Director of Procurement at A Finkl & Sons Co – Chicago, Illinois

Position Summary

The Director of Procurement is responsible for leading the organization’s sourcing, purchasing, and supplier management strategies to ensure cost-effective, reliable, and high-quality supply of materials, equipment, and services. This role provides strategic direction and operational oversight of procurement activities while driving supplier performance, risk mitigation, and continuous improvement across the supply chain.

The Director of Procurement partners closely with Operations, Finance, Engineering, Maintenance, and Plant Leadership to support production goals, capital projects, and long-term business objectives — especially in a complex manufacturing environment.

Fluent in French preferred.

Compensation: $135K - $160k

Key Responsibilities

Procurement Strategy & Leadership

Develop and execute a comprehensive procurement strategy aligned with company financial and operational objectives and Corporate Procurement.Lead, mentor, and develop the procurement and purchasing team at multiple sites.Establish KPIs to measure procurement performance, cost savings, supplier reliability, and service levelsDrive a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and cross-functional collaboration

Sourcing & Cost Management

Lead strategic sourcing initiatives for raw materials, MRO supplies, capital equipment, and outside services Negotiate pricing, contracts, and long-term supply agreements to achieve cost savings and favorable termsAnalyze market trends, commodity pricing, and supply risks to inform sourcing decisionsIdentify and implement cost-reduction and value-engineering opportunities without compromising quality or safety

Supplier Management

Develop and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers and service providersEstablish supplier performance metrics related to quality, delivery, safety, and responsivenessConduct supplier evaluations, audits, and performance reviewsLead supplier issue resolution and corrective action processes

Operational Support

Ensure timely procurement of materials and services to support uninterrupted production and maintenance activitiesPartner with Operations and Engineering on capital projects, equipment purchases, and plant upgradesSupport maintenance reliability initiatives through effective MRO and spare parts procurementWork closely with Inventory/Stores teams to optimize stock levels and reduce carrying costs

Risk & Compliance

Identify and mitigate supply chain risks, including single-source dependencies and market volatilityEnsure procurement activities comply with company policies, contractual obligations, and applicable regulationsSupport ESG, sustainability, and responsible sourcing initiatives where applicable

Systems & Process Improvement

Oversee procurement systems, purchasing processes, and approval workflowsImprove purchasing efficiency through standardization, automation, and data-driven decision-makingEnsure accurate procurement reporting and spend visibility across the organization

Qualifications

Education & Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or related field required8–12+ years of progressive procurement or supply chain experienceMinimum 3–5 years in a leadership or management roleExperience in manufacturing, industrial, or heavy industry environments strongly preferred

Technical & Professional Skills

Strong negotiation and contract management skillsDeep understanding of strategic sourcing, supplier performance management, and cost analysisExperience with MRO, capital equipment, and production material sourcingFamiliarity with ERP/MRP systems and procurement softwareFinancial acumen with ability to analyze total cost of ownership and budget impacts

Leadership Competencies

Proven ability to lead teams and influence cross-functional stakeholdersStrong decision-making and problem-solving skillsAbility to balance strategic thinking with hands-on operational executionExcellent communication and relationship-building skills

Work Environment

Primarily office-based with regular interaction in plant/manufacturing environmentsOccasional travel to company facilities and supplier sites requiredWe Offer

Medical, Dental and Vision benefits401k Match & Profit SharingSTD and Life Insurance10 paid holidays & PTO