About the position
Lakeside HR Group has been engaged by our client to recruit for a Strategic Purchasing Manager to join their team. Our client is a long-established, full-service metal fabrication organization known for leveraging cutting-edge technologies to deliver complex, high-quality components. Serving a diverse range of OEM customers across architecture, construction, industrial, defense, and access equipment sectors, this organization is recognized for exceeding customer expectations and building long-term, trust-based partnerships. This role is a key leadership position within the supply chain function, focused on ensuring material availability, cost effectiveness, and supplier performance to support production efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Responsibilities
• Develop and execute strategic sourcing plans tailored to the metal fabrication and finishing environment.
• Source, negotiate, and manage supplier relationships for raw materials and services including steel, aluminum, stainless steel, fasteners, coatings, and finishing chemicals.
• Negotiate pricing, lead times, and contracts to achieve the best quality-to-cost ratio while ensuring continuity of supply.
• Evaluate supplier performance across cost, quality, delivery, and service metrics; drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Monitor market trends, raw material pricing, and industry innovations to inform purchasing strategies and mitigate risk.
• Collaborate closely with Engineering, Production, and Quality teams to align sourcing decisions with material specifications, manufacturing requirements, and production schedules.
• Lead make-versus-buy analyses and assess outsourcing opportunities for fabrication and finishing services.
• Maintain accurate purchasing records, supplier qualifications, and contract documentation.
• Utilize ERP systems to manage procurement workflows, inventory levels, and demand forecasting.
Requirements
• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business Management, Engineering, or a related field.
• Five or more years of purchasing experience, preferably within metal fabrication, machining, or industrial manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of raw materials, machining processes, plating, powder coating, anodizing, and finishing services.
• Proven negotiation skills with experience driving supplier performance and cost-saving initiatives.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to partner cross-functionally.
• Proficiency with ERP systems (e.g., Epicor) and Microsoft Excel.
• Knowledge of production scheduling processes.
• Understanding of manufacturing workflows, tolerances, and material certifications (DFARS, RoHS, REACH).
• Experience sourcing both domestic and international suppliers.
• Familiarity with lean manufacturing principles and supply chain optimization.
Benefits
• Medical insurance (employee premiums have not increased in over six years)
• Health Savings Account with employer contribution
• Free on-site health clinic
• Dental and vision insurance
• Flexible spending accounts
• Life insurance and short- and long-term disability coverage
• Competitive paid time off
• Paid holidays with no waiting period
• 401(k) with employer match up to 4%
• Tuition reimbursement