Assistant Purchasing Manager (Mechanical/Electrical Component exp req)

Rhodes Wolfe; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 95,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

401(k) Match

PTO & Paid Holidays

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

Rhodes Wolfe is seeking an Assistant Purchasing Manager to partner with the Purchasing Manager in leading a purchasing team. You will manage 80,000+ SKUs across 200+ suppliers (domestic and international), execute purchasing activities, and support trade compliance and tariff management in a high-mix, low-volume environment.

The role requires a technical background with hands-on experience buying electrical and mechanical components.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 3+ years experience purchasing mechanical and electrical components.
• Experience forecasting, planning, and managing domestic and international suppliers.
• Experience with ERP systems and advanced Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP) required.
• Prior leadership experience with desire to manage others.

Responsibilities

• Lead purchasing of direct/indirect materials, equipment, and services.
• Manage and execute purchasing strategies aligned with operational/financial objectives.
• Generate, modify, and cancel purchase orders and supplier confirmations in SAP.
• Coordinate with suppliers and internal teams on procurement and delivery schedules.
• Obtain quotes, evaluate suppliers, and negotiate pricing, terms and agreements.
• Monitor supplier performance and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Expedite purchase orders; determine appropriate air, ocean, rail, or ground freight methods.
• Maintain vendor master data, purchasing records, and inbound shipment information.
• Support inventory management/optimization, new part creation, and ECO processes.
• Monitor tariff and trade regulation changes; manage import/export compliance.
• Analyze tariff impacts on costs, pricing, margins, and operations.
• Maintain HTS codes and country-of-origin documentation.
• Coordinate with brokers and forwarders; develop strategies to mitigate tariff costs/risks.
• Ensure accurate landed cost calculations, duties, taxes, and tariff reporting.
• Develop purchasing metrics and reporting to support decision-making.
• Provide leadership with tariff impact reports and cost-saving recommendations.
• Lead sourcing projects and cost-reduction initiatives.

Skills

Purchasing experience

Leadership experience

Forecasting & planning

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

SAP

Advanced Excel (PivotTable, VLOOKUP)

Job description

Assistant Purchasing Manager (Mechanical/Electrical Component exp req)
Location: Minutes Southwest of Minneapolis, MN
Salary: $95,000 - $120,000 DOE + Monthly Performance Bonus + Benefits
Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k) Match, PTO & Paid Holidays, Tuition Reimbursement
Job Type: Full-Time
Schedule: Monday to Friday, Flexible Between 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Start Date: ASAP
Sponsorship: Not Available

Assistant Purchasing Manager (Mechanical/Electrical Component exp req) Description

Our client in the industrial automation manufacturing industry is looking for an Assistant Purchasing Manager to partner with the Purchasing Manager in leadership of the purchasing team. In this role, you will manage a portfolio of 80,000+ SKUs across 200+ domestic and international suppliers, execute and oversee purchasing activities, and support trade compliance and tariff management. Ideal candidates bring a technical background, hands‑on experience purchasing electrical and mechanical components in a manufacturing environment, strategic vision, and the urgency and communication skills needed to thrive in a high‑mix, low‑volume operation. This is a great opportunity to join an organization that values innovation, teamwork, work‑life balance, and career advancement.

Assistant Purchasing Manager (Mechanical/Electrical Component exp req) Responsibilities

• Lead purchasing of direct/indirect materials, equipment, and services
• Manage and execute purchasing strategies aligned with operational/financial objectives
• Generate, modify, and cancel purchase orders and supplier confirmations in SAP
• Coordinate with suppliers and internal teams on procurement and delivery schedules
• Obtain quotes, evaluate suppliers, and negotiate pricing, terms, and agreements
• Monitor supplier performance and drive continuous improvement initiatives
• Expedite purchase orders; determine appropriate air, ocean, rail, or ground freight methods
• Maintain vendor master data, purchasing records, and inbound shipment information
• Support inventory management/optimization, new part creation, and ECO processes
• Monitor U.S. and international tariff, trade regulation, customs, and import/export law changes
• Analyze tariff impacts on product costs, supplier pricing, margins, and operations
• Maintain HTS codes, country‑of‑origin documentation, and trade compliance records
• Coordinate with brokers and forwarders; develop strategies to mitigate tariff costs/risks
• Ensure accurate landed cost calculations, duties, taxes, and tariff reporting
• Develop purchasing metrics and reporting to support decision-making
• Provide leadership with periodic tariff impact reports and cost‑saving recommendations
• Lead sourcing projects, cost reduction initiatives, and departmental compliance

Assistant Purchasing Manager (Mechanical/Electrical Component exp req) Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required
• 3+ years experience purchasing mechanical and electrical components required
• Experience forecasting, planning, and managing domestic and international suppliers required
• Experience with ERP and advanced Excel use (pivot tables, vlookup) required
• Prior leadership experience with desire to manage others required