Procurement Manager

Blue-Signal-Search; Schaumburg (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Blue-Signal-Search is searching for a Procurement Manager for a rapidly growing industrial manufacturing company. The ideal candidate will lead the transition from transactional purchasing to a strategic procurement function, ensuring supplier diversification and cost optimization.

Responsibilities include building a procurement team, implementing best practices, and driving supplier relationships. Candidates should have a strong background in procurement and supply chain management, with a focus on supplier diversification and a history of managing significant spend.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in procurement, strategic sourcing, or supply chain management.
• Proven track record of leading global supply chain transitions.
• Experience managing $10M+ annual procurement spend.

Responsibilities

• Drive supplier diversification away from China.
• Build and mentor the procurement team to support growth.
• Implement scalable procurement strategies to optimize cost control.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Supplier diversification

Negotiation

Procurement analytics

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, or Engineering

Job description

Our client is a rapidly growing industrial manufacturing company, aiming to scale from $30M to $150M in revenue within five years. As part of this ambitious growth strategy, they seek a Procurement Manager to build and lead a strategic sourcing function, drive supplier diversification, and implement optimal systems and processes. This role offers a unique opportunity to take full ownership of procurement transformation, supplier risk mitigation, and cost optimization in a dynamic, high-growth environment.

Why Join?

• Growth & Impact: Lead the transition of procurement from transactional purchasing to a strategic function.
• Ownership & Leadership: Establish and scale the procurement team while shaping the company’s long‑term supply chain strategy.
• Strategic Challenge: Spearhead the shift from 50% China‑based sourcing to a diversified global supplier network (targeting below 25% within five years).
• Innovative Environment: Work directly with executive leadership to optimize procurement and supply chain processes.
• Career Advancement: Develop a high‑impact procurement function from the ground up in a fast‑paced, industrial manufacturing setting.

Key Responsibilities

Global Sourcing & Supplier Strategy

• Drive the strategic initiative to diversify the supplier base away from China, prioritizing domestic and international alternatives.
• Identify, evaluate, and establish new supplier relationships that improve cost, quality, and supply chain resilience.
• Conduct on‑site supplier visits domestically and internationally to validate capabilities and ensure compliance.

Procurement Leadership & Department Development

• Build and lead the procurement function, implementing best practices, systems, and processes.
• Develop and mentor a procurement team to support operational efficiency and strategic growth.
• Establish KPIs for procurement, including on‑time delivery, cost reduction, inventory levels, and supplier performance.

Operational Excellence & Cost Optimization

• Implement scalable procurement strategies to optimize inventory management and cost control.
• Improve cash flow through strategic supplier agreements, prepayment structures, and inventory ownership models.
• Negotiate supplier contracts, focusing on cost efficiencies, long‑term agreements, and volume‑based incentives.

Supplier Quality & Compliance

• Ensure suppliers meet quality, sustainability, and ethical sourcing standards.
• Conduct supplier audits and performance tracking to drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Lead risk mitigation strategies to secure a sustainable and resilient supply chain.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with engineering, manufacturing, and operations teams to align procurement strategies with business objectives.
• Partner with logistics and supply chain teams to improve inbound freight, inventory flow, and supply reliability.
• Engage with executive leadership to present procurement transformation plans and execution roadmaps.

Qualifications & Experience

Must‑Have Experience

• 7+ years in procurement, strategic sourcing, or supply chain management, preferably in industrial manufacturing.
• Proven track record of leading global supply chain transitions, particularly supplier diversification away from China.
• Experience managing $10M+ annual procurement spend, with expertise in inventory optimization.
• Ability to design and implement procurement strategies that support aggressive business growth.
• Strong negotiation, contract management, and cost‑reduction expertise.
• Data‑driven decision‑maker with proficiency in procurement analytics and KPIs.

Industry Knowledge & Leadership Skills

• Experience in industrial manufacturing and mechanical components (electrical products experience less relevant).
• Understanding of material and mechanical specifications to drive profitability.
• Background in managing high SKU, low‑volume procurement environments.
• Hands‑on leadership style—able to develop and execute strategies independently.

Additional Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or a related field.
• Willingness to travel extensively early on (domestic & international), including supplier site visits.
• Strong communication and decision‑making skills—must be able to formulate a plan and execute efficiently.
• Preference for candidates who thrive in an office‑centric culture (relocation assistance available if needed).

Compensation & Benefits

• Career growth in a fast‑moving, high‑impact environment.
• Direct collaboration with executive leadership to shape procurement strategy.
• Hybrid flexibility when necessary, with a strong office‑first culture.

Is This You?

This role is ideal for a hands‑on Procurement Leader ready to take ownership of a supply chain transformation. If you are results‑driven, excel at strategic sourcing, and have successfully led international supplier transitions, we want to hear from you!