Purchasing Manager

Aston Carter•Ashland City, TN

14d•$44 - $46•Onsite

About The Position

This role leads the procurement of maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) materials, equipment, and services for a growing manufacturing organization in Ashland City, TN. The Purchasing Manager – MRO ensures timely availability of parts and supplies to support production and maintenance, while driving cost savings, optimizing inventory, and strengthening supplier performance. The position is ideal for an experienced purchasing professional with a strong manufacturing experience, proven negotiation skills, and a proactive approach to strategic sourcing and supplier management.

Requirements

Minimum of 5 years of purchasing experience, including significant experience sourcing MRO materials within a manufacturing environment.
Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations, or a related field preferred.
Strong understanding of procurement practices and supplier relationship management within a manufacturing context.
Proven experience negotiating contracts, pricing agreements, and supplier terms to achieve cost savings and favorable conditions.
Hands-on experience with ERP systems, purchasing software, and inventory management systems.
Demonstrated skills in inventory management, strategic sourcing, vendor management, and cost reduction initiatives.
Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret purchasing and inventory data to support decision-making.
Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing setting.
Effective communication skills with the ability to influence stakeholders and build strong supplier partnerships.
High attention to detail and accuracy in purchasing documentation, records, and transactions.
Demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement in procurement processes and supplier performance.
Experience working as a buyer or purchasing professional in a manufacturing or industrial environment.

Nice To Haves

Experience purchasing industrial maintenance parts, including bearings, motors, hydraulics, and pneumatics.
Experience in sourcing electrical and mechanical components for manufacturing operations.
Experience procuring production consumables used in manufacturing environments.
Exposure to purchasing capital equipment and coordinating maintenance services.
Experience sourcing manufacturing tooling and safety supplies.
Familiarity with MRO buying, supplier negotiations, strategic sourcing, inventory management, procurement, and vendor management.
Experience in cost reduction initiatives and supply chain optimization.
Knowledge of supply chain principles and purchasing best practices, including purchasing, supply chain, ERP, and buyer purchasing responsibilities.

Responsibilities

Source, evaluate, and develop relationships with suppliers to ensure high-quality products, competitive pricing, and reliable delivery for MRO materials, equipment, and services.
Negotiate pricing, contracts, and vendor agreements to achieve cost savings while maintaining quality, delivery, and service standards.
Review purchasing requirements and issue accurate purchase orders with correct specifications, quantities, and delivery details.
Monitor open purchase orders, track order status, and proactively resolve delays or supply chain disruptions to support continuous operations.
Maintain appropriate inventory levels of MRO materials to support production and maintenance activities without excess stock.
Analyze purchasing trends, inventory usage, and demand forecasts to ensure alignment with operational needs and to support data-driven decision-making.
Identify and implement process improvements, strategic sourcing initiatives, and supplier consolidation opportunities to enhance efficiency and reduce costs.
Partner closely with Maintenance, Operations, Production, and other internal departments to ensure purchasing activities align with overall business objectives.
Resolve supplier performance issues related to quality, delivery, and service, and drive corrective actions when needed.
Maintain accurate purchasing records and documentation, ensuring compliance with company procurement policies and procedures.
Track supplier key performance indicators (KPIs) and support ongoing vendor performance reviews to strengthen supplier relationships and performance.
Support continuous improvement initiatives within the purchasing function and contribute to a culture of operational excellence.