Director, Corporate Procurement

Optical Cable Corporation; Roanoke (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Optical Cable Corporation (OCC) is seeking a strategic Procurement Manager to lead corporate sourcing, supplier management, and risk mitigation across all company locations. The role partners with Engineering, Operations, Manufacturing, Quality, Product Management and Finance to ensure supply continuity, cost competitiveness and alignment with long-term business goals.

The position requires 7–10 years in procurement with 3–5 years of leadership experience, a Bachelor's degree in a related field,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in relevant field is required.
• 7–10 years in procurement with 3–5 years leadership.
• Experience in manufacturing and fiber optic industry preferred.
• Proficient with procurement software (Syspro).

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute corporate sourcing strategies across locations.
• Lead end-to-end procurement processes for assigned categories.
• Lead supplier selection and qualification activities.
• Source and evaluate suppliers to maximize value.
• Conduct supplier business reviews and cost-saving initiatives.
• Draft and manage purchase orders, contracts, and service agreements.
• Collaborate with internal teams to forecast demand and align strategy.
• Maintain procurement documentation and compliance with policies.

Skills

Strong communication

Leadership

Procurement software

SOPs & compliance

Data analysis

Negotiation

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management

Tools

Syspro

Job description

Basic Function:

Responsible for leading OCC's corporate procurement and strategic sourcing functions across all company locations. Develops and executes sourcing strategies that strengthen supplier partnerships, reduce supply chain risk and improve cost competitiveness. Leads procurement personnel while collaborating with Engineering, Operations, Manufacturing, Quality, Product Management and Finance to ensure suppliers support current production needs, new product introductions and long-term business growth.

Champions OCC's mission, vision and values (as detailed in our 15 Essential Points of Success); complies with policies and procedures, ethical standards and Code of Conduct.

Significant Responsibilities:

Strategic Procurement and Supplier Management

• Develop and execute corporate sourcing strategies.
• Manage end-to-end procurement processes for assigned categories (e.g., IT, facilities, raw materials, MRO, services).
• Lead supplier selection and qualification activities.
• Source and evaluate suppliers to ensure high quality, timely delivery, and competitive pricing. Negotiate pricing, terms, and conditions with suppliers to maximize value.
• Conduct supplier business reviews.
• Develop alternate sourcing strategies.
• Draft, review, and manage purchase orders, contracts, and service agreements.
• Work with internal departments to forecast demand and align procurement strategy with business goals.
• Ensure compliance with company procurement policies and relevant regulations.
• Analyze market trends to identify new sourcing opportunities or risks.
• Participate in cost-saving and process improvement initiatives.
• Maintain accurate records in procurement systems (e.g., ERP software).

Supplier Development and New Product Qualifications

• Reduce supply chain disruptions.
• Partner with Engineering, Product Management, Manufacturing and Quality to support new product introduction (NPI) and new product qualification.
• Identify and qualify suppliers capable of meeting new product specification.
• Coordinate supplier qualification activities.
• Support prototype and pilot production.
• Ensure suppliers meet all quality and regulatory requirement before production release.

Compliance and Risk Management Responsibilities

• Maintain compliance with SOX, ISO, customer requirements and applicable regulatory standards.
• Ensure supplier compliance.
• Support internal and external audits.
• Maintain procurement documentation.
• Develop procurement policies and procedures.
• Ensure purchasing activities comply with company authority levels.
• Manage potential supply chain risk to OCC: supply continuity planning, oversight of sole-source situations, tariff impacts, business continuity.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Provide leadership coaching and performance management for procurement personnel located at all three facilities.
• Standardize procurement processes, procedures and best practices across all locations.
• Develop department goals, KPIs and procurement metrics.
• Identify talent development opportunities and succession planning.
• Foster collaboration among procurement personnel at each location.
• Collaboration with cross-functional teams to include engineering, product management, manufacturing, quality, planning, sales and finance.

Job Scope:

• Managerial: Provides strategic and operational leadership for procurement personnel across multiple manufacturing locations. Responsible for developing procurement strategy, departmental budgets, supplier relationships, compliance programs, and continuous improvement activities.
• Communication: Communicates with fellow managers and leaders in other departments to understand procurement needs and expectations across all three locations.
• Confidentiality: High level of confidentiality required regarding corporate initiatives, customer matters and employee issues.
• Financial: Operate and manage a fiscally responsible team and maintain reasonable expenses; must evaluate the potential returns on investment before committing to purchases. Respond to the Finance team's request for information in a timely and accurate manner.
• Judgment: Errors can impact the efficiency of on-time orders, general quality and employee morale.

• Compliance: Responsible for SOX and ISO compliance as it pertains to the teams work processes; responsible for understanding, following and administering corporate policies. Compliant with operational procedures.
• Travel: Travel as frequently among all three locations to support procurement operations, supplier visits, outsourcing partners, audits, etc.

Minimum Qualifications Required:

Education: Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Finance or related field.

Experience: Minimum of 7-10 years of progressive procurement, sourcing, supply chain or strategic purchasing experience within a manufacturing environment, including at least 3-5 years of leadership experience managing procurement personnel. Knowledge and understanding of fiber optic cable and connectivity industry experience preferred.

Technical: Proficient with procurement software (e.g. Syspro)

Certifications: Professional certification(s) (e.g. CPM, CPSM, CIPS) desired.

Essential Skills, Abilities & Knowledge:

Excellent computer skills required. Comprehensive knowledge of all applicable industry standards and qualification requirements including ISO9008 and MIL-STD. Ability to plan, layout and execute complex work programs, functions and operations. Ability to understand and implement quality procedures. Excellent math and documentation skills required and the ability to correctly complete all documentation. Excellent oral and written communication skills required with the demonstrated ability to express oneself clearly and concisely. Ability to supervise employees and maintain effective relationships with all levels in the organization. Ability to work in a team environment with responsibility for training, motivating, monitoring and evaluating others. Pay close attention to detail with the ability to complete assignments accurately, and to recognize, record and help resolve problems. Able to organize, complete tasks and manage time.

Working Conditions:

This is a partially sedentary job which requires vision sufficient for significant reading, keyboarding and computer usage. Also, normal work responsibilities call for nominal levels of physically demanding efforts characterized by walking and standing some of the day and lifting up to 25 lbs. This work also requires an individual with hearing sufficient for dealing with external agencies/vendors, interacting with employees, conducting meetings, as well as for significant telephone contact. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with a disability to perform the essential functions.

Note: This job description is only meant to be a representative summary of the major responsibilities and accountabilities performed by incumbents of this job. The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those stated in this description.