Purchasing Manager

KEELING COMPANY•North Little Rock, AR

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Purchasing Manager plays a critical role in Keeling Company’s success by ensuring the strategic sourcing, procurement, and availability of products that support our customers and branch operations. This position leads purchasing initiatives that deliver the right products at the right time while maintaining inventory accuracy and cost efficiency. The Purchasing Manager provides leadership and support to the Purchasing Team and Inventory Specialist while overseeing purchasing-related functions within the company’s ERP system. This role ensures strong inventory controls, data integrity, and operational excellence through effective processes and continuous improvement. Through supplier management, data-driven decision-making, and product evaluation, the Purchasing Manager optimizes inventory investment, reduces costs, improves productivity, and supports company growth. This customer-focused leader promotes innovation, process integrity, and solutions that enhance both operational performance and the customer experience. This position will interact closely with the management team to ensure organizational goals and objectives are met. At Keeling Company, we take pride in fostering a culture that values teamwork, respect, and exceptional customer service. As a medium-sized company, we offer the close-knit, supportive environment of a small business while providing many of the benefits and opportunities of a larger organization. Our employees enjoy making a meaningful impact while growing their careers in a dynamic and rewarding setting.

Requirements

Managerial experience in supply chain, purchasing, procurement or inventory management required.
Demonstrated experience managing vendor relationships, inventory strategies, and purchasing operations.
Experience leading and developing teams in a fast-paced operational environment.
Superior computer proficiency, including extensive experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and purchasing-related software.
Strong understanding of purchasing, inventory management, logistics, material requirements planning (MRP), forecasting, scheduling, budgeting, and supply chain operations.
Thorough understanding of business operations and the ability to align purchasing strategies with organizational goals and objectives.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively at all levels of the organization.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Logistics, or a related field preferred.
Wholesale distribution industry experience preferred, but not required.

Responsibilities

Lead and develop the Purchasing Team, including Buyers and the Inventory Specialist, to ensure effective procurement operations.
Coach, mentor, and manage team performance while promoting accountability and continuous improvement.
Build and maintain strong vendor relationships to secure competitive pricing, product availability, and quality service.
Evaluate vendors, products, and purchasing strategies to support profitability, customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency.
Oversee purchasing activities to ensure timely and cost-effective sourcing and delivery of products.
Manage purchasing functions within the company’s ERP system, ensuring data accuracy and process compliance.
Develop and maintain inventory control processes to ensure inventory accuracy and optimize inventory investment.
Analyze inventory, purchasing, and product performance data to support business decisions and process improvements.
Ensure purchasing and inventory practices align with company policies, financial goals, and operational needs.
Provide accurate purchasing, inventory, and vendor information to leadership and internal stakeholders.
Collaborate with operations, sales, accounting, and other departments to support customer and business needs, including managing product costs and customer pricing.
Serve as the primary contact for suppliers and assist in resolving vendor and customer-related issues.
Monitor market trends, pricing, and supply chain conditions to identify risks and opportunities.
Identify and implement improvements to purchasing, inventory management, and ERP processes.
Track and report key purchasing and inventory performance metrics.
Maintain a strong understanding of company operations, customer needs, and strategic priorities.
Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.