Purchasing & Inventory Control Manager at Core Industrial Maintenance LLC – Indianapolis, Indiana

The Purchasing & Inventory Control Manager is responsible for overseeing the end-to-end supply chain process, ensuring optimal inventory levels while managing purchasing activities to maintain uninterrupted material availability and control costs. This role develops strategic sourcing initiatives, consolidates purchasing, manages vendor relationships, drives inventory accuracy and optimization, and partners cross-functionally with operations, sales, and finance teams to support business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Purchasing & Strategic Sourcing

• Develop and implement purchasing strategies, including min/max levels, lot sizes, safety stock, and reorder point triggers focused on cost and margin optimization.
• Negotiate pricing, rebates, terms, and contracts with suppliers to achieve cost and NWC savings and favorable service agreements.
• Issue and manage purchase orders (POs) to ensure timely procurement of materials and supplies.
• Identify and qualify new suppliers to improve cost, quality, and delivery performance.
• Consolidate purchasing across multiple companies to improve the process and reduce costs.
• Support Item Master Data efforts to improve accuracy and visibility of items across ISG companies.

Inventory Management & Control

• Monitor and maintain optimal inventory levels to prevent stockouts and excess inventory.
• Conduct physical inventories and cycle counts to ensure inventory accuracy.
• Maintain and improve inventory databases within ERP and inventory management systems.
• Implement process improvements to increase inventory accuracy and warehouse efficiency.
• Standardize and implement buying processes and controls within each ISG company.
• Achieve targeted reduction in overall inventory and improve NWC.

Cost Control & Financial Oversight

• Analyze inventory trends and purchasing data to reduce carrying costs and improve cash flow.
• Develop and manage purchasing and inventory budgets.
• Identify opportunities for cost reduction through supplier consolidation, volume discounts, and process efficiencies.
• Track KPIs such as TCO, inventory turnover, fill rate, inventory reduction, and inventory accuracy.
• Work cross functionally to support the mechanics of material costs and inflation through the selling and invoicing process.

Vendor Management

• Evaluate supplier performance based on quality, delivery, responsiveness, and cost.
• Build and maintain strong vendor partnerships to ensure long-term supply stability.
• Resolve supply chain disruptions and negotiate corrective actions when needed.
• Consolidate vendors to optimize costs and improve commercial outcomes.
• Identify and qualify alternative vendors.

Operations & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Coordinate with sales and operations teams to align purchasing with demand forecasts.
• Optimize warehouse layout and storage strategies to maximize space and efficiency.
• Lead implementation and optimization of inventory management and ERP systems.

Reporting & Compliance

• Prepare monthly and quarterly inventory and purchasing performance reports.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, purchasing procedures, and internal controls.
• Support audits and maintain accurate documentation of purchasing and inventory activities.

Experience

• 5+ years of experience in purchasing, inventory control, or supply chain management.
• Prior experience managing purchasing and inventory within a multisite operation.
• Experience in consolidating procurement, developing supply chain SOPs, and implementing inventory and cost control within manufacturing or distribution.
• Valid Driver's License

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in multiple ERP and inventory management systems.
• Advanced skills in data management and systems such as Power BI and Excel.
• Experience with demand forecasting and supply planning tools preferred.
• Advanced understanding of sales and operations planning methods.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent negotiation and vendor management skills.
• Effective communication and cross-functional collaboration capabilities.
• Proven leadership and team development experience.
• High attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Entrepreneurial self-starter with high energy and a bias towards taking actions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations Management, or related field.