Purchasing and Procurement Manager
Job Description Job Description Summary and Objective: The Purchasing & Procurement Manager will lead the company’s purchasing activities while building and transitioning the function into a more strategic procurement organization. Initially, the role will focus on evaluating current purchasing practices, improving cost control, and implementing systems and processes to drive spend visibility, efficiency, and cost reduction. Over time, the position will expand to encompass the full procurement lifecycle, including strategic sourcing, supplier development, contract management, and long-term cost optimization. This role is critical to supporting the company’s growth, margin improvement, and supply chain resilience. Duties and Responsibilities: Phase 1: Purchasing & Process Foundation (Initial Focus) 1. Manage day-to-day purchasing activities for direct and indirect materials 2. Ensure uninterrupted supply to manufacturing operations 3. Evaluate current purchasing practices, workflows, and controls 4. Identify purchasing inefficiencies and cost-saving opportunities 5. Establish and standardize purchasing policies, approval workflows, and documentation 6. Implement spend-tracking, reporting, and basic analytics to improve cost visibility 7. Work closely with production, engineering, finance, and operations to align purchasing priorities with business needs 8. Improve vendor pricing, payment terms, and lead times through negotiations/consolidation 9. Support inventory management efforts to balance working capital, service levels, and cost 10. Design/implement purchasing processes and controls supporting cost control and efficiency 11. Create dashboards and KPIs related to spending, savings, and supplier performance Phase 2: Possible Transition to Procurement & Strategic Sourcing (Role Evolution) 1. Develop and execute strategic sourcing initiatives across key spending categories 2. Lead supplier selection, RFQs/RFPs, negotiations, and contract development 3. Establish supplier performance metrics (cost, quality, delivery, service) and regular reviews 4. Identify and mitigate supply risk through diversification, dual sourcing, and contingencies 5. Drive cost reduction initiatives through value engineering, should-cost analysis, etc. 6. Partner with leadership in long-term growth, capital projects, and product introductions 7. Build and mature procurement systems, tools, and processes to support scalability 8. Support ERP/purchasing system improvements (item setup, supplier master data, reporting) Minimum Required Qualifications: 1. Bachelor’s degree in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, or related field 2. 5 years of experience in purchasing, procurement, or supply chain in manufacturing setting 3. Experience with transactional purchasing and exposure to strategic sourcing or procurement 4. Proven ability to analyze spend data and identify cost reduction opportunities 5. Experience in negotiating pricing, terms, and contracts with suppliers 6. Working knowledge of ERP systems and purchasing workflows 7. Strong cross-functional communication and collaboration skills 8. Change agent capable of building structures where little exists 9. Ability to balance tactical, hands-on execution with strategic planning Desired or Preferred Qualifications: 1. Experience building or transforming a purchasing/procurement function 2. Familiarity with cost modeling, total cost of ownership, and value analysis 3. Certification such as CPSM, CPIM, CSCP, or CIPS 4. Experience supporting a growing or mid-sized manufacturing company 5. Process-oriented with a continuous improvement approach 6. Strong negotiation and supplier relationship management skills Core Competencies: 1. Humility (lacks ego, team agenda, transparent, trainable, servant orientation) 2. Hungry (extra mile, internally driven, self-starter, excellence, passionate, change agent) 3. People Smart (interpersonal, group dynamics, influential, self-aware, motivating) 4. Competent (knows and can accomplish the task at hand – job, challenges, requirements) 5. Integrity (honest, reliable, transparent, strong character, loyal, righteous) Supervisory Responsibilities: This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities. However, it does require significant and ongoing influencing capabilities while working with company personnel at multiple levels, customers, and outside vendors. Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk, and listen. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, use hands to handle or feel, reach with hands and arms, and to stoop, kneel or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and depth perception. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work Environment: This job operates in a professional office environment. The role routinely uses standard office equipment such as laptop computers, smart phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, presentation equipment, etc. The work environment also includes a reasonable amount of time on the production floor, warehousing, and inventory storage areas. Hours of Work: This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are normally Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Some night and weekend work is required as needed. Working remotely is at the discretion of the immediate supervisor. The role requires phone accessibility 24/7 and emergency situations would dictate that the incumbent is available to always respond. Travel: This position requires from 10% to 20% travel. AAP/EEO Statement: All recruiting, hiring, training, promotion, compensation, and other employment related decisions are provided fairly to all persons on an equal opportunity basis without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Other Duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Company Description Tree Brand Packaging has been a leading manufacturer of custom wood pallets, crates, and packaging products for over 30 years. With eight locations across the Southeast (NC, SC, AL, TN, LA), we serve a wide range of industries, including steel, automotive, telecommunications, material handling, military, aerospace, and import/export. Our innovative design solutions and commitment to exceptional customer service help meet the unique needs of our clients. We aim to build valued partnerships, address supply-chain challenges, and support customers in reducing costs and improving profitability. Company Description Tree Brand Packaging has been a leading manufacturer of custom wood pallets, crates, and packaging products for over 30 years. With eight locations across the Southeast (NC, SC, AL, TN, LA), we serve a wide range of industries, including steel, automotive, telecommunications, material handling, military, aerospace, and import/export. Our innovative design solutions and commitment to exceptional customer service help meet the unique needs of our clients. We aim to build valued partnerships, address supply-chain challenges, and support customers in reducing costs and improving profitability.
