Director of Purchasing
Job Description
Director of Purchasing
Classification: Exempt
Location: Birmingham, AL
Summary
The Director of Purchasing position is responsible for leading procurement strategy and purchasing operations for a national fastener manufacturer and distributor. This role oversees supplier sourcing, vendor management, contract negotiations, and strategic purchasing to ensure consistent supply, competitive pricing and optimal inventory levels utilizing domestic and international vendors. This position will play a critical role in supporting manufacturing operations, distribution fulfillment, and OEM customer programs. The role ensures high-quality fasteners, raw materials, and related components are secured at the best possible value while maintaining strong supplier relationships and supply chain resilience.
Essential Functions/Duties
Strategic Procurement Leadership
- Develop and implement purchasing strategies that align with company growth, manufacturing demand, and nationwide distribution operations.
- Lead procurement planning to support production schedules, distribution inventory requirements/stock levels, and OEM customer commitments.
- Monitor market trends, raw material pricing, and global supply conditions affecting the fastener industry, and report findings to executive team on a consistent cadence.
Vendor Management & Sourcing
- Manage and optimize a network of domestic and international suppliers.
- Identify, qualify and onboard new vendors to strengthen supply chain reliability and cost competitiveness.
- Evaluate supplier performance based on cost, quality, delivery and service metrics.
- Maintain strong strategic partnerships with key suppliers.
Contract Negotiation
- Lead negotiation of supplier contracts, pricing agreements, and long-term supply arrangements.
- Secure favorable pricing, payment terms and delivery schedules.
- Mitigate risk through clear contract terms and supplier diversification.
Quoting & Cost Analysis
- Support sales and operations with accurate product cost estimates and supplier quotes.
- Analyze supplier pricing and identify opportunities for cost savings or consolidation.
- Partner with sales teams to ensure competitive pricing for customer bids and large contracts.
OEM Procurement
- Oversee purchasing for OEM customer programs, ensuring accurate sourcing, cost control, quoting, and supply continuity.
- Collaborate with engineering, production, and sales teams to source specialized fasteners and components.
- Ensure compliance with OEM specifications and quality requirements.
Inventory & Supply Planning
- Work closely with operations and inventory teams to maintain optimal stock levels across company warehouses and manufacturing facilities.
- Balance cost efficiency with availability to minimize shortages and excess inventory.
Team Leadership
- Lead and develop the purchasing team, including buyers, sourcing specialists, and procurement analysts.
- Establish performance metrics, training and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration and strategic thinking.
Process Improvement
- Implement procurement best practices, systems and automation tools.
- Improve purchasing workflows, reporting and supplier communication processes.
- Drive cost reduction and efficiency initiatives across the supply chain.
Competencies
- Ability to foster and maintain positive relations within and outside of the organization.
- Ability to communicate, present facts and provide recommendations effectively in oral and written form.
- Strong organizational skills that reflect the ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks seamlessly with excellent attention to detail.
- Proven ability to handle confidential information with discretion, adapt to various competing demands, and demonstrate the highest level of service and response.
- Ability to work effectively with or without direct supervision as well as independently or in a team environment.
- Continuously focus on process improvement and proactively anticipate needs and present solutions.
- Ability to maintain a high degree of professionalism while under pressure and in the face of adversity.
- Work under critical deadlines and heavy workloads to support the critical functions of the company.
- Ability to prioritize and work with accuracy under stress.
- Must have a solid working knowledge in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook applications.
Physical/Cognitive Demands
This is largely a sedentary role; however, walking long distances (over uneven surfaces) to/within our production facility is required. Position also requires the ability to lift boxes, open filing cabinets, and bend or stand as necessary. Cognitive abilities required include deductive reasoning, information ordering, oral comprehension, oral expression, problem sensitivity, written comprehension, and written expression.
Required Experience
Candidates should meet the following minimum qualifications:
- 5+ years of experience in a purchasing or procurement role, preferably in the fastener industry or related field.
- 2+ years of managing a purchasing or procurement team.
- Experience supporting multi-location or multi-state operations.
- Experience with domestic and international sourcing.
- Experience with Epicor/P21 software preferred.
Required Education
Preferred:
- Bachelor’s or Associate’s Degree in Business, Logistics, Supply Chain, or related field
Alternative Qualification:
- An equivalent combination of education and professional experience will also be considered.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
- This is a full-time position. Hours and days vary depending on workload. Travel will be required on both pre-planned and last minute depending on business needs.
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.