The Director of Procurement is responsible for leading the organization’s sourcing, purchasing, and supplier management strategies to ensure cost-effective, reliable, and high-quality supply of materials, equipment, and services. This role provides strategic direction and operational oversight of procurement activities while driving supplier performance, risk mitigation, and continuous improvement across the supply chain.
The Director of Procurement partners closely with Operations, Finance, Engineering, Maintenance, and Plant Leadership to support production goals, capital projects, and long-term business objectives — especially in a complex manufacturing environment.
Key Responsibilities
Procurement Strategy & Leadership
- Develop and execute a comprehensive procurement strategy aligned with company financial and operational objectives and Corporate Procurement.
- Lead, mentor, and develop the procurement and purchasing team at multiple sites.
- Establish KPIs to measure procurement performance, cost savings, supplier reliability, and service levels.
- Drive a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and cross-functional collaboration.
Sourcing & Cost Management
- Lead strategic sourcing initiatives for raw materials, MRO supplies, capital equipment, and outside services.
- Negotiate pricing, contracts, and long-term supply agreements to achieve cost savings and favorable terms.
- Analyze market trends, commodity pricing, and supply risks to inform sourcing decisions.
- Identify and implement cost-reduction and value-engineering opportunities without compromising quality or safety.
Supplier Management
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers and service providers.
- Establish supplier performance metrics related to quality, delivery, safety, and responsiveness.
- Conduct supplier evaluations, audits, and performance reviews.
- Lead supplier issue resolution and corrective action processes.
Operational Support
- Ensure timely procurement of materials and services to support uninterrupted production and maintenance activities.
- Partner with Operations and Engineering on capital projects, equipment purchases, and plant upgrades.
- Support maintenance reliability initiatives through effective MRO and spare parts procurement.
- Work closely with Inventory/Stores teams to optimize stock levels and reduce carrying costs.
Risk & Compliance
- Identify and mitigate supply chain risks, including single-source dependencies and market volatility.
- Ensure procurement activities comply with company policies, contractual obligations, and applicable regulations.
- Support ESG, sustainability, and responsible sourcing initiatives where applicable.
Systems & Process Improvement
- Oversee procurement systems, purchasing processes, and approval workflows.
- Improve purchasing efficiency through standardization, automation, and data-driven decision-making.
- Ensure accurate procurement reporting and spend visibility across the organization.
Qualifications
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or related field required.
- 8–12+ years of progressive procurement or supply chain experience.
- Minimum 3–5 years in a leadership or management role.
- Experience in manufacturing, industrial, or heavy industry environments strongly preferred.
Technical & Professional Skills
- Strong negotiation and contract management skills.
- Deep understanding of strategic sourcing, supplier performance management, and cost analysis.
- Experience with MRO, capital equipment, and production material sourcing.
- Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems and procurement software.
- Financial acumen with ability to analyze total cost of ownership and budget impacts.
Leadership Competencies
- Proven ability to lead teams and influence cross-functional stakeholders.
- Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on operational execution.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
Work Environment
- Primarily office-based with regular interaction in plant/manufacturing environments.
- Occasional travel to company facilities and supplier sites required.