Purchasing Manager - PVF & Plumbing

First Supply LLC; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

First Supply LLC, a long-standing family-owned distributor based in Madison, WI, seeks a Purchasing Manager for PVF & Plumbing to lead purchasing teams, optimize inventory, and execute strategic supplier programs. You will partner with sales, operations, and finance to ensure product availability and strong vendor performance.

The role requires a collaborative, hands-on leader with 5+ years in purchasing/inventory and at least 2 years in leadership, plus strong Excel and ERP skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field is preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years in purchasing, procurement, inventory, or supply chain.
• At least 2 years in leadership or supervisory roles.
• Strong understanding of purchasing processes and supplier management.
• Proven ability to drive accountability in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent negotiation and relationship management skills.
• Advanced Excel and ERP system proficiency.
• Experience with analytics and BI tools to support decisions.

Responsibilities

• Lead PVF and Plumbing purchasing teams to ensure accuracy and optimal inventory levels.
• Develop buyers through coaching, training, and succession planning.
• Track performance metrics like fill rate, PO accuracy, and stock levels.
• Staff and onboard the PVF and Plumbing purchasing teams in partnership with HR.
• Standardize buying practices to align with procurement strategy.
• Oversee replenishment across branches and distribution centers.
• Execute procurement strategies, rebate thresholds, and stocking programs.
• Collaborate with Channel Directors to implement vendor strategies.
• Manage vendor relationships, lead times, backorders, and returns.
• Monitor price updates and ensure data integrity in ERP.
• Support forecasting, demand planning, and supply risk management.
• Partner with sales, operations, finance, and branches to meet customer needs.

Skills

Purchasing processes

Inventory management

Leadership / people development

Data-driven decision making

Vendor management

Negotiation & relationships

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Excel proficiency

ERP systems experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, or related field

Tools

ERP systems

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Overview

First Supply, a fifth-generation family-owned company, has served the Upper Midwest for over 125 years. Guided by our Employee Value Proposition,Where Tradition Meets Innovation, we foster a workplace where people learn, grow, and contribute to a company that values its heritage while embracing progress. Our teams take pride in supporting customers and communities, creating meaningful work and rewarding careers every day.

First Supply is seeking an experienced Purchasing Manager - PVF & Plumbing to lead our purchasing teams supporting the Pipe, Valves & Fittings (PVF) and Plumbing product categories. This role is responsible for translating our procurement and vendor strategies into strong day-to-day execution, ensuring the right products are available to support our customers, branches, and distribution operations.

We're looking for a collaborative, hands-on leader with strong purchasing and inventory management experience who can develop teams, drive accountability, strengthen supplier performance, and use data to make sound business decisions. This role partners closely with procurement, channel leadership, sales, operations, and finance to support inventory health, product availability, and an exceptional customer experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop the PVF and Plumbing purchasing teams; set daily priorities and hold the team accountable for purchasing accuracy, inventory levels, and service.
• Develop individual buyers through regular one-on-ones, coaching, and documented development plans; identify skill gaps and build training, cross-training, and succession depth across both channels.
• Establish, track, and review team and individual performance metrics, including fill rate, PO accuracy, expedite volume, past-due POs, and excess and obsolete inventory; use results to coach, recognize, and correct performance.
• Own staffing for the PVF and Plumbing purchasing teams, including hiring, onboarding, workload balancing, and performance reviews in partnership with HR.
• Drive standard work and consistent buying practices across both teams so the Director of Procurement's strategy is executed the same way regardless of buyer or channel.
• Oversee daily replenishment across branches and distribution center, ensuring purchase orders align with established inventory plans, forecasts, and vendor agreements.
• Execute procurement strategies, vendor programs, and initiatives set by the Director of Procurement, including rebate thresholds, freight minimums, stocking programs, and promotional buys.
• Partner with the PVF and Plumbing Channel Directors to translate each channel’s vendor strategy into buying decisions, stocking positions, and vendor program execution that support channel growth priorities.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for purchasing, inventory, supplier, and operational issues within PVF and Plumbing.
• Manage day-to-day vendor relationships, including lead times, backorders, expedites, receiving discrepancies, and returns; monitor vendor performance and support vendor reviews.
• Ensure vendor price increases and cost updates are processed accurately and on time.
• Maintain inventory health by monitoring fill rates, turns, and stockouts, and acting on excess slow-moving, and obsolete stock through transfers, returns, or markdown requests.
• Provide oversight for special orders, direct shipments, and project buys in partnership with sales and branch teams.
• Partner with sales, operations, inventory management, finance, and branch leadership to align purchasing decisions with customer and business needs.
• Track and report purchasing, inventory, and supplier performance metrics; flag trends, risks, and improvement opportunities to procurement leadership.
• Maintain consistent purchasing processes, standard work, accurate item, cost, and vendor data in the ERP system.
• Support forecasting, demand planning, and supply risk management for assigned categories.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive purchasing, procurement, inventory management, or supply chain experience.
• Minimum of 2 years of leadership, supervisory, or team lead experience preferred.
• Strong understanding of purchasing processes, inventory management principles, supplier management, and procurement best practices.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams and drive accountability in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to make data-driven decisions.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and experience with ERP, purchasing, and inventory management systems.
• Experience utilizing reporting, analytics, and business intelligence tools to support decision-making.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail and operational excellence.
• Proven ability to build collaborative relationships across departments and with external supplier partners.

About First Supply

First Supply® is a leading main channel wholesale distributor, providing industrial customers and building contractors with an extensive line of products and services. We offer a wide range of manufacturer product lines across the plumbing, heating, air conditioning, builder, waterworks, pump/well & septic, industrial, and municipal markets. Headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, First Supply has more than 700 employees across 29 operating facilities serving Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, and Michigan.

First Supply also owns and operates 18 Kitchen & Bath Stores across five Midwestern states under the Gerhard's Kitchen, Bath & Lighting and KOHLER® Signature Store by First Supply brands. Gerhard's is the largest, most versatile kitchen and bath store in the Upper Midwest, offering a wide variety of styles - from contemporary to traditional - along with unmatched service. The KOHLER Signature Stores are immersive kitchen and bath showrooms that provide a distinguished experience where designers and homeowners can get hands-on with hundreds of exclusive KOHLER products.

With a 128-year legacy and a people-first culture, First Supply is committed to building a workplace where employees feel valued, supported, and inspired to grow their careers. That commitment has earned national recognition, including a spot on USA Today's 2024 Top Workplaces in the USA, as well as honors as a Woman-Led Top Workplace and an Industry Top Workplace for Distribution.

First Supply LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.