Engineering Jobs in Minnetonka Mn Flexible

Location: Maple Grove, MN - in office

Department: Supply Chain / Operations

Reports To: Vice President

Our client, a well-established industrial solutions provider serving global OEM and engineering clients is seeking an experienced Purchasing Manager to support its fast-paced manufacturing and distribution operations. This role plays a critical part in ensuring material availability, supplier performance, and cost optimization to meet customer delivery commitments.

Position Overview

The Purchasing Manager is responsible for sourcing materials, components, supplies, and services required to fulfill customer orders and production schedules. This role manages the full procurement lifecycle, vendor relationships, and ongoing inventory optimization efforts to ensure operational efficiency and on-time delivery.

Key Responsibilities

Procurement & Order Management

• Review ERP system data and related reporting to determine purchasing requirements.
• Generate and manage purchase orders, ensuring accuracy and timely processing.
• Oversee the full purchase order lifecycle, including:
• Delivery follow-ups and past-due management
• Schedule changes (expedites and push-outs)
• Line-item modifications and quantity adjustments
• Pricing discrepancies and invoice alignment
• Order cancellations when required

Supplier Sourcing & Negotiation

• Solicit and evaluate supplier quotations.
• Support cost negotiations to achieve competitive pricing and favorable terms.
• Maintain and continuously improve the approved vendor list.
• Evaluate supplier performance based on quality metrics and on-time delivery history.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Quality and Operations to determine appropriate disposition for non-conforming materials or services.
• Work closely with warehouse teams to resolve receiving discrepancies and early shipment issues.
• Coordinate transportation logistics for materials across company locations.
• Collaborate with Finance and Sales to optimize inventory levels and maintain appropriate stock positions.

Systems & Process Improvement

• Analyze ERP data to identify irregularities or systemic issues.
• Engage internal IT support to resolve system-related discrepancies.
• Contribute to ongoing process improvements in purchasing and inventory management.

Additional Responsibilities

• Conduct ongoing evaluation of vendors and purchased products.
• Support strategic supply chain initiatives as directed by leadership.
• Perform additional duties aligned with operational priorities.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree preferred, or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum 5 years of purchasing experience within a manufacturing or industrial distribution environment.
• Strong understanding of inventory management practices in production-driven settings.
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities, including planning, prioritization, and problem-solving.
• Proven ability to build strong vendor relationships and work cross-functionally.
• Effective communicator with the ability to engage vendors, internal teams, and senior leadership.
• Self-starter with a proactive, solution-oriented mindset.
• Experience with ERP systems; familiarity with Microsoft Dynamics 365 / Business Central is an asset.