Purchasing Manager

Grefort Electrical Inc.; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Grefort Electrical Inc. seeks a Purchasing Manager to lead procurement for materials, components, and equipment for power equipment manufacturing, focusing on reactors and transformers.

This role drives ground-up supply chain development, vendor certification, and standard workflows while ensuring high-quality materials at competitive prices and on-time delivery. Collaborating with R&D, production, engineering, and quality teams, the role manages supplier audits, performance reviews, and risk

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing material procurement and supply chain management.
• Start-up manufacturing environment experience preferred.
• Familiar with material characteristics, supply chain channels, prices and methods for transformers and reactors.
• Proficient in North American tariff rules and local US supplier development.
• Proficient in using ERP and supply chain systems.
• Ability to plan materials, control inventory, and coordinate delivery risks.

Responsibilities

• Lead the local and international supply chain network development for the new Wilson facility.
• Procure materials, components, and production equipment for reactors and transformers.
• Conduct RFQs, perform price comparisons, negotiate with suppliers, and finalize contracts to meet quality, cost, and delivery targets.
• Maintain and strengthen relationships with existing suppliers and assess performance.
• Identify and qualify new suppliers ensuring they meet company standards.
• Coordinate supplier audits, qualification processes, and sample approvals.
• Track material pricing trends and suggest cost optimization strategies.
• Collaborate with Quality to address incoming material inspection issues and correctives.
• Work with R&D, Production, Engineering, and Quality to ensure material availability for production and NPI.
• Ensure procurement activities comply with internal policies and applicable laws.

Skills

Negotiation

Supplier management

Cost optimization

ERP knowledge

Inventory planning

Risk management

Education

Bachelor's degree in supply chain, logistics, procurement or related engineering field

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

The Purchasing Manager is responsible for managing the procurement process for materials, components, and production equipment required for power equipment manufacturing, particularly reactors and transformers. As a critical "0-to-1" role, the ideal candidate will be heavily involved in ground-up supply chain development, vendor certification, and establishing procurement standard workflows. The role ensures the procurement of high-quality materials at competitive prices, while adhering to delivery schedules and compliance standards. This role also includes managing vendor relationships, optimizing costs, and coordinating cross-functional efforts between departments.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the "0-to-1" establishment of the local and international supply chain network for the new Wilson facility.
• Follow the company's procurement plan and execute procurement for materials, components, and production equipment for reactors and transformers.
• Conduct RFQs (Request for Quotation), perform price comparisons, negotiate with suppliers, and ensure contract finalization, all while meeting quality, cost, and delivery requirements.
• Maintain and strengthen relationships with existing suppliers, regularly assessing their performance in terms of quality, delivery, and price.
• Assist in the identification and qualification of new suppliers and ensure they meet company standards and requirements.
• Facilitate supplier audits, qualification processes, and sample approvals.
• Track trends in material pricing and suggest cost optimization strategies.
• Collaborate with the quality department to address issues related to incoming material inspections, quality non-conformance, and quality improvement actions.
• Work closely with R&D, production, engineering, and quality teams to ensure timely material availability for production and new product development needs.
• Support NPI (New Product Introduction) projects, ensuring on-time supplier sample deliveries, pilot material availability, and smooth transition to mass production.
• Ensure Procurement activities comply with internal company policies and relevant laws and regulations.
• Identify potential supply risks and develop and implement strategies to mitigate these risks.

Qualifications

• College degree or above, majoring in supply chain, logistics, procurement, or mechanical and electrical engineering.
• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing material procurement and supply chain management.
• Proven experience in a start-up manufacturing environment or building a supply chain from the ground up is highly preferred.
• Familiar with material characteristics, supply chain channels, prices, and supply methods in the transformer and reactor product.
• Proficient in North American tariff rules and local supplier development in the United States.
• Familiar with procurement cost accounting, negotiation, supplier evaluation, and performance management; proficient in using ERP and supply chain systems
• With the ability to plan materials, control inventory, and coordinate delivery risks.