Supply Chain Manager

Location: Milwaukee, WI (On site)

Compensation: $110,000-$140,000, bonus eligible

Job Type: Full-time; permanent

Position Overview

A well-established and growing manufacturing organization is seeking an experienced Supply Chain Manager to lead its procurement, materials planning, supplier management, and inventory functions. This newly created leadership position will play a critical role in supporting continued growth while strengthening the company's supply chain processes, supplier relationships, and purchasing strategy.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the organization's purchasing and materials planning activities to ensure the timely availability of materials required to support production.
• Develop and execute strategic sourcing initiatives for raw materials, components, and manufacturing supplies.
• Manage supplier relationships and negotiate pricing, payment terms, lead times, contracts, and other commercial terms.
• Evaluate supplier performance across cost, quality, delivery, capacity, and responsiveness; implement corrective actions and improvement initiatives as needed.
• Partner closely with Operations, Production, Engineering, Quality, Estimating, and Finance to align procurement activities with production requirements and business objectives.
• Oversee inventory levels, reorder points, safety stock, and material availability while balancing service requirements and carrying costs.
• Utilize ERP/MRP systems to manage purchasing requirements, purchase orders, inventory information, lead times, and material planning.
• Identify and execute opportunities for cost reduction, alternate sourcing, supplier consolidation, and other value-enhancement initiatives.
• Establish and monitor purchasing and supply chain KPIs and use data to drive continuous improvement.
• Lead, coach, and develop a small team of purchasing professionals, providing direction, accountability, and ongoing professional development.
• Establish, document, and continuously improve procurement policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Ensure purchasing activities align with applicable quality standards, company policies, and operational requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Business, Engineering, or a related discipline; equivalent relevant experience will also be considered.
• 5+ years of progressive purchasing or procurement experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience procuring industrial materials, metals, components, or other manufacturing-related products.
• Previous experience leading, supervising, or developing purchasing/procurement professionals.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience with ERP and/or MRP systems.
• Strong negotiation, analytical, organizational, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and the broader Microsoft Office suite.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to effectively collaborate across multiple functions and levels of an organization.
• Demonstrated ability to identify opportunities for process improvement and implement sustainable solutions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience purchasing steel, sheet metal, plate, coil, tubing, structural materials, or other metal products.
• Background in custom, make-to-order, fabrication, or project-based manufacturing.
• APICS/ASCM certification, such as CPIM or CSCP.
• Experience working within an ISO 9001-certified environment.
• Experience managing supplier agreements, blanket purchase orders, or long-term sourcing contracts.

Opportunity Highlights

• Newly created leadership position supporting continued organizational growth.
• Significant opportunity to influence and enhance the company's procurement and supply chain strategy.
• Leadership responsibility for a dedicated purchasing team.
• High visibility and close partnership with Operations and senior leadership.
• Opportunity to directly impact supplier performance, cost management, inventory optimization, and operational efficiency.
• Stable, established manufacturing environment with a professional and collaborative culture.

Benefits include health, dental, vision, retirement plan, paid time off, holiday pay