Purchasing Lead, Supervisor

COMPANY OVERVIEW:

Founded in 1953 Avtron has a long history of manufacturing market leading power test solutions. Now with a global footprint and sales into some of the largest industrial projects, Avtron will continue to push the envelope of what’s possible in the electrical test environment. Avtron Power Solutions manufacture and distribute market leading load bank solutions for mission critical applications. We have the largest portfolio in the industry and can meet the highest load testing standards with our intelligent SIGMA load bank control system.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Purchasing Lead / Supervisor is responsible for leading the day-to-day purchasing function while actively managing strategic procurement activities to ensure uninterrupted material availability, supplier performance, cost competitiveness, and operational excellence. This role provides leadership, coaching, and direction to the purchasing team while serving as the escalation point for critical supply issues.

The Purchasing Lead / Supervisor collaborates closely with Planning, Warehouse, Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, and Finance to ensure procurement activities support production schedules, inventory objectives, and customer commitments. This position requires a proactive leader capable of balancing strategic supplier management with hands-on execution, driving accountability, improving processes, and developing a high-performing purchasing organization.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Purchasing Leadership

• Lead, supervise, and develop the purchasing team to achieve departmental objectives.
• Establish daily priorities and workload balancing across Buyers.
• Provide coaching, mentoring, and performance feedback.
• Foster accountability and continuous development within the purchasing organization.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for supplier-related issues impacting operations.
• Promote a collaborative "One Team" culture across Supply Chain and Operations.

Procurement Management

• Manage assigned suppliers and strategic commodities.
• Ensure timely placement and execution of Purchase Orders supporting production and customer demand.
• Review MRP recommendations and validate purchasing actions before release. • Maintain appropriate order coverage while minimizing excess inventory.
• Monitor supplier confirmations and ensure delivery commitments are accurately maintained within SAP Business One.
• Coordinate purchasing priorities based on changing production requirements.

Supplier Performance Management

• Develop strong working relationships with key suppliers.
• Monitor supplier performance through measurable KPIs.
• Lead supplier business reviews and performance improvement initiatives.
• Resolve delivery, quality, pricing, and service issues.
• Coordinate supplier corrective actions when performance expectations are not achieved.
• Identify opportunities for supplier consolidation and strategic sourcing.

Material Availability

• Ensure purchased materials are available to support production schedules. • Monitor critical shortages and implement recovery plans.
• Collaborate with Planning to prioritize procurement activities.
• Lead shortage review meetings as required.
• Escalate supply risks before production interruptions occur.

Cost Management

• Support annual cost reduction initiatives.
• Participate in supplier negotiations for pricing, payment terms, and commercial agreements.
• Analyze market conditions affecting purchased materials.
• Identify opportunities for cost savings without compromising quality or service.
• Support budgeting and forecasting activities related to purchase materials.

ERP & Data Management

• Ensure purchasing transactions are accurately maintained in SAP Business One.
• Maintain supplier master data.
• Monitor purchasing parameters to optimize procurement performance.
• Ensure Purchase Orders accurately reflect pricing, quantities, lead times, and delivery dates.
• Support continuous improvement of ERP purchasing processes.

Cross-Functional Collaboration Partner closely with: Master Planning, Production Planning, Warehouse Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, Customer Service, Logistics and Finance to support operational execution and business objectives.

Continuous Improvement

• Improve purchasing processes through Lean principles. • Standardize purchasing procedures and best practices.
• Develop departmental KPIs and dashboards.
• Implement process improvements that increase efficiency and reduce waste.
• Lead root cause investigations for recurring procurement issues.
• Support digital transformation initiatives within Supply Chain.

Risk Management

• Identify supply chain risks before they impact operations.
• Develop contingency plans for critical suppliers.
• Monitor supplier capacity, financial stability, and geopolitical risks.
• Maintain business continuity strategies for key materials.
• Support dual sourcing and supplier diversification initiatives.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Build a high-performing purchasing team.
• Establish clear expectations and accountability.
• Conduct regular one-on-one meetings.
• Complete annual and quarterly performance evaluations.
• Develop training plans for Buyers.
• Encourage cross-training and succession planning.
• Recognize high performance while addressing performance gaps promptly.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• 5+ years of purchasing experience within a manufacturing environment.
• • Minimum 2 years of leadership or team lead experience.
• • Experience managing suppliers supporting engineered or manufactured products.
• • Experience with ERP systems (SAP Business One preferred). • Strong understanding of MRP-driven purchasing.

EDUCATION, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, or related field.
• Procurement & Purchasing
• MRP Planning
• SAP Business One
• Supplier Relationship Management
• Inventory Management
• Cost Analysis
• Supply Chain Management
• Strategic Sourcing
• Contract Negotiation
• Supplier Performance Metrics
• Excel (Advanced)
• Power BI (preferred)
• Leadership and Coaching

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

This position is primarily on-site and is performed in a combination of office and manufacturing environments, with frequent presence on the shop floor. The role requires regular cross-functional collaboration with Operations, Engineering, Quality, People and Culture, and Leadership teams.

The manufacturing environment may involve exposure to varying noise levels, moving machinery, and other conditions typical of a production facility. Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is required in designated areas.

While performing the essential functions of this role, the employee may be required to sit, stand, lift up to 50lbs, walk, bend, stoop, twist, reach, and use hands and fingers to operate tools, equipment, and computer systems. The position may require occasional lifting and movement of materials consistent with job responsibilities.

The role includes occasional presentation and communication responsibilities to executive leadership, including participation in quarterly business reviews. The employee must be able to communicate effectively and observe conditions necessary to perform essential job functions. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential functions of the position, in accordance with applicable law.