Strategic Purchasing Lead – Auto Manufacturing

Vector Talent Solutions; West Point (GA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Vector Talent Solutions is seeking a Purchasing Assistant Manager in West Point, Georgia, to lead purchasing operations for a manufacturing client. You will oversee supplier selection, pricing negotiations, procurement planning, inventory control, and compliance with U.S.

customs regulations while supporting production and new product development. The ideal candidate has 3–5 years of purchasing or SCM experience, a four-year degree (master's preferred), strong leadership and analytical skills,

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of purchasing or SCM experience required.
• High school diploma or GED and a four-year degree required; a master's degree in business, management, or engineering is preferred.
• Knowledge of U.S. customs regulations and experience with purchasing systems in the United States.
• Experience with supplier management, purchasing negotiations, procurement planning, inventory control, and material cost management.
• Strong leadership, analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and resolve issues effectively.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook; experience with SAP, VAATZ, and CAD is preferred.
• Must be eligible to work in the United States, at least 18 years old, and able to meet pre-employment screening requirements. Must be flexible to work overtime, occasional weekends, and travel domestically or internationally as needed.

Responsibilities

• Lead purchasing activities for production materials, including budget planning, requisition reviews, supplier selection, purchase order placement, and follow-up.
• Negotiate material pricing, contract terms, and purchasing agreements with vendors while identifying cost-saving opportunities and supporting profitability goals.
• Research and evaluate new suppliers for localization, production capabilities, quality systems, pricing, and delivery performance.
• Monitor supplier performance, manage material shortages and inventory, coordinate engineering changes, and ensure suppliers meet project timelines and production requirements.
• Maintain accurate material pricing records, reconcile pricing information with SAP, review vendor statements, resolve payment discrepancies, and coordinate timely vendor payments.
• Ensure compliance with U.S. customs regulations and maintain country-of-origin documentation and NAFTA/USMCA-related traceability information for imported materials.
• Collaborate with Quality, Machining, Assembly, Production Control, and other departments to support mass production, manage PPAP activities, achieve purchasing KPIs, and implement corrective actions to prevent recurring quality issues.

Skills

Purchasing

Supply Chain

Leadership

Analytical

Problem Solving

Inventory Management

Communication

Education

High school diploma or GED

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree in business/management/engineering

Tools

SAP

CAD

VAATZ

Job description

Vector Talent Solutions is seeking a Purchasing Assistant Manager in West Point, Georgia, to lead purchasing operations for a manufacturing client. You will oversee supplier selection, pricing negotiations, procurement planning, inventory control, and compliance with U.S.

customs regulations while supporting production and new product development. The ideal candidate has 3–5 years of purchasing or SCM experience, a four-year degree (master's preferred), strong leadership and analytical skills,