Manager, Purchase Order Management

The Manager, Purchase Order (PO) Management is responsible for leading a team that manages the end-to-end purchase order lifecycle—from PO issuance through supplier production and final shipment. This role ensures on-time delivery, adherence to lead times, and effective coordination with outsourced suppliers , while driving process efficiency and accountability across the supply chain. This position plays a critical role in maintaining supplier performance, mitigating delays, and ensuring a consistent flow of goods aligned with business demand. Key Responsibilities PO Lifecycle Management Oversee the full lifecycle of purchase orders, from creation to shipment and delivery confirmation Ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance of all PO documentation and system records Monitor open orders and proactively resolve delays, shortages, or discrepancies Maintain visibility to PO status across suppliers and internal stakeholders Supplier & Vendor Management Act as primary escalation point for supplier performance, delivery issues, and capacity constraints Build and maintain strong relationships with outsourced suppliers and vendors Track supplier KPIs (on-time delivery, lead time adherence, fill rates, quality) Partner with sourcing teams to improve supplier reliability and responsiveness On-Time Shipping & Lead Time Performance Drive accountability for on-time shipment performance across all suppliers Analyze lead times and identify opportunities for reduction and improvement Collaborate with suppliers to optimize production schedules and shipping timelines Implement corrective actions for late shipments and recurring delays Team Leadership Lead, coach, and develop a team responsible for PO execution and supplier follow-up Establish clear performance metrics and daily/weekly operating cadence Drive accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence Allocate workload and prioritize critical orders based on business needs Cross-Functional Collaboration Partner with sourcing, logistics, planning, and finance teams to ensure alignment Communicate risks, delays, and recovery plans to internal stakeholders Support demand planning and inventory management through accurate PO tracking Ensure alignment between supplier commitments and business requirements Process Improvement & Reporting Identify and implement process improvements in PO management workflows Develop reporting dashboards for: On-time delivery (OTD) Lead time performance Supplier scorecards Drive system utilization (ERP/MRP) to improve visibility and efficiency Standardize best practices for PO tracking and supplier communication Qualifications Required Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Logistics, or related field 5-10+ years experience in procurement, supply chain operations, or purchasing 2-5+ years of people management experience Strong experience managing purchase orders and supplier relationships Proven track record improving on-time delivery and lead time performance Preferred Experience working with overseas / outsourced suppliers ERP system experience (SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, etc.) Background in manufacturing, retail, or consumer goods supply chains Lean / Six Sigma or continuous improvement experience Key Skills & Competencies Strong execution and follow-through mindset Supplier management and negotiation skills Analytical skills (lead time, delays, root cause analysis) Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment Excellent communication and stakeholder management Data-driven decision making and KPI management Success Metrics (KPIs) On-Time Shipment % (OTD) Lead Time Adherence / Reduction PO Cycle Time Supplier Performance Scorecards Open Order Aging / Past Due Orders Team productivity and SLA adherence