Purchasing Manager

LotusLynx; Rockford (IL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

LotusLynx is seeking a procurement leader to lead a team of Buyers and Purchasing professionals in Rockford, IL. This role will oversee end-to-end PO lifecycle, optimize supplier performance, and align purchasing with production needs.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in procurement, experience managing staff, hands-on ERP/MRP proficiency, strong data analysis skills, and willingness to travel up to 30% domestically to support supplier relationships and continuous improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive procurement or supply chain experience.
• 2+ years of experience leading or supervising staff.
• Proven experience developing buyers or procurement professionals.
• Hands-on experience with ERP/MRP and procurement systems.
• Strong knowledge of PO lifecycle, supplier management, and inventory.
• Advanced Excel and data-analysis skills with ability to interpret data.
• Experience managing supplier performance and solving material/delivery issues.
• Excellent cross-functional communication and stakeholder management.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and time-sensitive needs.
• Willingness to travel ~30% domestically.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of Buyers and Purchasing professionals.
• Oversee end-to-end PO lifecycle including requisitions, PO creation, delivery tracking.
• Monitor open POs and address late deliveries proactively.
• Lead escalations to minimize production disruptions for critical material needs.
• Monitor supplier performance across delivery, quality, pricing, and compliance.
• Lead supplier performance reviews and corrective actions as needed.
• Partner with Manufacturing, Operations, Materials, Warehouse, Finance, and Engineering.
• Support inventory optimization by balancing orders, demand, and lead times.
• Establish and monitor procurement KPIs such as on-time delivery and cost savings.
• Analyze purchasing data to identify risks, trends, and improvement opportunities.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives for cost reduction and efficiency.
• Maintain procurement data within ERP and ensure policy compliance.
• Collaborate with Strategic Sourcing on supplier performance and pricing.
• Support purchasing operations during growth, process changes, and ERP upgrades.

Skills

Leadership

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Travel willingness

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Procurement software

Excel

Job description

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of Buyers and Purchasing professionals, including goal setting, performance management, training, workload management, and career development.
• Oversee the end to end purchase order lifecycle, including requisition review, PO creation, order confirmation, delivery tracking, and issue resolution.
• Monitor open purchase orders and proactively address late, past due, or at risk deliveries.
• Lead escalations involving urgent or critical material requirements to minimize production disruptions.
• Monitor supplier performance across delivery, quality, responsiveness, pricing, and compliance.
• Lead supplier performance reviews and corrective actions when necessary.
• Partner with Manufacturing, Operations, Materials, Warehouse, Finance, and Engineering to align purchasing activities with production schedules, demand, and inventory requirements.
• Support inventory optimization by balancing order quantities, lead times, demand forecasts, MRP requirements, and supplier capacity.
• Establish and monitor procurement KPIs, including on time delivery, PO cycle time, supplier performance, cost savings, and service levels.
• Analyze purchasing and operational data to identify risks, trends, and opportunities for improvement.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on cost reduction, process efficiency, supplier performance, system utilization, and waste reduction.
• Maintain accurate procurement data within ERP and purchasing systems while ensuring compliance with internal controls and purchasing policies.
• Partner with Strategic Sourcing and Category Management on supplier performance, material availability, pricing, lead times, and other operational considerations.
• Support purchasing operations through periods of organizational growth, process change, and ERP or system implementations.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive experience in procurement, purchasing, supply chain, or a related function.
• 2+ years of experience leading, supervising, or managing employees.
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing Buyers, Purchasing Specialists, or similar procurement professionals.
• Hands on experience with ERP, MRP, and/or procurement systems.
• Strong understanding of the complete purchase order lifecycle, supplier management, inventory management, and basic logistics.
• Strong Excel and data analysis skills with the ability to interpret purchasing and operational data.
• Experience managing supplier performance and resolving material, delivery, and purchasing issues.
• Strong cross functional communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and respond effectively to time sensitive operational needs.
• Ability and willingness to travel approximately 30% (or less) domestically

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with MRP, demand planning, or production planning systems.
• Experience developing or managing supplier scorecards and supplier performance programs.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing or continuous improvement initiatives.
• Experience leading purchasing teams through growth, restructuring, process improvement, or ERP/system implementations.
• CPSM, CIPS, CPM, or similar procurement or supply chain certification.