Procurement Manager

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Sourcing & Procurement

• Develop and implement procurement strategies for raw materials, including graphite feedstocks, petroleum coke, pitch, additives, packaging materials, and indirect supplies.


• Identify, evaluate, qualify, and maintain relationships with suppliers and service providers.


• Lead supplier bidding, RFQ, RFP, and contract negotiation processes.


• Analyze market trends, pricing, supply conditions, and industry developments to support sourcing decisions.


• Establish long-term supply agreements that balance cost, quality, delivery, and risk mitigation.

Supplier Management

• Manage supplier performance using key performance indicators (KPIs) related to quality, cost, delivery, responsiveness, and compliance.


• Conduct regular supplier reviews and audits.


• Develop contingency plans and alternate sourcing strategies to reduce supply chain risk.


• Resolve supplier-related quality and delivery issues in collaboration with Quality and Operations teams.

Inventory & Production Support

• Collaborate with Production Planning and Operations to ensure uninterrupted material availability.


• Monitor inventory levels and purchasing activities to maintain optimal stock while minimizing carrying costs.


• Support maintenance and capital projects through the procurement of equipment, spare parts, and services.


• Coordinate procurement activities for plant shutdowns, turnarounds, and major projects.

Cost Management

• Identify and implement cost-reduction and value-improvement initiatives.


• Negotiate favorable pricing, payment terms, and contractual agreements.


• Monitor spending trends and procurement metrics.


• Support annual budgeting and forecasting processes.

Compliance & Systems Management

• Ensure compliance with company policies, ethical sourcing standards, environmental regulations, and applicable legal requirements.


• Maintain accurate procurement records and documentation.


• Utilize ERP/MRP systems to manage purchasing activities, supplier information, and inventory data.


• Support internal and external audits related to procurement activities.

 Leadership

• Lead and develop purchasing personnel and procurement processes.


• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.


• Provide regular reporting on procurement performance and strategic initiatives.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, Operations Management, or related field.


• Minimum 5-8 years of progressive procurement, purchasing, or supply chain experience in a manufacturing environment.


• Minimum 3 years of leadership or supervisory experience.


• Experience negotiating contracts and managing strategic supplier relationships.


• Strong understanding of inventory control, MRP/ERP systems, and manufacturing operations.


• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in graphite, carbon products, metals, chemicals, mining, refractory, or heavy industrial manufacturing.


• Professional certification such as CPSM, CPM, CSCP, or APICS certification.


• Experience with SAP, Oracle, JD Edwards, Microsoft Dynamics, or similar ERP platforms.


• Knowledge of commodity markets and industrial raw material sourcing.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong negotiation and contract management skills.


• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.


• Ability to assess and mitigate supply chain risks.


• Strong financial acumen and cost management capabilities.


• Effective project management and organizational skills.


• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.


• Ability to build productive relationships across all levels of the organization.


• Data-driven decision-making and reporting skills.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Material cost savings and cost avoidance.


• Supplier on-time delivery performance.


• Inventory turnover and inventory accuracy.


• Procurement cycle time.


• Supply continuity and production support.


• Supplier quality performance.


• Contract compliance.


• Working capital improvement.

Working Conditions

• Manufacturing plant environment with periodic exposure to industrial equipment, dust, noise, and varying temperatures.


• Occasional travel to supplier sites, conferences, and company locations.


• Ability to work extended hours as necessary to support operational requirements and supply interruptions.