ground level are essential aspects of this role.

The role oversees 4 to 8 buyers and purchasing professionals, managing an annual procurement budget of approximately $20 million. The Procurement Director supports production continuity, ensures cost competitiveness, and drives supplier performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Recruit, hire, onboard and develop purchasing personnel to meet present and future site demands.
• Establish clear goals, KPIs, and performance standards aligned with site objectives and corporate purchasing strategies.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations, coaching, and create individual development plans.
• Develop succession plans to maintain organizational capability and continuity in the purchasing department.
• Cultivate an environment of accountability, teamwork, safety, and ongoing improvement.
• Maintain a visible leadership presence on the shop floor and act as a trusted business partner within the Site Leadership Team.
• Manage all daily purchasing operations to support manufacturing and ensure on-time delivery.
• Create and implement strategic sourcing plans that align with site and national purchasing strategies.
• Identify, assess, audit, and develop supplier relationships to enhance competitiveness, quality, and capacity.
• Negotiate and maintain long-term supply contracts and framework agreements.
• Oversee procurement for raw materials (including steel, aluminum, and other metals), laser cutting, fabrication, welding, metal forming services, machining and industrial subcontracting, commercial off-the-shelf components, and both recurring production and project-based items.
• Lead supplier negotiations for ongoing production and new program launches.
• Promote cost reduction, higher productivity, and value-engineering efforts.
• Track supplier performance metrics such as cost, quality, delivery reliability, responsiveness, and capacity.
• Identify and mitigate supply risks with dual-sourcing and other contingency approaches.
• Collaborate closely with Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Planning, and Finance departments at the site level.
• Work with the USA Purchasing Director to implement purchasing policies, tools, and best practices.
• Participate in national sourcing initiatives and continuous improvement projects.

Qualifications

• Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in engineering, industrial engineering, or equivalent experience gained through hands-on work.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in manufacturing or industrial procurement environments.
• At least 5 years leading and developing purchasing teams successfully.
• In-depth knowledge of direct materials procurement, metals sourcing, and industrial subcontracting.
• Proven leadership skills in hiring, managing performance, and succession planning.
• Operationally engaged leadership with strong presence on the plant floor.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and stakeholder engagement capabilities.
• Solid understanding of metal-mechanical manufacturing processes.
• Data-driven, structured thinker focused on achieving measurable results.
• Adaptability to working within matrix organizational structures.
• Fluency in English and capability to travel occasionally within the United States.

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive base salary commensurate with experience.
• Performance-based bonus opportunity.
• Comprehensive benefits package including 401(k) plan with 3% matching.
• Dental, health, and vision insurance coverage.
• Life insurance and employee assistance programs.
• Paid parental leave and time off.
• Tuition reimbursement.

Work Location

This position requires in-person presence at the Springfield, Ohio manufacturing site.