Manager, Purchasing (Procurement)

Imagine; Grayslake (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Imagine is seeking a Purchasing Manager to lead the sourcing, procurement, supplier relationships, and purchasing activities across our Grayslake, IL operations. This onsite role partners with leadership to implement sourcing strategies, negotiate supplier agreements, and drive cost savings while ensuring timely availability of materials and services.

The position focuses on improving supplier performance, inventory alignment, and overall purchasing efficiency, working with cross-functional

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Operations, or related field.
• Five+ years purchasing, procurement, sourcing, or supply chain experience.
• Three+ years of supervisory or people leadership experience.
• Experience negotiating supplier agreements and managing supplier relationships.

Responsibilities

• Establish and implement purchasing policies and sourcing strategies.
• Lead RFQs, supplier evaluations, and contract negotiations.
• Develop and maintain supplier relationships to meet cost and quality targets.
• Monitor supplier performance and drive continuous improvement.
• Coordinate with Production and Operations on lead times and priorities.
• Support inventory planning and reduce excess inventory.
• Ensure ERP data accuracy and purchasing documentation.

Skills

Sourcing

Procurement

Supplier management

Negotiation

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Supply Chain

Tools

ERP software

MS Excel

Job description

Job Summary

The Purchasing Manager is responsible for managing the sourcing, procurement, supplier relationship, and purchasing activities required to support company operations. This position partners with leadership to implement sourcing strategies, negotiate supplier agreements, improve supplier performance, and ensure timely availability of materials and services. The Purchasing Manager drives cost savings initiatives, supports inventory planning efforts, and leads purchasing operations to improve service, quality, efficiency, and overall business performance.

Description

Onsite position, M-F

Job Description

• Establish and implement purchasing policies, sourcing strategies, procedures, and best practices in alignment with business objectives.
• Support the development and execution of sourcing initiatives that improve supplier performance, service levels, quality, and total cost of ownership.
• Manage vendor and supplier selection activities by conducting assessments based on price, quality, support, capacity, reliability, and business requirements.
• Lead RFQs, supplier evaluations, and contract negotiations to secure favorable pricing, quality, and service agreements.
• Develop and maintain supplier relationships to ensure quality, delivery, service, and cost expectations are achieved.
• Utilize supplier performance metrics and scorecards to identify opportunities for continuous improvement and supplier development.
• Ensure suppliers comply with company quality standards, contractual obligations, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Conduct spend analysis and identify cost savings opportunities through sourcing improvements, process enhancements, and supplier negotiations.
• Manage purchasing activities to ensure timely procurement of materials, supplies, and services required for company operations while meeting quality and cost objectives.
• Coordinate with Production, Operations, and other departments regarding lead times, material availability, and purchasing priorities.
• Support inventory planning and inventory optimization efforts to improve material availability and reduce excess or obsolete inventory.
• Maintain supplier records, pricing agreements, contracts, and purchasing documentation while ensuring ERP data accuracy and integrity.
• Monitor purchasing trends, supplier performance, and market conditions and communicate potential supply risks and opportunities to leadership.
• Collaborate with other Imagine locations, when appropriate, to support enterprise sourcing initiatives and supplier partnerships.
• Lead and develop purchasing team members through coaching, training, performance feedback, and employee development activities.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives that enhance purchasing efficiency, supplier performance, and operational effectiveness.
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Yes

Minimum Qualifications of Position

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Operations, or related field; equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Five or more years of purchasing, procurement, sourcing, or supply chain experience.
• Three or more years of supervisory or people leadership experience.
• Experience negotiating supplier agreements and managing supplier relationships.

Preferred Qualifications Of Position

• Experience in manufacturing, print, graphics, packaging, or related industries.
• Experience utilizing ERP systems and purchasing software.
• Professional certification such as CPSM, CPM, or CSCP preferred.
• Experience leading cost reduction and supplier improvement initiatives.

Knowledge And Skills

• Strong sourcing, procurement, and supplier management knowledge.
• Effective contract negotiation and vendor management skills.
• Ability to conduct spend analysis and identify cost reduction opportunities.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of ERP systems, purchasing controls, and data management practices.
• Ability to lead teams and influence cross-functional business partners.
• Ability to apply continuous improvement principles to purchasing processes.

Working Conditions And Physical Requirements

• Frequent sitting for extended periods of time.
• Ability to lift medium to heavy workloads of up to 35 pounds.
• Occasional walking, bending, and stooping.
• Manual dexterity required for computer and equipment use.

EEO Statement

The Imagine Group provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.