The posting
***This is an onsite role in St. Louis, Missouri at the Code 3 facility.***
Job Summary
The Purchasing Supervisor leads the purchasing function for Code 3, including supervising purchasing activities and team performance; converting demand, production plans, and engineering requirements into executable material plans; and ensuring continuity of supply, quality, cost competitiveness, and inventory performance across domestic and international suppliers. The position partners with teams across the organization to manage supplier risk, support new-product introductions and product changes, maintain compliance with applicable quality and trade requirements, and drive measurable improvements in total cost, delivery, and working capital.
Essential Responsibilities and Functions
- Lead, coach, and develop the purchasing team; set priorities, balance workloads, establish performance expectations, and maintain consistent purchasing practices and controls.
- Convert forecasts, production schedules, bills of material, inventory policies, and lead times into purchase plans; oversee purchase orders, supplier commitments, expedites, reschedules, cancellations, shortages, and supply escalations.
- Source, evaluate, onboard, negotiate with, and develop domestic and international suppliers based on quality, delivery, capacity, cost, technical capability, compliance, financial stability, and continuity risk.
- Partner with Engineering, Quality, and Operations to ensure purchased materials meet drawings, specifications, traceability, vehicle-safety, customer, and quality-system requirements; support supplier qualification, new-product launches, engineering changes, production approvals, corrective actions, and end-of-life transitions.
- Manage international purchasing and logistics considerations, including extended lead times, freight options, customs documentation, duties and tariffs, country of origin, currency exposure, and coordination with freight forwarders and customs brokers.
- Monitor supplier performance and supply-chain risk; lead business reviews, recovery plans, alternate-source strategies, capacity reviews, and continuity plans for critical materials and potential disruptions.
- Optimize inventory, working capital, and total cost through effective replenishment settings, order quantities, safety stock, excess and obsolete material management, cost reduction, value analysis, dual sourcing, and localization initiatives.
- Maintain accurate ERP/MRP data, purchasing procedures, approval workflows, supplier records, and audit documentation; report key performance indicators and use data to improve cost, quality, delivery, inventory, and process performance.
- Ensure purchasing activities comply with company policies, delegated authority, ethical sourcing expectations, applicable trade requirements, and customer and quality-management-system procedures.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Qualifications to Succeed
- Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, business, operations, engineering, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
- Five or more years of progressive purchasing, sourcing, materials, or supply-chain experience in manufacturing, including international suppliers; leadership or supervisory experience preferred.
- Strong knowledge of MRP-driven purchasing, production planning, inventory control, bills of material, engineering changes, supplier performance, and total-cost analysis; experience in vehicle safety, automotive, transportation, or another quality-critical industry preferred.
- Working knowledge of international sourcing and logistics, including customs documentation, duties and tariffs, country of origin, freight modes, global lead times, supplier risk, and alternate-source planning.
- Demonstrated leadership, negotiation, cost-analysis, problem-solving, and risk-management skills, with the ability to balance cost, quality, delivery, inventory, and continuity of supply.
- Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems, Microsoft Excel, data analysis, reporting, and purchasing and inventory metrics; ability to interpret specifications, bills of material, drawings, quotations, quality requirements, and commercial terms.
- Knowledge of supplier quality, product launch, audit, and corrective-action processes, including APQP, PPAP, first-article inspection, control plans, and change control, is preferred.
- Effective written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to lead employees and work across functions, cultures, locations, and time zones.
- Professional procurement or supply-chain certification is preferred; ability to travel domestically and internationally on an occasional basis is required.
Physical Demands and Work Environment
The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those encountered while performing the essential functions of this job. The role is primarily performed in an office setting with regular time in manufacturing, warehouse, and shipping/receiving areas. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Frequently communicates in person, by telephone, and by video conference and reads documents, reports, drawings, order information, and computer screens.
- Regularly uses a computer and other standard office equipment and may stand or walk through production and warehouse areas.
- May occasionally be exposed to noise, moving equipment, and other conditions typical of a light-manufacturing environment; required personal protective equipment must be used in designated areas.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of work performed by the team members assigned to this job. All team members must comply with Company policies and applicable laws.
We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.
