Purchasing Manager

Location: Columbus, OH (On-site)
Reports To: Procurement Director
Team: 3 Buyers
Industry: Packaging & Safety Supplies Distribution

About The Company

Our client helps manufacturers, warehouses, and logistics operations keep moving with dependable packaging and safety products-delivered on time, every time. As a regional industry leader with a growing national footprint, they combine deep product expertise with exceptional service and streamlined supply chain execution.

We're looking for a data-driven Purchasing Manager to lead the buying team and ensure our customers experience industry-leading fulfillment while maintaining disciplined inventory investment.

Role Overview

The Purchasing Manager will oversee a team of three buyers responsible for replenishment across domestic and international suppliers. This role is both strategic and hands-on-balancing service levels, working capital, and vendor performance. The ideal candidate thrives on analytics, process optimization, and leadership.

Your primary success measures will be:

• Fulfillment: Customer order fill rate
• Inventory Investment: Total inventory dollars and turns

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of three buyers managing daily replenishment across multiple product categories and distribution centers.
• Oversee both domestic and international purchasing, including vendor communication, lead-time management, and logistics coordination.
• Maintain exceptional customer fulfillment by balancing supply, demand, and inventory investment.
• Analyze purchasing and inventory performance through ERP data and reporting dashboards.
• Collaborate with sales, operations, and warehouse teams to align purchasing strategies with demand forecasts and promotions.
• Continuously improve purchasing processes and systems through automation, analytics, and best practices.

Qualifications

• 3-6 years of purchasing, supply chain, or inventory management experience, ideally in distribution.
• 3+ years of experience managing or supervising a purchasing team.
• Strong ERP system proficiency (NetSuite, SAP, Epicor, or similar).
• Advanced Excel and analytics skills (pivot tables, lookups, data modeling).
• Proven ability to manage fulfillment and inventory KPIs simultaneously.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills.
• Ability to manage both domestic and international supply chains, including import documentation and freight coordination.

Preferred / Optional Qualifications:

• Experience with supply and demand planning, forecasting, or S&OP processes.
• Background in international sourcing or vendor development.

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