Purchasing Supervisor

Rite-Hite • Dubuque, IA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

Rite-Hite is seeking a Purchasing Supervisor for its Dubuque, Iowa manufacturing facility. The role leads site-level purchasing, including sourcing strategies, supplier management, purchasing execution, and team performance. The supervisor oversees Buyers and Senior Buyers and partners with Global Supply Chain, Engineering, and Operations to ensure material availability, supply continuity, and cost competitiveness while balancing cost, quality, and service objectives.

The position is based in a manufacturing plant and combines office work with regular interaction with manufacturing teams and suppliers. It involves frequent computer use, periods of sitting, regular communication, and may require standing, walking, bending, stooping, reaching, and occasionally lifting up to 25 pounds. Occasional travel may be required. Employees in production areas must follow site safety requirements and use appropriate PPE.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• At least 3 years of progressive purchasing or supply chain experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong supplier negotiation and contract management skills.
• Experience with sourcing strategies and supplier performance management.
• Understanding of inventory management and replenishment models, including vendor-managed inventory (VMI).
• Working knowledge of ERP/MRP systems.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to influence and collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders.
• Ability to meet customer site access and safety requirements, where applicable.
• Ability to successfully pass a background check.
• Eligibility to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

• JD Edwards experience.
• Experience leading, coaching, or mentoring others.
• Experience leading procurement in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience supporting new product development and sourcing strategy.
• Advanced financial and cost analysis skills.
• Experience leading formal cost reduction programs.
• APICS (CPIM or CSCP), CPSM, or a similar certification or relevant coursework.

Responsibilities

• Promote a culture of safety by following Company and OSHA policies and procedures, properly using required PPE, and promptly reporting hazards, near misses, and incidents.
• Lead, develop, and manage a team of Buyers and/or Senior Buyers by setting priorities, coaching team members, and driving performance.
• Develop and execute site-level sourcing strategies to support supply continuity, cost competitiveness, and supplier performance.
• Build and maintain strategic supplier relationships and serve as the primary site-level contact for key suppliers.
• Lead supplier selection, pricing, and contract negotiations, including approval of site-level agreements.
• Monitor supplier performance through scorecards, delivery and quality metrics, and corrective action plans.
• Develop and manage inventory and replenishment strategies using demand forecasts and planning inputs to balance material availability, cost, and working capital.
• Align sourcing strategies with production requirements and capacity plans to ensure material availability.
• Identify and mitigate supply chain risks, including single-source dependencies, capacity constraints, and potential disruptions.
• Drive site-level cost performance through savings initiatives, cost reduction programs, and total cost of ownership improvements.
• Partner with Production, Engineering, and Global Supply Chain to align purchasing strategies with business and technical needs.
• Support new product development through supplier selection, cost modeling, and supply readiness planning.
• Establish and continuously improve purchasing processes, systems, and governance to drive consistency, efficiency, and compliance.
• Maintain accurate purchasing, supplier, and planning data to support effective replenishment and decision-making.
• Serve as the escalation point for complex supplier and purchasing issues, guiding resolution and decision-making.
• Monitor key performance metrics, including cost, supplier lead times, and supplier performance.
• Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives across sourcing, supplier management, and purchasing operations.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Life and disability insurance.
• A well-being program with an opportunity to receive an extra day off.
• 401(k) retirement savings program with company match.
• Profit sharing.
• Paid holidays, vacation time, and personal/sick days.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager