Purchasing Manager

American Crane & Equipment Corporation; Douglassville (PA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

American Crane & Equipment Corporation is seeking a Purchasing Manager to lead the end-to-end procurement for a custom crane and hoist manufacturer. The role coordinates with Project Managers, Engineers, Production, and Quality to ensure timely delivery and material quality on the shop floor.

You will develop procurement strategy, negotiate supplier agreements, and build systems that prevent surprises in production schedules. This on-site position reports to the CFO and guides a purchasing team.

Qualifications

• This role requires a bachelor’s degree in a related field and several years of purchasing experience in manufacturing.
• You will lead supplier negotiations and manage procurement budgets and contracts.
• ERP proficiency (Jobscope, Dynamics) and strong cross-functional collaboration are essential.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, and manage the daily operation of the purchasing department aligned with production schedules.
• Communicate with Project Managers, Engineers, and Production to determine delivery dates.
• Develop reporting and procedures to proactively manage delivery dates for critical components.
• Ensure purchased inventory meets quality standards and specifications.
• Lead supplier negotiations and optimize cost across the procurement function.

Skills

Procurement leadership

Supplier negotiations

ERP/system knowledge

Cross-functional collaboration

Budget/cost control

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field

Tools

Jobscope

Microsoft Dynamics 365

Job description

• On-site at American Crane & Equipment Corporation Plant 1 in Douglassville, PA
• 1st Shift: Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–3:30 PM
• Office environment with regular time on the manufacturing floor coordinating with production teams
• Standard office conditions with occasional exposure to shop floor noise, temperature variations, and industrial equipment

WE ARE HIRING: Purchasing Manager

Work Environment & Schedule

• On-site at American Crane & Equipment Corporation Plant 1 in Douglassville, PA
• 1st Shift: Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–3:30 PM
• Office environment with regular time on the manufacturing floor coordinating with production teams
• Standard office conditions with occasional exposure to shop floor noise, temperature variations, and industrial equipment

What This Role Really Is

This isn’t a transactional purchasing job where you’re just placing POs and chasing confirmations. You’re managing the entire procurement operation for a custom crane and hoist manufacturer — where almost nothing is off the shelf, lead times matter, and the wrong material showing up late can stall an entire project.

You’ll own the purchasing function end to end: planning procurement strategy, negotiating supplier agreements, managing delivery timelines against active production schedules, and building the reporting and processes that keep the operation running without surprises. You work directly with Project Managers, Engineers, Production, and Quality every day and your actions ripple through every project on the floor.

This role reports to the Chief Financial Officer and manages the purchasing team. It’s a position where supply chain discipline, commercial judgment, and the ability to build systems that work without constant intervention all matter equally.

What You’ll Do

Procurement Operations & Supply Chain Management

• Plan, organize, and manage the daily operation of the purchasing department — ensuring materials are procured according to established procedures and aligned with production schedules
• Communicate with Project Managers, Engineers, and Production daily to determine key delivery dates for production and customer commitments
• Develop reporting and procedures to proactively manage delivery dates for critical components
• Ensure all purchased inventory meets quality standards and company/customer specifications
• Coordinate with Quality Assurance on incoming material inspections and supplier performance

Supplier Strategy & Cost Management

• Negotiate agreements, pricing, delivery terms, and specifications with suppliers for common components and raw materials
• Develop methods to analyze pricing trends for common components and raw materials — identifying cost increases and qualifying alternative suppliers
• Recommend and implement cost‑saving proposals across the procurement function
• Ensure product costs are routinely updated and maintained in the ERP system
• Propose and manage the department budget, holding the team accountable to spending targets

Leadership & Team Development

• Manage, develop, and mentor the purchasing team to be autonomous in their decision‑making
• Build procurement discipline and accountability across the department
• Work closely with the CFO in planning and implementing manufacturing strategies that align with company mission, vision, and financial goals
• Actively participate in Manufacturing department production meetings and cross‑functional planning

Who Thrives Here

This role rewards someone who thinks ahead, not just reacts. The purchasing function at a custom manufacturer is inherently unpredictable — engineering changes, long‑lead specialty components, fluctuating steel prices — and the person who succeeds here is the one who builds systems to manage that complexity instead of firefighting every day.

You’ll Do Well Here If You

• Think in terms of supply chain strategy, not just individual purchase orders
• Build relationships with suppliers that create real leverage — not just transactional back‑and‑forth
• Can translate production priorities into procurement action without needing every detail spelled out
• Hold your team accountable while developing their skills and judgment
• Know how to use an ERP system as a management tool, not just a data entry screen
• Communicate directly with engineers, PMs, and production leadership without filtering everything through email

This Probably Isn’t The Right Fit If

• You prefer a reactive, order‑taking approach to purchasing
• You’re uncomfortable managing people and holding a team to standards
• You need a highly structured, repetitive procurement environment — custom manufacturing is anything but

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field
• 5+ years of purchasing/procurement experience in a manufacturing environment
• 2+ years of supervisory or team leadership experience
• Demonstrated experience negotiating supplier contracts, pricing, and delivery terms
• Proficiency with ERP systems and procurement modules (Jobscope, Microsoft Dynamics 365 experience is a plus)
• Strong analytical skills — able to interpret cost data, identify trends, and make data‑driven sourcing decisions
• Excellent communication and cross‑functional collaboration skills

Preferred

• Experience in heavy equipment, crane, or custom manufacturing procurement
• Familiarity with steel, electrical components, and industrial raw material supply chains
• APICS, CPSM, or similar supply chain certification
• Experience with Jobscope, Microsoft Dynamics, other ERP, PDM systems, or similar manufacturing‑specific platforms
• Track record of implementing cost‑reduction initiatives or supplier consolidation programs

First 30 Days — Learn the Operation

• Complete company onboarding, safety orientation, and facility tours
• Meet your team, the CFO, Project Managers, Engineering, and Quality contacts
• Understand the current purchasing workflows, ERP system (Jobscope), and supplier base
• Review active purchase orders, open commitments, and critical delivery timelines
• Identify the top 20 suppliers by spend and begin assessing those relationships

Days 31–60 — Take Ownership

• Assume day‑to‑day