1.0 POSITION

DESCRIPTION

The MRO Purchasing Manager is responsible for managing, optimizing, and driving value for MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Operations), technical spare parts, consumables, tooling, and contracted industrial services. (Freight and primary inbound/outbound logistics are excluded from this role's scope). Combining strong commercial negotiation skills, financial acumen, and technical affinity, this role acts as a strategic bridge between procurement and internal technical teams (Engineering, Maintenance, Operations). The primary objective is to maintain a sustainable, competitive, and reliable supplier base, systematically challenge internal demand and specifications to eliminate waste, and implement an automated consumable inventory replenishment system that maximizes parts availability while minimizing safety stock and holding costs. 2.0 KEY

RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Relationship Management Nurture, evaluate, and entertain a sustainable, commercially aligned supplier network capable of meeting quality, lead-time, cost, and ESG requirements. Lead supplier identification, RFP/RFQ processes, technical bid evaluations, and contract negotiations for MRO, consumables, and vendor services. Conduct continuous market intelligence, commodity tracking, and cost structure benchmarking to identify cost reduction opportunities. Monitor supplier performance via Service Level Agreements (SLAs), On-Time In-Full (OTIF) metrics, quality rejection rates, and quarterly vendor reviews. Inventory Replenishment & Stock Optimization Design, implement, and optimize a robust consumable and spare parts replenishment system (e.g., Min/Max, KanBan, VMI, ERP-driven reorder points). Drive optimal inventory turn rates, balance buffer stocks against lead-time volatility, and guarantee key operational items maintain high availability. Partner with warehouse and maintenance personnel to ensure accurate physical stock tagging, layout optimization, and bin location tracking. Demand Challenge & Technical Collaboration Act as a constructive commercial partner to engineering and plant maintenance, challenging requested technical specifications, single-source dependencies, and consumption patterns. Evaluate total cost of ownership (TCO) and drive standardization across plants to reduce SKU variety and aggregate purchasing power. Investigate substitute materials, alternate technical components, and OEM equivalent parts without compromising quality or equipment warranties. Commercial Operations & Data Analysis Leverage ERP systems and data analytics (Excel) to perform detailed spend analysis, purchase trend forecasting, and budget variance tracking. Manage the purchase order (PO) lifecycle: requisition processing, order placement, vendor confirmations, expediting critical parts, and resolving invoice discrepancies with Finance. Maintain master procurement data integrity (item masters, pricing agreements, lead times, vendor safety stock) in the ERP platform. 3.0 KEY

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

(KPIs)

Cost Savings & Value Creation:

Annual cost reduction/avoidance percentage against the spend baseline.

Parts Availability & OTIF:

On-time, in-full availability rate for critical spares and consumables to prevent plant downtime.

Inventory Optimization:

Reduction in total inventory carrying costs while maintaining required service levels and inventory turns.

Contract Coverage & Supplier Performance:

Percentage of spend under formal contract and overall supplier performance evaluation score. 4.0

QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES Education & Experience:

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or related field with 4+ years of strategic procurement experience within an industrial, manufacturing, or technical environment.

Commercial Acumen:

Strong contract law understanding, negotiation prowess, and financial analysis skills.

Technical Affinity:

Capability to read technical documentation/drawings, understand mechanical/electrical components, and converse effectively with plant engineers and maintenance technicians.

Data Proficiency:

Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel (Pivot tables, XLOOKUP/VLOOKUP, financial modeling) and hands-on experience with modern ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Microsoft Dynamics 365, NetSuite).

Soft Skills:

Assertive communicator, constructive challenger, high accountability, and strong problem-solving mindset. 5.0 WORK

ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This position is based in a corporate/manufacturing plant office environment and requires frequent presence on the shop floor, warehouse, and maintenance areas to collaborate with technicians, review inventory, and inspect technical components. Physical demands include regular plant floor walkthroughs, handling light technical parts, and occasional travel (less than 10%) to vendor facilities or sister sites. 6.0 OTHER DUTIES Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Pay:

$90,000.00 - $125,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Health insurance Health savings account Life insurance Paid time off Tuition reimbursement Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person