Purchasing Manager

SKIDMORE•East Whiteland Township, PA

36d•Onsite

About The Position

The Purchasing Department Manager leads all purchasing operations to ensure consistent product availability, supplier performance, and operational execution. This is a hands-on working manager role responsible for both leading the team and directly managing a portfolio of key suppliers. This position is accountable for building a high-performing team and reinforcing a culture grounded in Essex’s core values: We Take Ownership, We Help & Assist, We Do the Right Thing, and We Are Growth Oriented.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree required
5+ years of purchasing, supply chain, or related experience
Knowledge of inventory control, food safety, distribution, and logistics and the ability to apply to practical situations.
Advanced knowledge of MS Office (Outlook, Excel, Word, etc.)
Advanced knowledge of ERP and CRM systems; experience in Sage X3 preferred
Proven Management and/or relationship management experience
Strong communication skills, and able to lead and motivate team members, while driving consistent results
Strong leadership and management skills in accordance with Essex Core Values
Self-Driven, motivated individual with an active continuous improvement approach

Nice To Haves

3+ years of leadership experience preferred

Responsibilities

Lead, coach, and develop the Purchasing team to drive accountability and results
Provide clear expectations regarding measurables, Core Values, Fundamentals, and roles & responsibilities
Foster a collaborative, solution-oriented team environment
Participate in regularly scheduled meetings as a department
Perform quarterly check-in conversations and annual performance reviews
Administer training in job related duties and company SOPs, as required
Develop and maintain relevant SOPs for the team.
Act as a role model for urgency, ownership, and follow-through
Directly manage a book of suppliers, including purchasing, forecasting, and issue resolution
Oversee full purchase order lifecycle (creation, maintenance, cost accuracy, expediting, closure)
Ensure material availability and accurate system data across purchasing platforms
Act as escalation point for shortages, backorders, and critical supply issues
Oversee inventory planning, replenishment, and stock levels by SKU and location
Manage excess, aging, and damaged inventory, including disposition and claims
Coordinate with warehouse operations to maintain inventory accuracy and flow
Develop and manage strong supplier relationships to ensure service, quality, and reliability
Drive supplier performance on pricing, delivery, and responsiveness
Partner with Sales and Customer Service to support customer commitments and resolve issues
Monitor and drive key metrics (fill rate, backorders, supplier performance, inventory levels)
Lead process improvements and standardization across purchasing activities
Utilize reporting and data to identify issues and drive corrective actions