Procurement Manager in Meadville, Pennsylvania at Channellock, Inc.

The Procurement Manager is responsible for the development, execution, and continuous improvement of the organization’s procurement strategy to ensure the cost-effective, timely, and reliable acquisition of materials, components, equipment, and services supporting manufacturing operations.

This role is accountable for driving sustained cost reduction, optimizing purchasing strategies, and leading complex supplier negotiations while maintaining supply continuity, quality standards, and supplier performance. The position operates cross-functionally with Operations, Finance, Engineering, Quality, and Sales to balance cost, risk, and service levels in alignment with business objectives.

Essential Functions:

• Lead, Manage, and Hold Accountable (LMA):
• Provide clear direction and accountability for procurement.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams such as Sales, Operations, Engineering, Customer Service to align with business objectives.
• Drive a culture of ownership, discipline, and continuous improvement.
• Develop and execute sourcing strategies that reduce total cost, improve profit margins, and ensure uninterrupted supply.
• Utilize MRP Demand Planning to drive purchase requirements.
• Obtain historical purchasing data utilizing NetSuite ERP software to help determine areas of opportunity and define total savings.
• Drive purchasing strategy through data analysis, market benchmarking, and negotiation to achieve measurable cost savings and margin improvement.
• Lead supplier selection, qualification, and onboarding processes aligned with operational and quality requirements.
• Negotiate pricing, contracts, terms, and service-level agreements to mitigate risk and maximize value.
• Build and maintain strategic supplier relationships while ensuring competitive tension within the supply base.
• Collaborate with Operations and Planning to align procurement with production schedules and demand variability.
• Manage supplier performance through defined metrics related to cost, quality, delivery, and responsiveness; initiate corrective actions as necessary.
• Monitor market conditions, commodity trends, and supply risks to proactively address potential disruptions or cost impacts.
• Ensure purchasing activities comply with company policies, internal controls, contractual obligations, and applicable laws and regulations.
• Prepare and present purchasing reports, forecasts, and analyses to senior leadership.
• Performance Metrics & Reporting:
• Track and report key performance indicators (KPIs)
• Identify trends and adjust, coordinating demand forecasting within the supply chain, and coordinating promotional forecasting.

Job Requirements, Knowledge, Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations Management, or related field.
• 3-5 years of supply chain experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Completion of Karrass Negotiation Training preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to reduce procurement costs while maintaining supply chain stability and quality standards.
• Strong negotiation, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Working knowledge of manufacturing materials, inventory management principles, and supply chain risk management.
• Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
• Ability to interpret financial data, contracts, and technical specifications.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to influence internal stakeholders and external suppliers.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods of time.
• Ability to occasionally lift and/or move materials up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to work in both office and manufacturing plant environments, including exposure to noise, temperature variations, and industrial equipment.
• Visual acuity is sufficient to review documents, reports, and computer screens.