Supply Chain Lead provides leadership and oversight for purchasing and supply chain activities, ensuring effective execution across sourcing, supplier management, inventory, material planning, and purchasing functions. This role establishes priorities, drives supplier and operational performance, leads the resolution of critical supply chain issues, and identifies opportunities to reduce cost and risk while improving material availability. The Supply Chain Lead provides operational guidance to the Sourcing & Purchasing Manager and serves as a key cross-functional partner in developing and executing supply chain strategies that support operational and business objectives.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as the first point of escalation for purchasing, material availability, supplier delivery, and inventory issues that cannot be resolved through routine purchasing processes
• Provide functional guidance, training, and problem-solving support to Buyers and Purchasing Coordinators and promote consistent purchasing practices across the department.
• Provide buyer coverage if needed.
• Monitor supplier commitments, lead times, and delivery schedules to ensure material availability.
• Work closely with Scheduling, Operations, Production, and Corporate teams to identify and resolve material shortages and supply risks.
• Manage day-to-day supplier performance and communications across assigned material categories, including service levels, quality, responsiveness, lead times, and on-time delivery.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions related to late deliveries, shortages, quality concerns, and supply disruptions.
• Work with suppliers to resolve quality issues, returns, claims, and replacement material requirements.
• Coordinate supplier invoice discrepancies, and purchasing-related issue resolution with internal stakeholders.
• Work with brokers, freight forwarders, and logistics providers to determine optimal transportation solutions for inbound materials.
• Partner with third-party testing and quality organizations to support supplier compliance initiatives.
• Analyze inventory trends, demand requirements, lead times, and usage patterns and recommend adjustments to minimum stock, reorder points, and safety stock levels to the Sourcing & Purchasing Manager.
• Develop and maintain reports that track supplier performance, inventory health, purchasing effectiveness, and supply chain metrics.
• Develop and maintain purchasing and supply chain KPIs, including supplier on-time delivery, shortages, lead-time performance, inventory health, purchase order exceptions, and supplier quality trends.
• Support supplier sourcing, quotation analysis, cost-reduction initiatives, and negotiations led by the Sourcing & Purchasing Manager.
• Serve as a resource to Buyers and Purchasing Coordinators by providing guidance and promoting standardized processes and best practices.
• Lead day-to-day cross-functional efforts to resolve material constraints, supplier issues, and supply chain bottlenecks, escalating significant commercial, capacity, or supply risks to the Sourcing & Purchasing Manager.
• Assist with quarterly and annual inventory activities.
• Present supplier, inventory, and supply chain performance updates to management.
• Perform other duties as assigned by Sourcing & Purchasing Manager or Director of Administration.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Heated and cooled typical office environment with regular interaction between office, warehouse, and manufacturing operations. Occasional travel may be required for supplier visits, training, audits, or business meetings.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Minimum

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Medium

DIRECT REPORTS 0 QUALIFICATIONS MINIMUM EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

three years of experience in purchasing, sourcing, supply chain, inventory management, or manufacturing operations.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Previous experience in Furniture Manufacturing is preferred.

MINIMUM EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

High school diploma or equivalent.

PREFERRED EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor's Degree or 5+ years related experience.

REQUIRED SKILLS PHYSICAL & ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must have strong collaboration and interpersonal communication skills, including speaking, presenting, writing, and focused listening.
• Must have leadership skills and the ability to influence and motivate others without direct authority.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Must have sound judgment and effective decision-making abilities.
• Must be an autonomous and independent worker.
• Must be able to perform root cause analysis and troubleshoot supply chain, inventory, supplier, and operational issues.
• Must be quality-minded and committed to continuous improvement.
• Must be able to perform and meet established goals in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strict attention to detail is required.
• Must be a team player with a positive attitude and collaborative approach.
• Must be able to lead by example.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain strong supplier relationships.
• Ability to coordinate supplier performance and delivery commitments, identify service or quality concerns, and escalate issues as needed.
• Strong inventory control and planning skills, with the ability to monitor inventory levels, anticipate material needs, and support forecasting activities. Ability to analyze purchasing, inventory, demand, and supplier data to support business decisions.
• Ability to identify process improvement opportunities and implement sustainable solutions.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, projects, and deadlines simultaneously.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills with Operations, Production, Scheduling, Finance, Logistics, Quality, and Corporate partners.
• Ability to develop reports, metrics, and performance dashboards to support decision-making.
• Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems and purchasing software.
• Must be proficient with Microsoft Office applications and computer technology, specifically Microsoft excel.
• Must be able to sit, stand, and walk for long periods at a time.
• Occasional availability outside of regularly scheduled hours may be required to support supply chain disruptions, urgent business needs, and emergency situations.
• Must be able to adhere to all safety policies and procedures to prevent injuries to yourself and others.
• Must be able to work in a heated and cooled office environment with regular interaction in manufacturing and warehouse areas.
• Must be able to use standard office equipment and computer systems for extended periods.
• Occasional travel may be required for supplier visits, audits, training, or business meetings.