Strategic Purchasing Manager — Lead Supply Chain & Cost Savings

GridBridge, Inc.; Bolton Estates (TN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

ERMCO, a leading manufacturer of distribution transformers and electrical solutions, is seeking a Purchasing Manager in Greeneville, TN. You will lead strategic procurement for materials and services, build a dual-source supplier program, and manage a team of buyers to ensure material availability and cost efficiency.

You will collaborate with Operations, Engineering, Quality, and Finance to drive supply chain performance, negotiate contracts, monitor supplier performance, and champion ethical

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proven experience in procurement supervision—ideally as a Purchasing, Buyer, or Expeditor Lead, Supervisor, or Manager.
• Strong negotiation, supplier contract management, and strategic sourcing skills.
• Knowledge of supply chain principles, procurement best practices, and vendor relations.
• Analytical mindset with experience in cost analysis and procurement forecasting.
• Experience with sourcing tools, ERP/procurement systems, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Analytical and critical thinking skills. 8-D & 5 Why Root Cause Analysis is a plus.
• Experience in lean manufacturing & continuous improvement tools, Six Sigma is a plus.
• Strong people skills-you build trust with teams and vendors alike.
• Ability to manage priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge of relevant industry regulations and compliance standards.
• Ability to lead, develop, and inspire high-performing teams by strengthening the skills, capabilities, and engagement of direct reports to maximize their contribution to organizational success.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute procurement strategies that ensure material availability, support production requirements, and optimize cost, quality, and lead-time performance.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the purchasing team by establishing clear goals, performance metrics, and accountability while fostering collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Partner cross-functionally with Operations, Production, Engineering, Quality, Receiving, and Finance to support business objectives and drive supply chain performance.
• Build, maintain, and strengthen strategic supplier relationships, including driving a dual-source supplier strategy to enhance supply continuity, competitiveness, and risk mitigation.
• Negotiate supplier pricing, contracts, and commercial terms to maximize value, reduce risk, and achieve cost-saving objectives.
• Monitor supplier performance, market conditions, and industry trends to identify opportunities for continuous improvement, cost optimization, and supply assurance.
• Oversee the end-to-end procurement process, including purchase order management, supplier issue resolution, and compliance with company policies and ethical standards.
• Drive inventory optimization initiatives to maintain appropriate stock levels, reduce excess inventory and waste, and improve working capital performance.
• Lead vendor return, recovery, and escalation processes, including RMA management, supplier corrective actions, cost recovery, and expedited freight mitigation.
• Champion ethical sourcing, supplier diversity, and sustainable procurement practices across the supply base.
• Leverage ERP, MRP, procurement, and business intelligence systems to analyze data, monitor KPIs, improve decision-making, and enhance procurement effectiveness.
• Drive a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and operational excellence to deliver sustainable cost savings and long-term business value.

Skills

Negotiation

Strategic sourcing

Analytical thinking

People management

Vendor relations

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration / Supply Chain Management

Tools

ERP systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

ERMCO, a leading manufacturer of distribution transformers and electrical solutions, is seeking a Purchasing Manager in Greeneville, TN. You will lead strategic procurement for materials and services, build a dual-source supplier program, and manage a team of buyers to ensure material availability and cost efficiency.

You will collaborate with Operations, Engineering, Quality, and Finance to drive supply chain performance, negotiate contracts, monitor supplier performance, and champion ethical