Purchasing Manager

Judge Direct Placement; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Judge Direct Placement in Chicago, IL seeks a Purchasing Manager to lead procurement of raw materials, packaging, and production supplies, aligning with production schedules and budget targets.

You will analyze forecasts, monitor inventory, oversee PO processes, negotiate with suppliers, and drive cost savings while ensuring quality, food safety, and on-time delivery across operations. Experience in manufacturing and 5+ years preferred.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of purchasing, procurements, inventory control or supply planning in a manufacturing setting.

Responsibilities

• Manage procurement of raw materials, packaging, and production supplies to support operational needs.
• Analyze forecasts, inventory levels, consumption trends, and lead times to ensure timely material availability.
• Oversee purchase order processes and monitor purchasing activities to ensure accuracy and on-time delivery.
• Partner with Operations, Production, and Inventory teams to align material purchases with production schedules.
• Maintain accurate inventory records and ensure adherence to inventory control procedures.
• Monitor inventory levels to minimize shortages, excess stock, spoilage, and obsolete materials.
• Establish and manage inventory parameters, including safety stock, reorder points, and min/max levels.
• Develop and maintain supplier relationships while evaluating performance, pricing, quality, and service levels.
• Negotiate supplier pricing, terms, contracts, and freight arrangements to optimize costs and service.
• Identify and implement cost-saving opportunities while maintaining quality, food safety, and operational standards.
• Resolve supply chain issues, including late deliveries, shortages, and material quality concerns.
• Collaborate with Quality Assurance to ensure supplier compliance, product specifications, and food safety requirements are met.
• Partner with Production, Operations, and Finance to address material shortages, demand changes, and purchasing discrepancies.
• Oversee inventory counts, reconciliations, and variance investigations to ensure inventory accuracy.
• Prepare and analyze purchasing, inventory, supplier performance, and cost savings reports for management.
• Support audits and maintain purchasing documentation, supplier records, and compliance requirements.

Skills

Negotiation

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Excel

ERP systems

MRP systems

Tools

ERP systems

MRP

Inventory software

Job description

Judge Direct Placement is seeking a Purchasing Manager in Chicago, IL area!

Responsibilities:

• Manage the procurement of raw materials, packaging, and production supplies to support operational requirements.
• Analyze production forecasts, inventory levels, consumption trends, and lead times to ensure timely material availability.
• Oversee purchase order processes and monitor purchasing activities to ensure accuracy and on-time delivery.
• Partner with Operations, Production, and Inventory teams to align material purchases with production schedules.
• Maintain accurate inventory records and ensure adherence to inventory control procedures.
• Monitor inventory levels to minimize shortages, excess stock, spoilage, and obsolete materials.
• Establish and manage inventory parameters, including safety stock, reorder points, and min/max levels.
• Develop and maintain strong supplier relationships while evaluating performance, pricing, quality, and service levels.
• Negotiate supplier pricing, terms, contracts, and freight arrangements to optimize costs and service.
• Identify and implement cost-saving opportunities while maintaining quality, food safety, and operational standards.
• Resolve supply chain issues, including late deliveries, shortages, and material quality concerns.
• Collaborate with Quality Assurance to ensure supplier compliance, product specifications, and food safety requirements are met.
• Partner with Production, Operations, and Finance to address material shortages, demand changes, and purchasing discrepancies.
• Oversee inventory counts, reconciliations, and variance investigations to ensure inventory accuracy.
• Prepare and analyze purchasing, inventory, supplier performance, and cost savings reports for management.
• Support audits and maintain purchasing documentation, supplier records, and compliance requirements.

Requirements:

• 5+ years of experience in purchasing, procurements, inventory control or supply planning
• Purchasing and inventory experience in a manufacturing environment
• Strong negotiation, analytical, organizational skills
• Proficient with Microsoft Excel and ERP, MRP, purchasing, or inventory related systems