Purchasing Manager

Lumbermens; Michigan; On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ESOP

Insurance package

401(k)

Paid time off

Training and development

Advancement opportunities

Clothing allowance

Job summary

Lumbermen’s, headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is seeking a purchasing leader to define and execute strategies for the building materials segment. You will lead the purchasing team, build vendor relationships, and drive cost reductions while ensuring supply continuity across multiple locations.

Ideal candidates have a bachelor’s degree in a related field and 1–3 years of leadership and purchasing experience, with strong analytical, negotiation, and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, logistics, or business or commensurate experience strongly desired.
• 1–3 years’ leadership experience.
• 1–3 years’ experience in purchasing and/or inventory control.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership for the purchasing team and model Lumbermen’s MVP.
• Develop, lead, and execute purchasing strategies.
• Maintain vendor relationships and negotiate contracts with suppliers.
• Forecasting, data analysis, and cost reduction initiatives.
• Organize training on new products and collaborate with procurement.

Skills

Supplier analysis

Cost analysis

Negotiation

Organization

Strategic thinking

Decision making

Communication

MS Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management

Tools

MS Office

Job description

WHO WE ARE:

Headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan since 1955, Lumbermen’s operates in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Minnesota. A leading distributor and manufacturer, we are driven by our mission to enrich lives by intentionally caring for all who experience us. We are employee owned and relationship powered.

POSITION SUMMARY

Based in Byron Center, the person in this role defines and executes the purchasing strategy for the building materials segment. This position balances relationship building, execution, and leadership, offering opportunities to drive sales and profitability every day. Day‑to‑day responsibilities include:

• Providing overall leadership and direction for the purchasing team while modeling Lumbermen’s MVP
• Recruiting, hiring, training and developing a best‑in‑class team
• Managing, providing ongoing feedback to, and facilitating performance check‑ins for direct reports
• Building and fostering strong vendor relationships
• Developing, leading, and executing purchasing strategies
• Effectively determining quantity and timing of product deliveries
• Conducting forecasting and data analysis
• Negotiating contracts with key suppliers, including costs and terms of supply, service, and quality
• Working with vendors to place orders and negotiate promotions
• Managing vendor rebate programs
• Analyzing and calculating procurement costs and developing cost reduction strategies
• Driving purchasing decisions based on cost and scenario analysis, as well as market trends
• Conducting market research, as well as creating cost estimates and forecasts
• Assessing, managing, and mitigating risk
• Communicating and rolling out programs to respective teams
• Maintaining accurate inventory of part numbers in all locations
• Working with leadership to conduct product line reviews
• Collaborating with the procurement department to identify and pursue new supplier opportunities
• Selecting suppliers that can act as long‑term partners and help the company meet its growth objectives
• Evaluating sourcing procedures and presenting improvement strategies to senior management for approval
• Organizing/facilitating training on new products
• Other duties and tasks as assigned

At Lumbermen’s, our mission is to intentionally care for people. Ideal candidates for this role possess strong strategic leadership skills and are motivated by the opportunity to facilitate the purchasing process from beginning to end. They are very detail‑oriented and results‑focused. As a leader, they are driven by the opportunity to build strong teams and foster individual and team growth to, in turn, deliver exceptional results.

REQUIRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, logistics, or business or commensurate experience strongly desired
• 1‑3 years’ leadership experience
• 1‑3 years’ experience in purchasing and/or inventory control

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Analytical abilities to assess the performance of suppliers against criteria such as quality, cost, reliability, ability to innovate and financial stability
• Financial skills to assess the total cost of dealing with a supplier, including price and factors such as the costs of delivery, administration, quality control and inventory
• Advanced ability to collaborate and negotiate
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Exceptional analytical and strategic thinking abilities
• Driver of processes
• Strong internal motivation
• Ability to make decisions independently
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Inclination to handle tasks with a sense of responsibility and urgency
• Ability to effectively manage conflict while maintaining good relationships
• Ability to work independently and with others
• Intermediate or above proficiency in MS Office products (Word, Excel, Outlook)

WHAT WE OFFER:

Lumbermen’s exists to enrich the lives of people by intentionally caring for all who experience us. You will experience a different kind of work environment and “family” here and help live out the Lumbermen’s promises of committing to those who count on us, doing what’s right, exercising sound business practices and earning consideration. Other benefits include:

• A collaborative and supportive work environment
• ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) – generous company‑funded retirement
• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
• Flexible spending/health savings account
• 401(k)
• The SOURCE – free and confidential support resources for our team
• Clothing allowance (for applicable roles)
• Paid time off
• Paid holidays
• Training and development
• Advancement opportunities

Lumbermen’s is proud to be a drug and alcohol‑free workplace. In addition, Lumbermen’s will not discriminate against any employee or candidate because of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. We participate in E‑Verify.