Strategic Purchasing Leader – Manufacturing

Aston Carter; Elizabeth City (NC); On-site; USD 85,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Paid time off

Holidays

Job summary

Aston Carter is seeking a Purchasing Manager for on-site leadership of procurement in Elizabeth City, NC. You will oversee the purchasing strategy to meet production needs, cost targets, and inventory goals, while guiding a team of buyers.

Lead supplier relationships, negotiate major contracts, and drive cost-reduction initiatives across the supply base. Collaborate with production, quality, engineering, and finance to forecast demand and ensure compliance with quality standards.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a purchasing leadership role within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with Sage software or comparable ERP modules.
• Strong track record of vendor negotiation and supplier management at a strategic level.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop a purchasing team.
• Solid understanding of supply chain principles, cost analysis, and inventory management.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute purchasing strategy aligned with production needs, cost targets, and inventory goals.
• Lead, mentor, and manage purchasing agents/buyers, setting priorities and reviewing performance.
• Own key supplier relationships, negotiating major contracts, pricing agreements, and terms.
• Evaluate, qualify, and onboard new suppliers; manage supplier performance scorecards.
• Oversee purchase order flow, delivery tracking, and resolution of supply disruptions.
• Manage purchasing data and reporting within Sage software, ensuring accuracy across the team.
• Partner with production, quality, engineering, and finance to forecast demand and manage lead times.
• Identify and lead cost-reduction and process-improvement initiatives across the supply base.
• Ensure purchasing practices support company specifications, quality standards, and compliance requirements.
• Maintain purchasing documentation and supplier records in line with quality system requirements.

Skills

Purchasing leadership

Vendor negotiation

Team leadership

Supply chain knowledge

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical/problem solving

Cost reduction

Tools

Sage ERP

Job description

Aston Carter is seeking a Purchasing Manager for on-site leadership of procurement in Elizabeth City, NC. You will oversee the purchasing strategy to meet production needs, cost targets, and inventory goals, while guiding a team of buyers.

Lead supplier relationships, negotiate major contracts, and drive cost-reduction initiatives across the supply base. Collaborate with production, quality, engineering, and finance to forecast demand and ensure compliance with quality standards.