Purchasing Director: Build Processes, Lead Team, Optimize Supply

EA Talent Solutions; New York (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

EA Talent Solutions has been engaged by a Nassau County–based wholesale distributor to identify a Purchasing Manager to lead the purchasing department who will keep products flowing at the right cost and service levels by running the team, developing its people, and building the processes the department depends on.

The role oversees a team of associate buyers, the expediting function, and the department's operating metrics.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• Five to ten years of purchasing experience, including at least three years managing a team.
• Proven leadership skills and a track record of building accountable teams.
• Own the processes and performance of a function, not just individual purchasing work.
• Strong analytical aptitude, with the ability to drive problems to actionable solutions.
• Highly proficient in Excel, including filters, pivot tables, and large data sets.
• Experience with domestic and overseas suppliers, and a solid understanding of import processes.
• Track record of improving processes and introducing tools that reduce manual work.
• Detail oriented and highly organized, with clear communication skills.
• Flexible, resourceful, and comfortable leading a team through change.
• Calm and steady under pressure.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Set clear goals, measure performance, and hold buyers accountable for results.
• Coach and develop the team, managing performance directly, including underperformance.
• Assign clear ownership across the team for every responsibility.
• Develop, document, and enforce consistent SOPs.
• Introduce automation and tooling that removes manual work.
• Continuously improve processes to boost service, cost, or efficiency.
• Own operating metrics: a 96% fill rate, expediting performance, PO date accuracy, and OSD prevention.
• Oversee PO flow and replenishment execution.
• Own resolution of receiving discrepancies and OSD claims, reducing downstream cleanup.
• Own the import process end to end: proforma invoices, MOQ, pricing, and discrepancy negotiation.
• Coordinate inbound freight shipments and consolidations, working with Operations on receiving.
• Work with Operations and warehouse on receiving/inventory accuracy.
• Align with Sales and Merchandising on demand, promotions, and product decisions.
• Coordinate with Finance on terms, invoicing, and vendor payment issues.
• Uphold the company's service reputation and vendor relationships through reliable execution.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Team management

Attention to detail

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Excel

Job description

EA Talent Solutions has been engaged by a Nassau County–based wholesale distributor to identify a Purchasing Manager to lead the purchasing department who will keep products flowing at the right cost and service levels by running the team, developing its people, and building the processes the department depends on.

The role oversees a team of associate buyers, the expediting function, and the department's operating metrics.