Manager Purchasing

Sonepar USA - La Vergne, TN

Full-time - Mid Level

La Vergne, TN

501-1,000 employees

Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods

About the position

As the Purchasing Manager at Crawford Electric Supply, you will play a pivotal role in developing and implementing purchasing department policies and procedures that guide buyers and branch personnel. Your responsibilities will include maintaining appropriate department records and participating in the Request for Proposal (RFP) process to recommend or approve the selection of major vendors. You will assess vendor capabilities and evaluate their performance using an established scorecard method, ensuring that Crawford partners with the best suppliers in the industry. In this position, you will establish and nurture professional relationships with vendors, manufacturers, and agents, negotiating terms of major vendor contracts or orders. You will also be responsible for recommending or approving significant purchases of materials, balancing cash flow considerations with potential price savings. Your role will require you to review and approve purchasing documents and agreements, manage inventory effectively, and participate in the Product Line Consolidation process. You will work closely with branch managers and the management team to develop trust and solid working relationships, which are essential for achieving common goals and strategic planning. Understanding the logistics of products within each branch location will be crucial, as you will evaluate and recommend preferred methods of handling and delivery, as well as assess carrying costs for potential company savings. Additionally, you will provide summary reports and recommendations to management, represent the purchasing team at internal management meetings, and execute decisions and action items resulting from these meetings. Your role will also involve traveling to attend purchasing meetings and industry-related functions, such as NAED and other vendor events, as requested by the President. Continuous learning and education will be encouraged to enhance your purchasing, negotiation, and communication skills, ensuring that you remain at the forefront of industry developments.

Responsibilities

• Develop purchasing department policies and procedures for buyers and other branch personnel to follow.
• Assure appropriate department records are maintained.
• Participate in RFP process to recommend or approve selection of major vendors.
• Assess vendor capabilities and evaluate vendor performance through established 'scorecard' method.
• Establish and develop professional relationships with vendors, manufacturers and agents.
• Negotiate terms of major vendor contracts or orders.
• Recommend or approve major purchases of materials based on anticipated changes in pricing or unusual availability situations.
• Balance cash flow considerations with potential price savings.
• Review and approve purchasing documents and agreements.
• Responsible for Inventory Management.
• Participate in Product Line Consolidation process.
• Review branch product lines and secure competitive pricing.
• Establish policies that allow us to maintain minimum inventory levels while avoiding shortages of necessary materials to service our customers.
• Responsible for achieving inventory ratios and goals.
• Establish good rapport with branch managers and management team to develop trust and solid working relationships to accomplish common goals and strategic planning.
• Understand logistics of products within each branch location.
• Evaluate and recommend preferred methods of handling and delivery methods.
• Evaluate preferred carrying costs for potential company savings.
• Provide summary reports and recommendations to management.
• Perform other duties, assigned projects and job responsibilities as requested by President, Management & Leadership.
• Represent team at internal management meetings, and responsible for executing decisions and action items as a result of these meetings.
• Responsible for traveling and attending purchasing meetings and complying with all reporting requests and requirements pertaining to purchasing and inventory.
• Attend industry related functions, such as NAED and other vendor events as requested by President.
• Spearhead investigations for technology improvement that helps departmental productivity gains.
• Continuous learning and education to build purchasing, negotiation and communication skills.

Requirements

• Extensive knowledge of electrical products and distribution industry.
• At least 5 years buying experience, with a minimum of 2 years as a supervisor of a purchasing department or supervising other personnel.
• Four year college degree preferred with a minimum of 2-year associates degree or equivalent from a college or technical school.
• Minimum of 4 years of industry related experience, such as product, sales, purchasing, project or operations.
• Proven negotiating and contract writing skills.
• Highly effective communicator, both verbal and written, and advanced management or supervisory experience.

Nice-to-haves

• Eclipse experience preferred.

Benefits

• 401K Matching
• Competitive Medical Plans (medical, dental, and vision)
• Paid Vacation/Sick time
• Paid Holidays
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Health and Dependent Care)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Discounts
• Long term and Short term disability
• Life Insurance
• Ample opportunities to learn and grow.