Purchasing Lead

Chesapeake Plywood•Baltimore, MD

5d•$70,000 - $85,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Chesapeake Plywood is seeking a Purchasing Lead to build and develop their purchasing function. This is a strategic role focused on learning the business, identifying inefficiencies in cash management, inventory turnover, and product profitability, and implementing solutions. The ideal candidate will have experience building purchasing processes from the ground up. The role involves understanding market dynamics, managing inventory levels, overseeing purchase orders, controlling freight costs, managing imports, negotiating vendor terms and rebates, and supporting the transition to Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. Success will be measured by a clear assessment and plan for purchasing improvements within 12 weeks, and by year one, achieving faster inventory turns, reduced slow-moving stock, and successful operation within the new ERP system.

Requirements

5+ years in purchasing or procurement, ideally in wholesale distribution.
A track record of improving or rebuilding a purchasing function, not just running one.
Experience buying without perfect systems: you've built min/max levels, reorder points or forecasts when the tools weren't there.
Hands-on involvement in an ERP implementation.
Confident negotiating price, terms and rebates with vendors.
Strong on freight and LTL cost management.
Numbers-driven and precise. The price book has to be right, every time.
Comfortable challenging how things are done, and backing it up with data.
Advanced Excel, plus Outlook, Teams and Word.

Nice To Haves

Building materials experience is a plus, not a must.
Business Central or Dynamics NAV experience is a big plus.
Import and container experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

Own the Price Book: keep current costs on every item and set margins by item with the Sales Manager.
Manage Inventory Levels: set and maintain min/max on every stocked item. Keep cash working, not sitting in slow-moving stock.
Run Purchase Orders: place and manage all open POs, and own follow-up and shipment tracking.
Control Freight & LTL: shop every shipment, and own carrier relationships and freight cost.
Manage Imports: track containers, handle international reporting, and stay ahead of tariff changes.
Negotiate Rebates & Terms: build vendor rebate programs and payment terms, and track both through to collection.
Maintain Vendor Records: keep vendor data, terms and contacts accurate.
Lead Vendor Training: schedule and run quarterly product knowledge sessions for the sales team.
Support the ERP Transition: be a key voice in our move to a new ERP.