Strategic Purchasing & Materials Manager

Merit Manufacturing; Warren (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Merit Manufacturing is seeking a Supply Chain Manager to lead purchasing and material planning, ensuring production runs have necessary raw materials and packaging components. You will coordinate supplier performance, inventory, and logistics to support reliable production and on-time customer delivery.

You will review schedules, manage POs, identify shortages, and drive cost savings while maintaining accuracy and strong cross-departmental communication.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant experience.
• 5+ years of progressive manufacturing purchasing, material planning, or supply chain experience with hands-on procurement and leadership.
• Experience using production schedules, bills of materials, inventory balances, and supplier lead times to plan purchases.
• Strong negotiation, purchase-order management, supplier follow-up, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with ERP systems and Microsoft Excel.
• Strong organization, attention to detail, and clear communication across departments.

Responsibilities

• Review production schedules, bills of materials, customer orders, and available inventory to determine purchasing needs.
• Purchase raw materials and packaging components, verifying specifications, quantities, pricing, and required delivery dates.
• Manage purchase orders, confirm supplier commitments, and follow up to ensure materials arrive on time.
• Identify shortages early, expedite delayed orders, and coordinate recovery plans with Production, Warehouse, and Quality.
• Negotiate pricing, payment terms, minimum order quantities, and freight arrangements within approved authority.
• Strengthen inventory accuracy and maintain appropriate stock levels while reducing excess, obsolete, and expiring materials.
• Coordinate materials for new products and support approved quality controls and lot traceability.
• Maintain accurate purchasing and inventory information in the company’s ERP system.
• Coach assigned team members and track material readiness, supplier delivery, purchasing accuracy, and verified cost savings.

Skills

Negotiation

Purchase-order management

Supplier follow-up

Problem-solving

Communication

Education

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

Tools

ERP systems

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Merit Manufacturing is seeking a Supply Chain Manager to lead purchasing and material planning, ensuring production runs have necessary raw materials and packaging components. You will coordinate supplier performance, inventory, and logistics to support reliable production and on-time customer delivery.

You will review schedules, manage POs, identify shortages, and drive cost savings while maintaining accuracy and strong cross-departmental communication.