Strategic Purchasing Manager

February 28, 2026

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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

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