Purchasing Manager.

UPI Global Ingredients; Mebane (NC); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

UPI Global Ingredients in North Carolina seeks a Purchasing Manager to lead the purchasing team and oversee sourcing, supplier negotiations, and inventory planning. You will align purchasing with sales, operations, and quality goals while ensuring safety, regulatory compliance, and cost efficiency.

The role requires strategic thinking, strong leadership, and collaboration across cross-functional teams to optimize supplier performance and mitigate risks in a chemical-focused supply chain.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred; five years purchasing experience in chemicals preferred.
• Experience developing purchasing strategies, managing supplier relationships, and negotiating terms.
• Knowledge of safety and regulatory requirements (OSHA, REACH, TSCA, SDS).
• Experience using ERP systems and MS Office applications.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the purchasing team, set expectations, coach, and drive accountability.
• Develop and implement purchasing strategies to meet cost, quality, and delivery goals.
• Identify and negotiate with suppliers; manage pricing, terms, and contracts.
• Monitor market trends and supplier performance; manage supplier risk.
• Balance inventory with demand forecasts and lead times; collaborate cross-functionally.
• Ensure compliance with safety and regulatory requirements and maintain SDS/docs.
• Establish supplier scorecards and KPIs; implement contingency sourcing plans.
• Maintain accurate purchasing records and improve procurement processes.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic sourcing

Negotiation

Analytical thinking

Inventory planning

Communication

Collaboration

Problem-solving

ERP systems

MS Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management or related field

Tools

ERP systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

UPI Global Ingredients (UPI) is a supplier of Natural Ingredients and Chemicals to the Personal Care, Food & Beverage, Pharmaceutical, Veterinary, Health & Nutrition, Flavor & Fragrance, HI&I, Ag & Feed, and Industrial Trades.

Position Summary

The Purchasing Manager leads UPI Global Ingredients’ purchasing team and oversees sourcing and procurement activities to ensure a reliable, cost-effective supply of natural ingredients and chemicals. This role develops purchasing strategies, manages supplier relationships and negotiations, and aligns inventory planning with customer demand and business objectives. Working closely with Sales, Operations, Logistics, and Quality, the Purchasing Manager drives supplier performance, mitigates supply chain risks, and ensures sourced materials meet applicable quality, safety, and regulatory requirements.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and manage the purchasing team, establishing clear expectations, supporting professional development, and fostering accountability and continuous improvement.
• Develop and implement purchasing and sourcing strategies that support the company’s cost, quality, delivery, and business objectives.
• Identify, evaluate, and select suppliers; negotiate pricing, payment terms, contracts, and other purchasing conditions.
• Monitor market trends, commodity pricing, and supply chain vulnerabilities related to specialty and bulk chemicals to inform purchasing decisions and category strategies.
• Manage inventory levels to minimize shortages and excess stock, balancing customer demand forecasts, supplier lead times, and business needs.
• Collaborate with Sales, Operations, Logistics, Quality, and Ownership to align purchasing activities with customer requirements and company priorities.
• Monitor supplier performance and coordinate the timely resolution of quality, delivery, and other supplier-related issues.
• Evaluate and prioritize purchasing categories and supplier relationships to strengthen strategic partnerships, reduce costs, and improve supply reliability.
• Oversee purchasing-related import requirements, coordinating with Logistics and relevant personnel to ensure appropriate shipping and hazardous materials documentation.
• Develop and maintain approved vendor lists, supplier qualification records, safety data sheets (SDS), and required certifications.
• Coordinate with Quality and personnel responsible for safety and regulatory compliance to verify that sourced materials and supplier documentation meet applicable requirements, including REACH and TSCA.
• Establish and maintain supplier scorecards and key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate cost, quality, and delivery performance.
• Develop contingency plans and alternative sourcing strategies for critical materials to mitigate supply disruptions and support business continuity.
• Maintain accurate purchasing records and identify opportunities to improve procurement processes, reporting, and efficiency.
• Leadership & Team Development: Ability to set expectations, delegate effectively, coach employees, and build an accountable, high-performing purchasing team.
• Strategic Sourcing: Ability to evaluate sourcing options, prioritize purchasing categories, and align procurement decisions with business objectives.
• Negotiation & Supplier Management: Strong negotiation skills and the ability to establish productive supplier relationships while addressing performance concerns.
• Analytical Thinking & Business Judgment: Ability to assess pricing, purchasing data, market trends, and supplier performance to make informed, cost-conscious decisions.
• Inventory Planning & Risk Management: Ability to balance supply availability, demand forecasts, inventory investment, and supplier lead times while anticipating potential disruptions.
• Communication & Collaboration: Ability to communicate clearly with suppliers, team members, cross-functional partners, and Ownership.
• Organization & Attention to Detail: Ability to manage competing priorities and maintain accurate purchasing records, supplier documentation, and follow-through.
• Problem-Solving & Continuous Improvement: Ability to resolve purchasing challenges, identify root causes, and implement practical process improvements.
• Systems Proficiency: Ability to use ERP systems and Microsoft Office applications to analyze data, track purchasing activity, and monitor performance.

Education & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, chemistry, business administration, or a related field is preferred.
• Minimum of five years of purchasing experience, preferably in chemical manufacturing, distribution, or a related industry.
• At least two years of experience in a leadership or supervisory role.
• Experience developing purchasing strategies, managing supplier relationships, and negotiating pricing and commercial terms.
• Knowledge of chemical safety and regulatory requirements relevant to purchasing, including OSHA, REACH, TSCA, and SDS documentation.
• Experience using enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and Microsoft Office applications.