Purchasing Manager

Location: Muskegon, MI 

Who We Are

Join us and become a part of the Tramec team! With manufacturing facilities across the United States, we offer steady work, competitive pay, and a strong benefits package in a hands-on manufacturing environment where teamwork, reliability, and continuous improvement matter.

Position Summary

The Purchasing Manager is responsible for leading the organization's purchasing, sourcing, supplier management, and procurement activities to ensure the timely, cost-effective acquisition of materials, components, and services that support manufacturing operations and customer requirements. This position oversees the purchasing team, develops sourcing strategies, manages supplier relationships, negotiates contracts, and drives continuous improvement initiatives to optimize cost, quality, delivery, and inventory performance.

Working closely with Operations, Planning, Engineering, Quality, Sales, Finance, and other cross-functional teams, the Purchasing Manager ensures supply continuity while supporting the company's operational and financial objectives.

This position is based out of Fleet Engineers in Muskegon, Michigan 

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced purchasing professional with leadership, strategic sourcing, supplier management, and manufacturing procurement experience who enjoys building supplier partnerships, developing teams, and driving operational excellence.

Why You'll Like Working Here

Along with competitive pay, our benefits include medical, dental, vision, company-paid life insurance, HSA match, company-matched 401(k), paid sick/vacation, 10 paid holidays, on-demand pay, tuition reimbursement, wellness incentives, gym membership credit, disability coverage, and safety gear allowances.

 Purchasing & Procurement Leadership

• Lead and oversee daily purchasing operations to ensure uninterrupted material availability.
• Establish purchasing priorities based on production schedules, customer demand, and business needs.
• Review and approve purchasing activities, supplier selections, and procurement decisions.
• Ensure purchasing activities comply with company policies, procedures, and budget objectives.
• Oversee purchasing data and transactions within the ERP system.

Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Management

• Develop and implement sourcing strategies that improve cost, quality, delivery, and supply chain reliability.
• Identify, qualify, and develop domestic and international suppliers.
• Lead supplier RFQs, competitive bidding, and contract negotiations.
• Negotiate pricing, payment terms, freight agreements, and long-term supplier partnerships.
• Monitor supplier performance and develop corrective action plans when performance expectations are not met.
• Conduct supplier business reviews and maintain strong supplier relationships.

Cost Management & Continuous Improvement

• Lead annual cost reduction initiatives and identify ongoing cost-saving opportunities.
• Analyze market trends, supplier pricing, tariffs, and supply chain risks to support purchasing decisions.
• Track and report purchasing cost savings and department performance metrics.
• Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives within purchasing and supply chain operations.

Inventory & Supply Chain Support

• Partner with Planning and Operations to optimize inventory levels while supporting production requirements.
• Monitor supplier lead times and implement actions to improve supply continuity.
• Review excess and obsolete inventory and assist in developing inventory reduction strategies.
• Support inventory reconciliation, cycle counts, and material planning initiatives.

Leadership & Team Development

• Supervise, coach, mentor, and develop members of the purchasing team.
• Assign workloads, establish priorities, and monitor department performance.
• Conduct performance evaluations and provide ongoing coaching and development.
• Foster a culture of teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Compliance & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Ensure compliance with purchasing policies, import regulations, and supplier documentation requirements.
• Oversee Country of Origin documentation and supplier compliance records.
• Prepare purchasing reports, KPIs, and performance metrics for leadership.
• Partner with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Planning, Finance, and Sales to resolve purchasing and supply chain issues.
• Support audits and initiatives related to procurement, supplier compliance, and inventory management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
• 5+ years of purchasing, procurement, or supply chain experience in a manufacturing environment.
• 3+ years of leadership or supervisory experience preferred.
• Experience with strategic sourcing, supplier negotiations, and contract management.
• Experience using ERP or MRP systems.
• Strong Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office skills.
• Knowledge of purchasing, inventory management, and manufacturing supply chain processes.
• Experience with international sourcing, Country of Origin requirements, or import/export compliance is a plus.
• CPSM, CPM, APICS, or ASCM certification is a plus.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong leadership and team development skills.
• Excellent negotiation and supplier relationship management abilities.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Strong financial and cost analysis abilities.
• High level of organization, accuracy, and attention to detail.
• Ability to lead continuous improvement initiatives and drive operational results.
• Dependable, proactive, and customer-focused leadership style

Tramec is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as defined by applicable law.

At this time, we are not able to offer visa sponsorship or relocation assistance for this position. We appreciate your understanding.