Strategic Purchasing & Supplier Relations Lead

Advanced Personnel Resources, Inc.; Greensboro (NC); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Advanced Personnel Resources, Inc. seeks an experienced Purchasing Officer for a manufacturing client in the Triad area. This role coordinates purchasing activities, aligns with strategy, and builds strong supplier relationships to drive value and cost optimization.

You will work with Engineering, Quality, Finance and Supply Chain to translate business priorities into sourcing actions, develop procurement strategies, and monitor supplier performance for continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent qualification in SCM, purchasing, business administration, engineering, or related field.
• Experience in purchasing, procurement, strategic sourcing, supplier management, or related function.
• Understanding of procurement processes, supplier negotiations, sourcing strategies, and supplier performance management.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams and stakeholders across different business areas or organizational levels.
• Strong analytical skills to evaluate business needs, identify opportunities, and develop actionable recommendations.
• Proficiency in standard business reporting tools and procurement systems.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate purchasing activities across assigned business areas, ensuring alignment with business objectives and procurement strategies.
• Identify and consolidate business priorities, risks, opportunities, and market developments to support informed purchasing decisions.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Finance, and other relevant functions, to maximize synergies and ensure a coordinated approach.
• Develop recommendations, prepare decision‑making material, and escal…
• Identify opportunities to improve supplier performance, operational efficiency, cost competitiveness, and long‑term business value.
• Coordinate supplier‑related activities and support the development of strategic supplier relationships.
• Promote consistent purchasing processes, governance principles, reporting practices, and ways of working across assigned business areas.
• Prepare and coordinate business reviews, performance reports, management updates, and stakeholder meetings.
• Support effective collaboration between internal stakeholders and suppliers, ensuring transparency, accountability, and alignment with agreed objectives.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of purchasing processes, tools, operating models, and organizational practices.
• Engage with internal stakeholders early in project development to identify purchasing requirements, commercial opportunities, and potential supply chain risks.
• Ensure that relevant purchasing requirements are incorporated into RFQs, sourcing activities, and supplier selection processes.
• Support the evaluation of supplier proposals and ensure that agreed requirements are considered in sourcing decisions.
• Identify opportunities for supplier‑driven innovation, process improvements, cost reductions, and sustainable business solutions.
• Monitor market trends, supplier capabilities, and external developments to identify opportunities that strengthen long‑term competitiveness.
• Encourage early collaboration with suppliers to improve sourcing outcomes, reduce risks, and create additional value throughout the product and service lifecycle.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder management

Communication and collaboration

Commercial awareness

Planning and coordination

Analytical and problem-solving skills

Continuous improvement mindset

Integrity and accountability

Education

Degree in SCM / Purchasing / Business Admin / Engineering

Job description

Advanced Personnel Resources, Inc. seeks an experienced Purchasing Officer for a manufacturing client in the Triad area. This role coordinates purchasing activities, aligns with strategy, and builds strong supplier relationships to drive value and cost optimization.

You will work with Engineering, Quality, Finance and Supply Chain to translate business priorities into sourcing actions, develop procurement strategies, and monitor supplier performance for continuous improvement.