Senior Purchasing Manager

Theuniversityunion; Clayton (MO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Theuniversityunion is seeking a Senior Purchasing Manager to lead procurement for construction, capital, and operational projects. You will build and execute purchasing plans, negotiate with vendors, and ensure high-quality, on-time delivery.

Reporting to the COO, you will partner with Legal, Finance, Engineering, and Operations, scale the purchasing function, and strengthen supplier relationships in a fast-paced startup environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, or related field preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of purchasing experience, with a focus on project purchasing, commodities (construction/capital projects required).
• Proven ability to negotiate and manage vendor relationships.
• Experience in metals, processing, or resource-based industries.
• Familiarity with procurement software or ERP systems (SAP preferred).
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Experience building or scaling a purchasing function.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Proactive, detail-oriented, and strategic mindset.
• Comfortable in a fast-paced, high-growth startup environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead procurement activities for construction, capital, and operational projects.
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve comprehensive purchasing plans, policies, and procedures.
• Source, negotiate, and manage vendors for materials, equipment, and services, ensuring high quality and timely delivery.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders including Legal, Finance, Engineering, and Operations to meet purchasing requirements.
• Monitor supplier performance, identify risks, and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Maintain accurate procurement documentation, track metrics, and provide regular reporting to leadership.
• Support the establishment of purchasing strategy and long-term departmental growth.
• Ensure compliance with company standards, government contracts, and applicable regulations.
• Build and mentor team members as the department expands.

Skills

Purchasing

Vendor management

Negotiation

Project purchasing

Construction

Capital projects

SAP

ERP systems

Analytical skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Startup environment

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain/Business

Tools

SAP

Job description

• Location 7733 Forsyth Boulevard,Ste. 1600,Clayton, MO, 63105,United States

Description

The SR Purchasing Manager will lead procurement function, managing the acquisition of materials, equipment, and services for both operational and capital projects. This role is critical to ensuring cost-effective, high-quality procurement in support of ongoing growth initiatives.

The successful candidate will demonstrate strong project purchasing experience, strategic thinking, and the ability to collaborate across multiple stakeholders while building and shaping the company’s purchasing operations. This role reports directly to the COO, with high upward growth potential.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, or related field preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of purchasing experience, with a focus on project purchasing, commodities (construction/capital projects required).
• Proven ability to negotiate and manage vendor relationships.
• Experience in metals, processing, or resource-based industries.
• Familiarity with procurement software or ERP systems (SAP preferred).
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Experience building or scaling a purchasing function.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Proactive, detail-oriented, and strategic mindset.
• Comfortable in a fast-paced, high-growth startup environment.

Summary

Key Responsibilities

• Lead procurement activities for construction, capital, and operational projects.
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve comprehensive purchasing plans, policies, and procedures.
• Source, negotiate, and manage vendors for materials, equipment, and services, ensuring high quality and timely delivery.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders including Legal, Finance, Engineering, and Operations to meet purchasing requirements.
• Monitor supplier performance, identify risks, and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Maintain accurate procurement documentation, track metrics, and provide regular reporting to leadership.
• Support the establishment of purchasing strategy and long-term departmental growth.
• Ensure compliance with company standards, government contracts, and applicable regulations.
• Build and mentor team members as the department expands.