Advanced Personnel Resources is seeking an experienced Purchasing Officer for a new role with our client, an established manufacturing organization located in the Triad area. The Purchasing Officer is responsible for coordinating and driving purchasing activities across assigned business areas, ensuring strategic alignment, effective supplier relationships, and the delivery of sustainable, value-driven procurement outcomes. The role acts as a key link between Purchasing and internal stakeholders, promoting collaboration, consistency, and a forward-looking approach to supplier management. Working closely with cross-functional teams, the Purchasing Officer supports the development and implementation of purchasing strategies, identifies opportunities for cost optimization and innovation, and ensures that business priorities are translated into effective sourcing and supplier engagement activities.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Purchasing and Stakeholder Alignment
- Coordinate purchasing activities across assigned business areas, ensuring alignment with business objectives and overall procurement strategies.
- Identify and consolidate business priorities, risks, opportunities, and market developments to support informed purchasing decisions.
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Finance, and other relevant functions, to maximize synergies and ensure a coordinated approach.
- Develop recommendations, prepare decision-making material, and escalate key issues to relevant stakeholders and management.
- Identify opportunities to improve supplier performance, operational efficiency, cost competitiveness, and long-term business value.
Supplier Management and Governance
- Coordinate supplier-related activities and support the development of strategic supplier relationships.
- Promote consistent purchasing processes, governance principles, reporting practices, and ways of working across assigned business areas.
- Prepare and coordinate business reviews, performance reports, management updates, and stakeholder meetings.
- Support effective collaboration between internal stakeholders and suppliers, ensuring transparency, accountability, and alignment with agreed objectives.
- Contribute to the continuous improvement of purchasing processes, tools, operating models, and organizational practices.
Early Supplier Involvement and Business Development
- Engage with internal stakeholders early in project development to identify purchasing requirements, commercial opportunities, and potential supply chain risks.
- Ensure that relevant purchasing requirements are incorporated into requests for quotation (RFQs), sourcing activities, and supplier selection processes.
- Support the evaluation of supplier proposals and ensure that agreed commercial, technical, quality, and operational requirements are considered in sourcing decisions.
- Identify opportunities for supplier-driven innovation, process improvements, cost reductions, and sustainable business solutions.
- Monitor market trends, supplier capabilities, and external developments to identify opportunities that strengthen long-term competitiveness.
- Encourage early collaboration with suppliers to improve sourcing outcomes, reduce risks, and create additional value throughout the product and service lifecycle.
Qualifications and Experience
- Degree or equivalent qualification in Supply Chain Management, Purchasing, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field.
- Experience in purchasing, procurement, strategic sourcing, supplier management, or a related commercial function.
- Understanding of procurement processes, supplier negotiations, sourcing strategies, and supplier performance management.
- Experience working with cross-functional teams and stakeholders across different business areas or organizational levels.
- Strong analytical skills, with the ability to evaluate business needs, identify opportunities, and develop actionable recommendations.
- Proficiency in standard business reporting tools and procurement systems.
Key Competencies
- Strategic thinking: Ability to connect business priorities with purchasing strategies and long-term objectives.
- Stakeholder management: Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build effective relationships across functions and organizational levels.
- Communication and collaboration: Ability to coordinate diverse stakeholders, facilitate discussions, and drive alignment.
- Commercial awareness: Understanding of cost drivers, supplier markets, sourcing opportunities, and value creation.
- Planning and coordination: Ability to manage multiple activities, prioritize effectively, and deliver results within agreed timelines.
- Analytical and problem-solving skills: Ability to assess complex information, identify risks and opportunities, and support evidence-based decisions.
- Continuous improvement mindset: Proactive approach to improving processes, supplier collaboration, and purchasing effectiveness.
- Integrity and accountability: Commitment to ethical business practices, transparency, and responsible supplier relationships.