Assistant Director, Purchasing

Comfort Systems USA•Houston, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Director of Purchasing reports to the Director of Purchasing and is responsible for the daily leadership, coordination, and performance of the Purchasing organization. This position provides direct leadership to Purchasing Managers and Strategic Sourcing Managers and ensures effective execution of procurement, sourcing, supplier performance, and material delivery activities. Major objectives include achieving departmental KPIs, supporting strategic sourcing initiatives, ensuring material availability, developing personnel, driving process improvements, and facilitating collaboration across Engineering, Product Management, Planning, Manufacturing, Project Management, Operations, and Finance. The Assistant Director serves as the primary operational leader of the Purchasing department and acts on behalf of the Director when required.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited university. Extensive relevant work experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
7 years working in purchasing, procurement, or supply chain.
5 years managing and developing teams.
Hands-on experience in engineer-to-order and make-to-order manufacturing.
Strong leadership and team development capabilities.
Advanced knowledge of procurement, sourcing, supply chain, and materials management principles.
Strong understanding of supplier relationship management and strategic sourcing.
Strong ERP/MRP systems knowledge and data analysis capabilities.
Excellent communication and collaboration skills across all levels of the organization.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Strong decision-making, problem-solving, and conflict-resolution skills.
Change management and continuous improvement leadership.
Business acumen and operational planning capabilities.
Ability to drive accountability and results through subordinate leaders.

Nice To Haves

7+ years of experience in purchasing, procurement, or supply chain.
5+ years of direct people leadership across purchasing or manufacturing teams.
Experience in Lean principles, ISO-regulated environments, and strategic sourcing.
Professional certification (APICS, CPSM, or CPM) preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide direct supervision of Purchasing Managers and Strategic Sourcing Managers.
Translate purchasing strategies and organizational objectives into actionable department plans.
Monitor and drive departmental performance against procurement, supplier, delivery, inventory, and operational KPIs.
Ensure alignment between Buyer and Expediting teams to support manufacturing schedules and customer commitments.
Support strategic sourcing initiatives including supplier selection, qualification, development, and risk mitigation activities.
Escalate and resolve critical supplier, delivery, quality, and commercial issues.
Collaborate with Engineering, Product Management, Planning, Manufacturing, Operations, Project Management, and Finance to establish priorities and resolve material constraints.
Champion ERP/MRP utilization, data integrity, reporting accuracy, and system improvements.
Develop and maintain purchasing policies, procedures, standard work, and training programs.
Support budget planning, cost reduction initiatives, and total cost of ownership objectives.
Ensure compliance with company policies, quality standards, and ISO requirements.
Serve as acting department leader in the absence of the Director.
Other responsibilities as assigned by TAS.