Purchasing manager

Gpac; Iowa City (IA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

GPAC in Iowa City, IA is seeking an experienced Purchasing Manager to lead the full purchasing cycle, manage supplier relationships, and ensure a timely, cost-effective flow of materials to support production.

You will mentor a team of buyers, coordinate purchasing activities, negotiate pricing and long-term supplier agreements, and pursue continuous improvement in supplier performance, quality, and on-time delivery.

Qualifications

• Strong negotiation, communication, and vendor management skills.
• Experience in machining, hydraulic cylinder manufacturing, or heavy equipment industries preferred.
• Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Office.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, Business Administration, or related field preferred (or equivalent experience).
• 5+ years of purchasing or supply chain experience in a manufacturing or machining environment.
• 2+ years of leadership experience supervising purchasing staff.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the full purchasing cycle.
• Manage supplier relationships.
• Ensure the timely, cost-effective flow of materials to support production.
• Lead, develop, and mentor a team of buyers; set expectations and manage performance.
• Assign and coordinate purchasing activities; monitor workloads and support training.
• Promote collaboration and continuous improvement within the team.
• Source and purchase raw materials, components, and services.
• Negotiate pricing, terms, and long-term supplier agreements.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to ensure quality and on-time delivery.
• Monitor market trends, supplier performance, and cost-saving opportunities.
• Partner with production and engineering to forecast material requirements.
• Prevent material shortages and excess inventory.
• Ensure purchased materials meet quality, specification, and compliance requirements.
• Resolve supplier issues related to quality, delivery, or pricing.
• Collaborate with accounting on purchase orders, invoicing, and cost tracking.
• Implement and maintain purchasing policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Track and report KPIs related to supplier performance, inventory, and cost reduction.
• Provide regular updates to management on purchasing activities and supply chain risks.

Skills

Negotiation

Vendor management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in supply chain management or related field

5+ years purchasing/supply chain in manufacturing or machining

2+ years leadership supervising purchasing staff

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Job description

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the full purchasing cycle
• Manage supplier relationships
• Ensure the timely, cost-effective flow of materials to support production.
• Lead, develop, and mentor a team of buyers; set expectations and manage performance
• Assign and coordinate purchasing activities; monitor workloads and support training
• Promote collaboration and continuous improvement within the team
• Source and purchase raw materials, components, and services
• Negotiate pricing, terms, and long-term supplier agreements
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to ensure quality and on-time delivery
• Monitor market trends, supplier performance, and cost-saving opportunities
• Partner with production and engineering to forecast material requirements
• Prevent material shortages and excess inventory
• Ensure purchased materials meet quality, specification, and compliance requirements
• Resolve supplier issues related to quality, delivery, or pricing
• Collaborate with accounting on purchase orders, invoicing, and cost tracking
• Implement and maintain purchasing policies, procedures, and best practices
• Track and report KPIs related to supplier performance, inventory, and cost reduction
• Provide regular updates to management on purchasing activities and supply chain risks

Qualifications

Strong negotiation, communication, and vendor management skills

Experience in machining, hydraulic cylinder manufacturing, or heavy equipment industries preferred

Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Office

Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work in a fast-paced environment

Education & Experience

Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, Business Administration, or related field preferred (or equivalent experience)

5+ years of purchasing or supply chain experience in a manufacturing or machining environment

2+ years of leadership experience supervising purchasing staff

At this time, we are unable to provide visa sponsorship. Candidates must have existing authorization to work in the United States

All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, age, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, military status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable laws or regulations.