Strategic Purchasing Manager – Materials & Suppliers

Nikkiso Cryogenic Industries; Murrieta (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Nikkiso Clean Energy & Industrial Gases is seeking a Purchasing Manager to lead the day-to-day procurement functions supporting production, quality, inventory, and cost objectives. You will supervise Buyers I-III, drive supplier performance, negotiate terms, and align purchasing with planning, engineering, and manufacturing.

This role requires hands-on leadership in a manufacturing setting and offers growth within the Nikkiso procurement organization.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in purchasing, procurement, or supply chain within a manufacturing environment.
• Previous experience leading, supervising, or managing purchasing personnel.
• Strong understanding of production purchasing, MRP-driven procurement, MRO, supplies, services, and outside processing.
• Demonstrated experience managing supplier delivery, pricing, performance, and escalations.
• Strong knowledge of ERP/MRP systems, purchasing reports, purchase orders, and supplier data.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, bills of material, specifications, and technical purchasing requirements.
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, develop, and provide daily direction to the purchasing team.
• Establish priorities and balance workloads based on production requirements, material shortages, supplier risks, and business needs.
• Establish clear expectations, accountability, and performance standards for the purchasing team.
• Provide backup coverage and purchasing support as necessary to maintain continuity of operations.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for purchasing, supplier, delivery, pricing, and internal procurement issues.
• Support employee development, cross-training, succession planning, and continuous improvement within the purchasing organization.
• Ensure purchase orders are placed accurately and timely in accordance with production requirements, demand, approved requisitions, and company procedures.
• Monitor open purchase orders, supplier commitments, past-due orders, shortages, and delivery risks.
• Ensure buyers proactively communicate supplier delays and material constraints before they impact production.
• Oversee procurement of production materials, MRO, supplies, services, and outside processing.
• Ensure purchasing activities align with inventory objectives and required production lead times.
• Support material shortage resolution and recovery planning.
• Maintain supplier relationships and escalate supply risks.

Skills

Purchasing leadership

Supplier management

Negotiation

Analytical skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Attention to detail

Change management

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Microsoft Office 365

Job description

Nikkiso Clean Energy & Industrial Gases is seeking a Purchasing Manager to lead the day-to-day procurement functions supporting production, quality, inventory, and cost objectives. You will supervise Buyers I-III, drive supplier performance, negotiate terms, and align purchasing with planning, engineering, and manufacturing.

This role requires hands-on leadership in a manufacturing setting and offers growth within the Nikkiso procurement organization.