Purchasing Manager

McKenna Labs, Inc•Fullerton, CA

7d•$85,000 - $117,000•Hybrid

About The Position

McKenna Labs is a full-service contract manufacturing company that specializes in hair, skin and body care products. We've been in the personal care development and manufacturing industry since 1998. Join us in shaping the future of high-quality manufacturing by ensuring our products meet the strictest standards of safety and excellence! The Purchasing Manager is responsible for leading and managing procurement activities for a contract manufacturer of personal care and over-the-counter (OTC) pharmaceutical products. This position directs a team of Buyers and oversees the sourcing, procurement, inventory planning support, supplier management, contract negotiations, and continuous improvement of purchasing processes. The Purchasing Manager ensures uninterrupted supply of raw materials, indirect materials, and services while maintaining compliance with quality, regulatory, and customer requirements. The Purchasing Manager works closely with Operations, Account Management, Packaging Supply Chain, Planning, Quality Assurance, Research & Development, Regulatory Affairs, and Finance to ensure materials are available to support production schedules, customer demands, and company growth objectives.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Operations Management, or related field required.
Minimum 7 years of progressive purchasing, procurement, or supply chain experience.
Minimum 3 years of management or supervisory experience leading purchasing professionals.
Experience in personal care, cosmetics, OTC pharmaceutical, dietary supplement, food, or other regulated manufacturing environments strongly preferred.
Strong understanding of procurement principles, supplier management, and strategic sourcing.
Knowledge of GMP-regulated manufacturing environments.
Understanding of FDA regulations as they relate to OTC pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Strong contract negotiation and vendor management skills.
Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
Advanced proficiency with ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Office applications.
Ability to analyze purchasing data and identify opportunities for cost savings and process improvement.
Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute purchasing strategies that support production requirements and business objectives.
Oversee procurement of raw materials and indirect supplies.
Ensure uninterrupted supply of materials to support manufacturing schedules and customer commitments.
Establish and maintain appropriate supplier relationships to ensure quality, cost competitiveness, reliability, and service.
Lead supplier sourcing, qualification, onboarding, and performance management activities.
Negotiate pricing, payment terms, contracts, and supply agreements to achieve cost savings and favorable business terms.
Monitor market trends, commodity pricing, supply risks, and industry developments impacting material availability and cost.
Directly supervise Buyers and other purchasing personnel.
Establish departmental goals, priorities, and performance expectations.
Recruit, train, coach, and develop purchasing staff.
Conduct performance evaluations and provide ongoing performance feedback.
Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, customer service, and continuous improvement.
Evaluate supplier performance using key metrics including quality, delivery, responsiveness, service levels, and cost.
Lead supplier business reviews and corrective action initiatives when performance issues arise.
Develop strategic supplier partnerships to support long-term business growth.
Collaborate with Quality Assurance to ensure approved suppliers comply with applicable GMP and regulatory requirements.
Partner with Planning and Operations to maintain appropriate inventory levels while minimizing excess and obsolete inventory.
Monitor inventory trends and purchasing activities to support working capital objectives.
Participate in forecasting and Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) processes.
Identify and mitigate material shortages and supply chain disruptions.
Ensure Purchasing activities comply with company policies and procedures.
Support compliance with cGMP, FDA, customer, and regulatory requirements applicable to OTC pharmaceutical and personal care manufacturing.
Participate in internal and external audits related to supplier qualification and procurement practices.
Maintain accurate procurement records and documentation.
Manage departmental budgets and purchasing expenditures.
Identify and implement cost-reduction and cost-avoidance initiatives.
Analyze purchasing data and prepare reports on supplier performance, cost savings, spend categories, and procurement trends.
Support annual budgeting and forecasting activities.
Evaluate and improve procurement processes, systems, and controls.
Drive operational efficiencies through process improvements and system automation.
Support ERP enhancements and purchasing system optimization initiatives.
Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and monitor departmental performance against established goals.
Directly supervises Buyers and other purchasing team members.
Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable employment laws.
Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, training, assigning work, evaluating performance, rewarding employees, addressing complaints, and resolving operational issues.