Purchasing and Inventory Planning Manager

PCC Talent Acquisition Portal•Niskayuna, NY

18h

About The Position

The Purchasing and Inventory Planning Manager manages daily purchasing, inventory management, and production planning. The role leads ERP use and management reporting to support decisions and improve operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness, while supervising the purchasing and inventory planning team. The manager directs procurement and planning policies, balances customer service, inventory investment, and manufacturing productivity, and manages inventory net working capital. The role monitors purchase price variances, expedites delayed operations and suppliers, and adjusts schedules to respond to unforeseen conditions. Working closely with Sales, Manufacturing, Engineering, and supervisors across departments, the manager coordinates material and product requirements while balancing customer responsiveness with capacity and material constraints. The position leads ERP data accuracy and process improvement, develops and analyzes management reports, supports supplier selection and relationships, and proactively manages supply chain risks. It also ensures import and export requirements are met and leads the team toward corporate goals for Safety, 6S, Inventory, Scrap, and On-time shipments.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a technical field.
7–10 years of material and inventory management or purchasing experience, including management of thousands of unique part numbers.
5 years of management and/or supervisory experience leading a high-performing purchasing team, including day-to-day supervision, coaching, employee development, and performance management.
3–5 years of import, export, and domestic freight forwarding experience or similar experience.
Expertise in information systems management, ERP workflows, data accuracy, and reporting.
Demonstrated success improving purchasing and inventory planning processes through ERP systems.
Strong expertise in ERP data extraction and validation, report development, and purchasing and inventory trend analysis to guide management action.
Proficient computer skills in MS Outlook, Word, Excel, and Access.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Nice To Haves

MAPICS experience.
Familiarity with Lean Continuous Improvement and Six-Sigma.

Responsibilities

Manage daily purchasing and inventory activities and oversee the team’s daily work.
Direct procurement and planning policies for purchasing and delivering items within budget and time constraints.
Balance customer service, inventory investment, and manufacturing productivity while supporting high service levels with minimum necessary inventory.
Monitor and reduce purchase price variances to meet profit objectives.
Expedite operations and suppliers that delay schedules and adjust schedules to meet unforeseen conditions.
Work with Sales, Manufacturing, and Engineering to balance customer responsiveness with capacity and material constraints.
Manage inventory net working capital.
Lead ERP use, data accuracy, and process improvement in purchasing and inventory planning.
Develop and analyze management reports on inventory, purchase price variances, supplier delivery, and planning performance; recommend corrective actions based on trends.
Assist with vendor and supplier selection, evaluating price, quality, support, capacity, and reliability.
Develop and maintain relationships with key suppliers and vendors.
Manage, supervise, mentor, develop, and motivate the purchasing and inventory planning team.
Coordinate material or product requirements with supervisors across departments.
Lead the team in achieving departmental corporate goals for Safety, 6S, Inventory, Scrap, and On-time shipments.
Identify and manage supply chain risks proactively.
Ensure compliance with import and export requirements.
Perform other duties as assigned.