Strategic Procurement Manager

Location: Columbus, OH
Job Type: Full-Time Direct Hire
Starting Salary: $100,000/year (higher compensation available based on experience)

We are seeking a Strategic Procurement Manager to lead purchasing and supplier development activities within a manufacturing environment supporting electrical power distribution products. This role will oversee sourcing strategies, supplier relationships, material availability, and cost improvement initiatives for fabricated and purchased components.

The ideal candidate has experience purchasing materials such as copper bar stock, sheet metal, fabricated parts, and electrical components within an OEM, contract manufacturing, or power distribution environment. This position requires the ability to interpret engineering drawings, evaluate material requirements, and independently make sourcing decisions.

Key Responsibilities

Procurement Strategy & Supplier Development
• Develop and execute sourcing strategies to support manufacturing requirements and business goals.
• Build and maintain supplier relationships while identifying opportunities for improved cost, quality, and delivery performance.
• Establish and support supplier qualification processes and develop new supply sources as business needs grow.
• Evaluate supplier capabilities and identify opportunities for alternative sourcing to reduce supply risk.
• Support make-versus-buy evaluations with Engineering and Operations teams.
Materials & Commodity Purchasing
• Manage procurement activities for raw materials, fabricated components, and purchased parts.
• Source and purchase commodities including copper bar stock, sheet metal, steel, aluminum, hardware, and electrical components.
• Review engineering drawings, models, and specifications to determine appropriate material requirements and dimensions.
• Apply knowledge of material types, sheet metal gauges, fabrication requirements, and manufacturing processes.
• Support engineer-to-order (ETO) and custom manufacturing programs.
Supplier Performance & Cost Management
• Monitor supplier performance related to quality, delivery, responsiveness, and pricing.
• Lead supplier improvement efforts, corrective actions, and performance reviews.
• Negotiate pricing, contracts, lead times, and purchasing agreements.
• Analyze spending trends and identify cost reduction opportunities.
• Track commodity market impacts, including steel, copper, and other key materials.
Internal Collaboration
• Partner with Engineering, Production, Planning, Quality, and Project Management teams to support material readiness.
• Ensure purchasing activities align with manufacturing schedules and customer delivery requirements.
• Resolve material shortages, supply constraints, and procurement issues impacting production.
• Maintain accurate purchasing, supplier, and inventory information within ERP systems.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives within procurement and supply chain operations.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, Operations, or related field; equivalent experience considered.
• 5–10+ years of experience in procurement, purchasing, or supply chain within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience purchasing copper bar stock, electrical materials, fabricated components, or similar commodities.
• Experience in power systems, power distribution equipment, electrical manufacturing, OEM, or contract manufacturing environments.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, CAD models, specifications, and dimensional requirements.
• Experience sourcing sheet metal, fabricated parts, hardware, and electrical components.
• Experience using ERP/MRP systems.
• Strong negotiation, analytical, supplier management, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with:
  • Switchgear
  • Power Distribution Units (PDUs)
  • Remote Power Panels (RPPs)
  • Static Transfer Switches (STSs)
  • Modular power solutions
  • Background in engineer-to-order (ETO) or make-to-order manufacturing.
  • Experience developing new suppliers and building external supply chains.
  • Knowledge of lean manufacturing and inventory optimization practices.
  • Experience managing supplier corrective actions and performance improvement programs.
  • Familiarity with commodity-driven purchasing environments involving copper, steel, and aluminum.

Success in This Role Includes

• Improved supplier performance and delivery reliability.
• Reduced material shortages and production disruptions.
• Strong supplier network development and sourcing flexibility.
• Cost savings through strategic purchasing initiatives.
• Improved alignment between procurement activities and manufacturing schedules.