Strategic Purchasing & Inventory Manager

Schaefer Plastics Na Llc; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Schaefer Plastics North America, LLC is seeking a Purchasing and Inventory Manager in Charlotte, NC to secure materials for production, optimize inventory turns, and strengthen supplier performance. You will lead procurement, negotiate terms, and drive cost improvements across resin, packaging, and component supply chains.

The role emphasizes strategic planning, cross‑functional collaboration, and data‑driven decisions to reduce working capital while maintaining service levels and production

Qualifications

• Five or more years of purchasing, inventory management, procurement, or supply chain experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience managing suppliers, negotiating terms, and identifying cost‑saving opportunities.
• Experience with inventory planning, demand forecasting, safety stock, and reorder‑point management.
• Working knowledge of ERP/MRP systems and purchasing processes.
• Strong analytical, organizational, negotiation, and problem‑solving skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications.

Responsibilities

• Lead the procurement of plastic resins, recycled materials, components, packaging, and other materials required for production.
• Negotiate pricing, contracts, payment terms, lead times, and supply agreements to improve margins and cash flow.
• Monitor supplier performance related to cost, quality, delivery, and responsiveness.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships while identifying opportunities for alternative sourcing and improved terms.
• Research market conditions, pricing trends, supply risks, and other economic developments that may affect material availability or cost.
• Identify and implement cost-reduction and sourcing improvement initiatives.
• Address supplier performance concerns and coordinate corrective actions when necessary.
• Optimize inventory levels, safety stock, reorder points, and purchasing quantities to improve inventory turns while maintaining appropriate service levels.
• Monitor material requirements, inventory balances, production schedules, forecasts, and open purchase orders.
• Reduce excess, obsolete, and slow-moving inventory.
• Identify inventory discrepancies, determine root causes, and coordinate corrective action.
• Maintain accurate purchasing and inventory information within the company’s ERP/MRP system.
• Review purchasing and inventory reports to identify shortages, excess inventory, cost variances, and improvement opportunities.
• Support inventory audits, cycle counts, and reconciliation activities as needed.
• Partner with Operations, Materials, Quality, Finance, Sales, Logistics, and other departments to ensure material availability and prevent production disruptions.
• Improve planning, forecasting, and supplier collaboration to reduce working capital requirements.
• Track procurement and inventory performance against established goals and key performance indicators.
• Provide regular updates regarding material availability, supplier performance, cost‑saving initiatives, and inventory risks.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis related to purchasing and inventory.
• Perform general clerical and administrative responsibilities, including data entry, maintaining purchasing and supplier records, preparing routine reports, processing documentation, and organizing procurement files.
• Perform other duties and support special projects as assigned.

Skills

Supplier management

Negotiation

Inventory planning

ERP/MRP

Data analysis

Excel skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations, Finance, or related field

Job description

Schaefer Plastics North America, LLC is seeking a Purchasing and Inventory Manager in Charlotte, NC to secure materials for production, optimize inventory turns, and strengthen supplier performance. You will lead procurement, negotiate terms, and drive cost improvements across resin, packaging, and component supply chains.

The role emphasizes strategic planning, cross‑functional collaboration, and data‑driven decisions to reduce working capital while maintaining service levels and production