Purchasing Manager

Appleton Finn; Town of Wausau, Stevens Point (WI, WI); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and dental insurance includingH

401(k) retirement plan with company 4%

Paid time off

Disability insurance (short & long)

Life insurance and AD&D

HSA and HRA options

Opportunities for professional growth

Supportive, team-oriented environment

Job summary

Appleton Finn is seeking a detail-oriented Purchasing Manager to lead material procurement and inventory accuracy for production. The role requires strong leadership, analytical thinking, and financial accountability to drive continuous improvement across purchasing processes.

The successful candidate will partner with production and suppliers to optimize inventory, negotiate favorable terms, and implement strategies that reduce aging and obsolescence while maintaining FIFO practices.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience in purchasing, inventory management, or related field.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, or related field (or equivalent).
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel and data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Oversee purchasing and inventory management to ensure material availability for production.
• Analyze schedules, material demand, purchasing history, and inventory trends to shape strategies.
• Manage purchase orders, material pricing, and purchasing records for cost efficiency.
• Develop and maintain supplier relationships; negotiate pricing and terms for savings.
• Implement strategies to reduce aging, excess, and obsolete inventory while FIFO is maintained.
• Resolve discrepancies and vendor credits to ensure inventory accuracy.
• Review production reports for accurate material usage, waste, and downtime reporting.
• Use Excel, Power BI, and internal systems to evaluate expenditures and consumption.
• Lead updates to warehouse barcode scanning and inventory tracking systems.

Skills

Procurement

Inventory management

Supplier relations

Data analysis

ERP systems

Excel

Power BI

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business / Supply Chain or related

Tools

ERP systems

Inventory management software

Job description

Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Position Overview

We are seeking a detail-oriented, analytical, and results-driven Purchasing Manager to lead material procurement and inventory management.

This role strategically manages purchasing and inventory accuracy for production while requiring strong leadership, sound judgment, financial accountability, and a commitment to problem-solving and continuous improvement.

The Purchasing Manager partners with production and suppliers to manage purchasing, optimize inventory, reduce costs, and improve efficiency and accountability.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee purchasing and inventory management to ensure material availability and support production requirements.
• Analyze production schedules, material demand, purchasing history, and inventory trends to develop effective purchasing and inventory strategies.
• Manage purchase orders, material pricing, and purchasing records to ensure accuracy and cost efficiency.
• Develop and maintain supplier relationships, negotiate competitive pricing and terms, and identify opportunities for cost savings.
• Develop and implement strategies to reduce aging, excess, and obsolete inventory while maintaining proper FIFO (First In, First Out) inventory practices.
• Ensure inventory accuracy by resolving discrepancies, allocation errors, and vendor credits for defective materials.
• Review and analyze production reports to ensure accurate reporting of material usage, waste, downtime, and job assignments.
• Utilize Excel, Power BI, and internal reporting systems to evaluate purchasing expenditures, inventory performance, and material consumption.
• Lead the implementation and ongoing development of warehouse barcode scanning and inventory tracking systems.

Qualifications

• 3 to 5 years of experience in purchasing, inventory management, supply chain management, or a related field preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including analyzing and interpreting large datasets.
• Experience with Power BI, ERP systems, or inventory management software preferred.
• Exceptional attention to detail, supported by strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of inventory management principles, including FIFO, inventory turnover, and material forecasting.
• Demonstrated ability to make independent decisions, manage competing priorities, and take ownership of operational results.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively across departments and with external suppliers.
• Ability to identify operational inefficiencies, develop practical solutions, and successfully implement process improvements.
• Self-motivated, adaptable, and comfortable working in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Competitive compensation
• Company-paid short-term disability, long-term disability, life insurance, and AD&D coverage
• Paid time off
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Health and dental insurance, including HSA and HRA options
• Opportunities for professional growth and advancement
• Supportive, team-oriented work environment