Purchasing Manager

Waters Corporation; New Castle (DE); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Waters Corporation is seeking a Purchasing Manager to oversee procurement activities in the Material Science Division. This role emphasizes efficient material availability and order execution, ensuring manufacturing operations run smoothly.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree and over 5 years of purchasing experience in a manufacturing setting. Join a team committed to delivering innovative solutions in life sciences.

Waters is dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion, fostering a collaborative environment for all employees.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of direct materials purchasing or buyer/planner experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Proven ability to manage inventory levels to meet service and capital targets.
• Strong relevant analytical and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end purchasing of direct/raw materials.
• Own inventory levels for all raw material to balance service level and working capital.
• Drive reduction of excess and slow-moving inventory.

Skills

Strong experience in MRP-driven environments

Materials purchasing

Supplier coordination

Inventory performance management

Education

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

Tools

MRP/ERP systems (especially SAP, Oracle)

Job description

Overview

The Purchasing Manager is responsible for the day-to-day execution of procurement activities supporting manufacturing operations at Material Science Division of Waters. This role focuses on material availability, order execution, supplier coordination, and inventory performance, ensuring uninterrupted production while meeting cost and working capital objectives.

Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end purchasing of direct/raw materials (e.g., metals, electronic components, plastics, assemblies)
• Own inventory levels for all raw material to balance service level and working capital targets.
• Drive reduction of excess and slow-moving inventory
• Ensure purchase price accuracy and support cost tracking against standard costs
• Identify and elevate cost increases or supply risks
• Continuously improve purchasing processes, data accuracy, and ERP system utilization
• Support supplier recovery plans and ensure timely follow-up on corrective actions

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• 5+ years of direct materials purchasing or buyer/planner experience in a manufacturing environment
• Strong experience working in MRP-driven environments

Company Description

Waters Corporation (NYSE:WAT) is a global leader in life sciences and diagnostics, dedicated to accelerating the benefits of pioneering science through analytical technologies, informatics, and service. With a focus on regulated, high-volume testing environments, our innovative portfolio harnesses deep scientific expertise across chemistry, physics, and biology. We collaborate with customers around the world to advance the release of effective, high-quality medicines, ensure the safety of food and water, and drive better patient outcomes by detecting diseases earlier, managing routine infections, and combating antibiotic resistance. Through a shared culture of relentless innovation, our passionate team of ~16,000 colleagues turn scientific challenges into breakthroughs that improve lives worldwide.

Diversity and inclusion are fundamental to our core values at Waters Corporation. It benefits our employees, our products, our customers and our community. Waters complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws. Qualified applicants are considered without regard to sex, race, color, ancestry, national origin, citizenship status, religion, age, marital status (including civil unions), military service, veteran status, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions), genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, legally recognized disability, domestic violence victim status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Waters is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. All hiring decisions are based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.

Key Words

Strategic sourcing Supplier management / vendor management Cost reduction / cost savings initiatives Spend analysis RFQ / RFP / RFI Purchase orders (POs) Inventory management Demand planning / forecasting BOM (Bill of Materials) management MRP / ERP systems (especially SAP, Oracle) Component sourcing (electronics, mechanical parts, raw materials) Lean manufacturing / Six Sigma exposure