Purchasing Manager in St Petersburg, Florida at RAJE Technology, LLC

Plasma-Therm is a leading provider of advanced processing equipment and solutions, specializing in semiconductor manufacturing.

At Plasma-Therm, we’ve been innovating plasma processing technologies since 1974.

We design and build easy-to-use wafer processing platforms for standard and advanced processes used in microelectronics manufacturing and R&D applications. Our platforms are the centerpiece of our application solutions and cover a wide variety of process steps including etch, deposition, material modification, and die singulation. In addition, our platforms are configurable to help you get the equipment and features you need.

Since the very beginning, we’ve focused on developing plasma-based technologies and equipment processing tools that deliver excellent value. That is our calling card. We grew organically through acquisitions and strategic partnerships so we could offer broader solutions. Today, we are a solid, reliable, and trusted partner. From 300mm on down the line, you get proven system solutions at a competitive price/value equation, with process knowledge and service attention that will exceed your expectations.

We are seeking an experienced Purchasing Manager to lead and strengthen our purchasing and supplier management function within a complex manufacturing environment. This role will be responsible for developing purchasing strategies, managing supplier relationships, ensuring material availability, improving supplier performance, and driving cost, quality, and delivery improvements.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on supply chain professional with strong experience in manufacturing, strategic sourcing, supplier management, purchasing, inventory, and cross-functional collaboration.

This individual will work closely with Operations, Planning, Engineering, Quality, Finance, and other functional leaders to ensure the organization has the right materials, from the right suppliers, at the right quality, cost, and time.

Key Responsibilities

· Purchasing & Sourcing Lead day-to-day purchasing activities and ensure timely procurement of materials, components, and services.

· Develop and execute sourcing strategies aligned with company requirements for cost, quality, delivery, capacity, and risk. Identify, evaluate, qualify, and develop new suppliers as needed.

· Negotiate pricing, payment terms, lead times, contracts, and other commercial terms with suppliers.

· Monitor market conditions, supplier capacity, and potential supply chain risks to proactively address potential disruptions.

· Establish purchasing practices that support both short-term production requirements and long-term business objectives.

Supplier Management

· Develop and maintain strong strategic relationships with key suppliers.

· Establish and manage supplier performance metrics, scorecards, and improvement initiatives.

· Conduct supplier assessments and work with Quality and Operations to address supplier performance issues.

· Hold suppliers accountable for quality, delivery, responsiveness, and adherence to agreed-upon requirements.

· Lead supplier corrective actions and escalation efforts when necessary.

· Develop supplier partnerships that improve reliability, responsiveness, and overall supply chain performance.

Material Availability & Inventory

· Partner closely with Planning and Operations to ensure adequate material availability to support production schedules and customer commitments.

· Monitor purchasing requirements, open purchase orders, supplier lead times, and material shortages.

· Identify and resolve potential shortages or delivery risks before they impact production.

· Balance inventory levels with customer demand, lead times, working capital, and operational requirements.

· Identify opportunities to reduce excess, obsolete, and slowmoving inventory.

· Support improvements to inventory accuracy, purchasing parameters, and material planning processes.

Continuous Improvement & Performance

· Develop, monitor, and report purchasing and supplier KPIs, including cost, on-time delivery, quality, lead time, inventory, and supplier responsiveness.

· Identify opportunities to improve purchasing processes, systems, workflows, and team capabilities.

· Lead continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen purchasing effectiveness and supply chain reliability.

· Use data and performance metrics to identify root causes and drive sustainable improvements.

· Establish clear processes, accountability, and performance expectations within the purchasing function.

Cross-Functional Leadership

· Partner closely with Planning, Operations, Engineering, Quality, Finance, Sales, and other departments to align purchasing activities with business priorities.

· Serve as a key link between suppliers and internal stakeholders.

· Communicate material risks, supplier issues, cost changes, and delivery concerns proactively.

· Participate in new product introductions, engineering changes, supplier transitions, and other initiatives requiring purchasing support.

· Provide leadership and guidance to purchasing personnel and help develop a high-performing purchasing organization.

Qualifications

· Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations, or a related field preferred.

· 7+ years of progressive purchasing, sourcing, procurement, or supply chain experience, preferably within a manufacturing environment.

· Proven experience managing suppliers and negotiating pricing and commercial terms.

· Strong understanding of purchasing, inventory management, material planning, and supplier performance.

· Experience developing and utilizing supplier scorecards and KPIs.

· Demonstrated ability to identify supply chain risks and develop effective mitigation strategies.

· Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to use data to drive decisions.

· Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship management skills.

· Ability to work effectively across departments and influence stakeholders without direct authority.

· Experience with ERP/MRP systems and strong proficiency with Microsoft Excel.

· Demonstrated track record of continuous improvement and process optimization.

Preferred

· Experience Manufacturing environment with complex or engineered products.

· Experience purchasing technical, fabricated, machined, electrical, or specialized components.

· Experience working with supplier quality and corrective action processes.

· Experience managing both domestic and international suppliers.

· Experience leading or mentoring purchasing, procurement, or supply chain personnel.

· APICS/ASCM, CPSM, or other supply chain/procurement certification is a plus.

What Success Looks Like

· Success in this role will be measured by the Purchasing Manager's ability to:

· Improve supplier on-time delivery and responsiveness.

· Ensure consistent material availability and reduce production disruptions caused by purchasing issues.

· Improve supplier quality and accountability.

· Deliver measurable cost savings and commercial improvements.

· Reduce excess and obsolete inventory while maintaining appropriate material coverage.

· Establish clear purchasing processes, metrics, and accountability.

· Build stronger alignment between Purchasing, Planning, Operations, Engineering, and Quality.

· Develop a reliable, proactive, and strategically focused purchasing function.