Purchasing Manager

West Fraser; Cordele, Northern (GA, KY); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits starting Day 1

Competitive starting pay

On-the-job training

Promote from within

401K with company match

Job summary

West Fraser is seeking a Purchasing Manager to oversee indirect materials, commodities, supplies, and services across the Cordele mill. You will manage inventory, supplier relationships, cost controls, and adherence to purchasing policies while coordinating with maintenance, operations, and finance teams.

The role emphasizes RFQ management, bid awards, contract administration, and performance analytics to drive cost savings and process improvements in a manufacturing setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a related field; SCM, business or operations preferred.
• 5–10 years inventory-control or purchasing experience; supervisory experience preferred.
• Experience in industrial/manufacturing environments; supplier negotiations and contracts experience.

Responsibilities

• Manage storeroom inventory replenishment and verify requisitions against stock levels.
• Communicate with maintenance planners on PO delivery status and expedite materials as needed.
• Create RFQs, solicit quotes, and award bids per purchasing procedures.
• Ensure compliance with purchasing policies, controls, and authority limits.
• Oversee RFQ, POs, service agreements, and procurement data in CMMS/ERP systems.
• Negotiate purchasing terms and supplier agreements; track performance expectations.
• Analyze pricing, lead times, and total cost to identify savings opportunities.
• Lead continuous-improvement initiatives for inventory control and processes.
• Audit supplier performance and address late deliveries, defects, and pricing issues.
• Maintain supplier records and liaise with Accounts Payable on discrepancies.
• Coordinate with Maintenance, Operations, Finance and others to align purchasing priorities.
• Represent the company with suppliers and drive professional vendor relations.

Skills

Negotiation

Communication

Process Management

Drive for Results

Interpersonal Savvy

Financial Analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management or related field

Tools

CMMS

ERP

Inventory Systems

Job description

Job Category: Maintenance & Skilled Trades

Requisition Number: PURCH017828

• Posted : August 25, 2026
• Full-Time
• On-site

Locations

Showing 1 location

Cordele
Cordele, GA 31015, USA

• Travel Required : Yes

Description

The Purchasing Manager is responsible for the timely purchase of indirect materials, commodities, supplies, equipment, and services, including on-site and non-site inventory requirements. This role uses strong organizational, analytical, customer-service, and communication skills to support internal requestors while managing purchasing activities, supplier relationships, inventory levels, cost control, and compliance with company purchasing policies and procedures.

What You Will Do:

• Manage storeroom inventory replenishment by verifying approved purchase requisition-line demands against stores inventory to maintain appropriate mill inventory levels.
• Direct communication with maintenance planners and internal requestors regarding purchase-order delivery status and expedite materials as needed to meet work-order requirements.
• Create RFQs and requests for quotes based on incoming demand and award bids in accordance with purchasing procedures.
• Ensure compliance with purchasing policies, procedures, approval authority, and internal controls.
• Manage the mill's RFQ, purchase-order, service-agreement, and related procurement processes; maintain accurate information in the CMMS/ERP or applicable purchasing system.
• Negotiate purchasing and service agreements and communicate details to appropriate departments; support contract administration and supplier performance expectations.
• Analyze supplier pricing, terms, lead times, total cost, and purchasing trends to identify cost-saving and process-improvement opportunities.
• Champion continuous-improvement initiatives related to storeroom inventory control and purchasing operations; identify opportunities to optimize inventory levels, workflows, and processes.
• Audit vendor and supplier performance against purchasing agreements, including late deliveries, incorrect shipments, damaged or defective goods, pricing discrepancies, and other service issues.
• Organize, review, and maintain inventory-management information including lead times, minimum/maximum levels, reorder points, and replenishment data.
• Perform requirements planning for one-time and recurring purchases and identify discrepancies from receipt to invoice on a bi-weekly basis.
• Gather vendor and supplier information from requestors and maintain accurate supplier records as required.
• Serve as a central point of contact for Accounting/Accounts Payable and suppliers regarding invoice and purchase-order discrepancies.
• Conduct annual supplier evaluations and participate in annual corporate performance reviews as required.
• Manage purchasing-related KPIs such as inventory accuracy, supplier performance, lead times, cost savings/avoidance, and purchasing compliance; communicate results to leadership as appropriate.
• Partner cross-functionally with Maintenance, Operations, Finance/Accounting, and other departments to ensure purchasing priorities support mill needs.
• Maintain professional relationships with suppliers and represent the company appropriately in vendor interactions.
• Lead by example and perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the General Manager.

What You Will Need:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations, or a related field preferred; an equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant purchasing/procurement experience will be considered.
• 5 to 10 years of inventory-control and/or purchasing experience, with demonstrated purchasing/procurement responsibility preferred.
• Experience in an industrial or manufacturing environment preferred.
• Demonstrated experience with supplier negotiations, pricing, purchasing terms, contracts, and/or service agreements.
• Managerial or supervisory experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of purchasing concepts, procurement processes, and their application.
• Experience using CMMS, ERP, inventory, or purchasing systems preferred.
• Ability to analyze pricing, inventory, supplier performance, and purchasing data and communicate findings clearly.

Preferred Skills:

• Functional / Technical Skills: Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills to perform the job at a high level of accomplishment.
• Decision Quality: Makes sound decisions based on analysis, experience, and judgment; identifies appropriate solutions and produces accurate work.
• Process Management: Organizes people, activities, and resources effectively; identifies opportunities to simplify and improve processes.
• Drive for Results: Focuses on achieving goals successfully, consistently, and with appropriate attention to detail.
• Interpersonal Savvy: Relates well to people at all levels, builds constructive relationships, uses diplomacy and tact, and handles difficult situations appropriately.
• Negotiation and Communication: Communicates clearly and professionally and works toward favorable, sustainable outcomes with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Financial and Analytical Acumen: Understands the cost impact of purchasing decisions and uses data to support cost control, inventory optimization, and supplier decisions.

Outstanding benefits package including:

• Benefits starting Day 1
• Competitive starting pay
• On-the-job training
• A culture that strongly believes in promoting from within
• 401K with company match and additional retirement contribution

West Fraser is a diversified wood products company producing lumber, OSB, LVL, MDF, plywood, pulp, newsprint, wood chips, and energy with over 60 facilities in Canada, the United States, and Europe. We are the largest lumber producer in North America, a leading global manufacturer of wood-based panels, and the world’s largest producer of oriented strand board (OSB).

We are a growing company, believe strongly in promoting from within, and pride ourselves on providing a challenging environment with continuous development. The successful candidate should be interested in future growth opportunities within the company

West Fraser is an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/V/D & Drug-Free Workplace (DFW)

Travel Required

Yes . <5% Must be able to travel via car and air when required

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.