Purchasing Manager

VERDA Water Quality Systems; St. Johnsbury (VT); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Accommodation available

Online/Remote accommodation support

Job summary

VERDA Water Quality Systems is seeking a Purchasing Manager to oversee procurement of materials, equipment, and services while ensuring ISO quality management compliance. This role collaborates with Finance, Engineering, Manufacturing, and Inventory teams to align purchasing with strategic priorities and customer commitments.

The role requires hands-on management of POs, supplier performance, and process improvements to drive efficiency and cost savings across the supply chain.

Qualifications

• Experience in purchasing, procurement, or supply chain management.
• Knowledge of purchasing procedures, vendor management, inventory controls, and procurement documentation.
• Experience with accounting, purchasing, or ERP systems.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Outlook.
• Strong organizational, analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• High accuracy, accountability, and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily purchasing activities including sourcing, pricing, ordering, tracking, and issue resolution.
• Prepare, issue, and maintain purchase orders per procedures and authorization.
• Evaluate requests for necessity, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness before placing orders.
• Obtain quotes, negotiate pricing and terms, identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Monitor PO status, supplier lead times, and delivery schedules to ensure material availability.
• Coordinate purchasing priorities with Engineering, Manufacturing, Service, and other departments.
• Maintain Approved Vendor List and ensure purchases from authorized suppliers.
• Support ISO compliance and quality management in purchasing processes.

Skills

Purchasing

Vendor management

Excel

Analytical

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in supply chain or related field

Tools

ERP systems

MS Excel

Job description

About the Role: The Purchasing Manager is responsible for overseeing and executing the Company's purchasing activities to ensure the timely, cost-effective, and compliant procurement of materials, equipment, supplies, and services. This hands-on position manages vendor relationships, purchasing processes, purchase orders, and procurement documentation while supporting inventory accuracy, operational efficiency, and compliance with ISO quality management requirements.

Working closely with Finance, Engineering, Manufacturing, Service, and Inventory Management, the Purchasing Manager ensures that purchasing decisions support operational priorities, financial objectives, and customer commitments.

Essential Job Functions:

Purchasing and Procurement

• Manage daily purchasing activities, including sourcing, pricing, ordering, tracking, and resolving procurement issues.
• Prepare, issue, and maintain purchase orders in accordance with established Company procedures and authorization requirements.
• Evaluate purchasing requests to ensure necessity, accuracy, cost-effectiveness, and appropriate approvals before placing orders.
• Obtain competitive quotes, negotiate pricing and terms, and identify opportunities for cost savings.
• Monitor outstanding purchase orders, supplier lead times, and delivery schedules to ensure materials and equipment are available when needed.
• Coordinate purchasing priorities with Engineering, Manufacturing, Service, Water Quality, Clinical Services, and other departments.
• Resolve discrepancies involving pricing, quantities, delivery dates, damaged goods, and supplier performance.
• Identify opportunities to consolidate purchases, reduce costs, and improve procurement efficiency.

Vendor and Supplier Management

• Develop and maintain effective relationships with existing and prospective suppliers.
• Maintain the Company's Approved Vendor List and ensure purchases are made only from authorized suppliers unless an exception has been properly approved.
• Evaluate suppliers based on quality, pricing, reliability, delivery performance, and compliance with Company requirements.
• Maintain supplier documentation, including agreements, quotations, certifications, and performance evaluations.
• Address vendor performance concerns and coordinate corrective actions when necessary.
• Identify alternative suppliers to reduce purchasing risks and strengthen supply chain reliability.

ISO Compliance and Quality Management

• Ensure purchasing activities comply with the Company's ISO quality management system, established procedures, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Maintain accurate and complete purchasing records to support internal and external audits.
• Ensure suppliers are evaluated, approved, and monitored in accordance with established quality standards.
• Verify that purchase orders clearly communicate applicable specifications, quality requirements, and delivery expectations.
• Coordinate with Quality Management to address supplier nonconformances, corrective actions, and documentation requirements.
• Participate in ISO audits and support continuous improvement of purchasing policies, procedures, and controls.
• Develop, maintain, and update purchasing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and associated records.

Inventory and Receiving Coordination

• Collaborate with the Inventory Coordinator to maintain appropriate inventory levels and ensure the availability of critical materials and supplies.
• Review inventory needs, reorder points, and purchasing forecasts to minimize shortages and unnecessary excess inventory.
• Coordinate with Receiving personnel to ensure incoming shipments are accurately documented and discrepancies are promptly resolved.
• Support accurate recording of purchased materials within the Company's inventory and accounting systems.
• Assist in identifying obsolete, excess, or slow-moving inventory and recommend appropriate purchasing adjustments.
• Coordinate with Finance to resolve discrepancies between purchase orders, receiving records, and vendor invoices.

Financial Management and Process Improvement

• Monitor purchasing expenditures and ensure procurement decisions align with established budgets and financial objectives.
• Provide accurate purchasing information and documentation to support accounts payable, financial reporting, and inventory valuation.
• Identify and implement opportunities to streamline purchasing workflows, reduce manual processes, and improve operational efficiency.
• Develop and monitor purchasing performance indicators, including supplier delivery performance, cost savings, purchase order accuracy, and procurement lead times.
• Support purchasing forecasts, cash flow planning, and other financial initiatives as requested.
• Maintain appropriate internal controls, including purchasing authorization requirements and segregation of duties.
• Prepare reports and analyses for management regarding purchasing activity, supplier performance, and opportunities for improvement.

Required Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience in purchasing, procurement, supply chain management, or a related field.
• Strong understanding of purchasing procedures, vendor management, inventory controls, and procurement documentation.
• Experience working with accounting, purchasing, or enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel and Outlook.
• Strong organizational, analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, and respond effectively to changing operational needs.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• High degree of accuracy, accountability, professionalism, and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across departments.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in a manufacturing, engineering, healthcare equipment, or technical service environment.
• Familiarity with ISO 9001 quality management requirements and supplier qualification procedures.
• Experience with inventory management, purchasing controls, and process improvement.
• Experience enterprise resource inventory management software.

Physical Environment & Work Conditions:

The physical and environmental requirements below represent the essential functions of the position and can be performed with or without reasonable accommodation:

• The regular schedule typically follows an 8-hour workday, Monday through Friday, with general availability expected between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM Eastern.
• Occasional scheduling flexibility will be required to meet financial needs.
• Primarily performed in an office environment, with occasional work in manufacturing and operational areas.
• Requires prolonged periods of sitting, standing, and working at a computer.
• Must be able to occasionally lift, carry, and move equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
• May requires occasional bending, kneeling, and reaching.
• May require occasional work outside normal business hours to address urgent issues

These conditions reflect the typical demands of the role but do not exclude reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals.

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Mobile Medical International Corporation reserves the right to amend or change duties and responsibilities as necessary.

Why Join Our Team: At MMIC/VERDA, you'll be part of a collaborative and innovative team dedicated to delivering high-quality healthcare solutions. As our Purchasing Manager, you'll play a vital role in supporting our operations, strengthening supplier relationships, and ensuring the materials and resources needed for success are available. We offer an opportunity to make a meaningful impact, drive process improvements, and contribute to the continued growth and success of our organization.

• Available Accommodation: If you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for this job, participate in the selection process, or perform the essential functions of the role, please contact Jenna Hurd [e-mail] for assistance. The successful candidate must be able to perform the essential functions of this job, with or without reasonable accommodation.