Purchasing Manager

IFABCORP; Gastonia (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

iFAB Corp in Gastonia, NC is seeking an experienced Purchasing Manager to lead procurement operations in a metal fabrication environment. You will source raw materials, components, and services, negotiate favorable terms, and drive on-time delivery while managing supplier relationships.

The ideal candidate has a strong background in metal manufacturing, excels in negotiation, and has proven leadership of procurement teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of purchasing experience in metal fabrication, structural steel manufacturing, precision metal manufacturing, or related industrial manufacturing.
• At least 3 years of leadership or management experience supervising purchasing or procurement teams.
• Strong experience purchasing carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, sheet metal, structural steel, tubing and pipe, hardware and industrial components, and welding and fabrication consumables.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes including laser cutting, machining, welding, forming, powder coating, and fabrication.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems (e.g., Sage 500, Epicor, NetSuite, SAP, Microsoft Dynamics, or similar).
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills for purchasing analysis and reporting.
• Strong contract negotiation and vendor management skills.
• Knowledge of inventory planning and demand forecasting.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute purchasing strategies aligned with production schedules and company objectives.
• Source and procure raw materials including structural steel, stainless steel, aluminum, sheet metal, tubing, plate, hardware, and fabrication consumables.
• Establish and maintain strategic relationships with domestic and international suppliers.
• Negotiate pricing, payment terms, contracts, rebates, and long-term supply agreements.
• Monitor steel market trends, commodity pricing, tariffs, and supply chain risks to support purchasing decisions.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Production, Planning, Inventory Control, and Quality to ensure material availability.
• Manage supplier performance through KPIs including quality, delivery, responsiveness, and cost competitiveness.
• Lead supplier qualification, audits, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Review material requirements generated through the ERP/MRP system and ensure timely purchase order placement.
• Maintain optimal inventory levels while minimizing carrying costs.
• Resolve supplier quality issues, delivery delays, shortages, and invoice discrepancies.
• Analyze purchasing metrics including PPV, inventory turnover, supplier performance, and cost savings.
• Identify opportunities for cost reduction, supplier consolidation, and process improvement.
• Develop annual purchasing budgets and support financial forecasting.
• Ensure compliance with company purchasing policies and applicable regulations.
• Lead, mentor, and develop purchasing and procurement staff.

Skills

Purchasing experience in metal fabric.

Leadership experience

Contract negotiation

Forecasting / inventory planning

Excel / data analysis

Vendor management

ERP/MRP proficiency

Metal materials knowledge

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field

Tools

ERP/MRP systems (Sage 500, Epicor, NetSuite, SAP, MS Dynamics)

Advanced Microsoft Excel

Job description

iFAB Corp is seeking an experienced Purchasing Manager to lead and optimize the company's procurement operations in a fast-paced metal fabrication manufacturing environment. The Purchasing Manager will be responsible for sourcing raw materials, fabricated components, production supplies, and subcontracted services while ensuring cost competitiveness, quality, and on-time delivery. This role plays a critical part in maintaining uninterrupted production by developing strategic supplier partnerships, negotiating favorable agreements, and implementing best procurement practices.

The ideal candidate has a strong background in metal manufacturing or metal fabrication, excellent negotiation skills, and experience managing procurement teams in a manufacturing setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute purchasing strategies aligned with production schedules and company objectives.
• Source and procure raw materials including structural steel, stainless steel, aluminum, sheet metal, tubing, plate, hardware, and fabrication consumables.
• Establish and maintain strategic relationships with domestic and international suppliers.
• Negotiate pricing, payment terms, contracts, rebates, and long-term supply agreements.
• Monitor steel market trends, commodity pricing, tariffs, and supply chain risks to support purchasing decisions.
• Collaborate closely with Engineering, Production, Planning, Inventory Control, and Quality departments to ensure material availability.
• Manage supplier performance through KPIs including quality, delivery, responsiveness, and cost competitiveness.
• Lead supplier qualification, audits, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Review material requirements generated through the ERP/MRP system and ensure timely purchase order placement.
• Maintain optimal inventory levels while minimizing carrying costs.
• Resolve supplier quality issues, delivery delays, shortages, and invoice discrepancies.
• Analyze purchasing metrics including PPV (Purchase Price Variance), inventory turnover, supplier performance, and cost savings.
• Identify opportunities for cost reduction, supplier consolidation, and process improvement.
• Develop annual purchasing budgets and support financial forecasting.
• Ensure compliance with company purchasing policies and applicable regulations.
• Lead, mentor, and develop purchasing and procurement staff.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of purchasing experience in metal fabrication, structural steel manufacturing, precision metal manufacturing, or related industrial manufacturing.
• At least 3 years of leadership or management experience supervising purchasing or procurement teams.
• Strong experience purchasing:
• Carbon steel
• Stainless steel
• Aluminum
• Sheet metal
• Structural steel
• Tubing and pipe
• Hardware and industrial components
• Welding and fabrication consumables
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes including laser cutting, machining, welding, forming, powder coating, and fabrication.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems (e.g., Sage 500, Epicor, NetSuite, SAP, Microsoft Dynamics, or similar).
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills for purchasing analysis and reporting.
• Strong contract negotiation and vendor management skills.
• Knowledge of inventory planning and demand forecasting.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• CPIM, CPSM, CSCP, or CPM certification.
• Experience purchasing metals in a custom fabrication or job-shop manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of steel commodity pricing and market fluctuations.
• Experience with supplier development and strategic sourcing initiatives.
• Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma experience is a plus.