Director of Purchasing and Vendor Management

A career at Standard Electric Company is more than a job. You’re investing in a brighter, more sustainable future together and joining a team that makes a real difference to our customers. Standard Electric offers electrical, plumbing, heating, and mechanical products and services to a variety of customers and end users. We operate 35 branches throughout the state of Michigan and one branch in northern Indiana, in addition to being a part of the Sonepar group, the world’s #1 electrical distributor with over 45,000 associates around the globe. Our 100+ year old company is looking for a Director of Purchasing and Vendor Management at the corporate headquarters in Saginaw, MI. This person is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day purchasing and inventory control activities, supervising the purchasing agents, while streamlining, coordinating, and enhancing the purchasing processes. The person will be implementing the company’s procurement strategy, in alignment with Standard’s overall goals and strategies. They will be responsible for driving total return for strategic vendor categories while managing risks as well as maintaining strategic relationships with Sonepar USA’s strategic vendors. The Director will also consult with Standard senior leadership on organizational strategies and plans to grow sales, purchases, and profitability by category. We offer a competitive wage and a great benefit package, including multiple healthcare plans, dental, vision, life, employer-paid short-term and long- term disability plans, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, opportunity to become a shareholder, and an awesome company match 401K plan. Previous experience in the wholesale electrical industry is a must. Pay will commensurate experience.

Key Responsibilities

_ Supervise Purchasing Team_

o Supervise and lead the purchasing agents, buyers, and other members of a decentralized buying organization.

o Identify development needs as well as areas of strength in the team.

o Plan and implement development and training plans for purchasing agents, buyers, and other team members.

o Mentor team members to drive desired behaviors.

Operational Effectiveness

o Maintain stock in accordance with sales needs.

o Ensure parameters in purchasing system are set to enhance purchasing process.

o Establish procurement strategies and tactics that align with company objectives.

o Define company policies and SOP’s around purchasing.

Strategic Sourcing

o Establish and maintain professional relationships with vendors, manufacturers, agents, OPCO leadership and corporate vendor relations teams.

o Stay informed of current market conditions with vendors/manufacturers.

o Represent the company’s best interest in negotiating pricing and contracts.

o Negotiate and implement national vendor programs to maximize alignment and financial outcomes while managing risks.

o Track performance and forecast financial incentives from vendors.

o Jointly develop growth plans with strategic vendors.

o Drive profitability through category specific strategic plans and support business plan development to justify investments.

Inventory Control

o Control inventory with regards to size, age, turns and quality to achieve inventory ratio, department objectives and adequate material flow through the company.

o Maintain branch inventory to appropriate levels while remaining flexible to customer needs.

o Manager inventory reserve.

Minimum Work Experience Requirements

o 15+ years of relevant, progressively higher levels of experience in the Electrical Wholesale Distribution or adjacent distribution

o Demonstrated strategic and impactful sales/marketing experience.

o Proven ability of adapting and growing a business in a highly matrixed and ever-changing environment.

o Strong interpersonal and relationship building skills with customer service orientation.

o Proven experience developing, influencing, and coaching/mentoring others.

o Strong negotiation skills with focus on win-win outcomes.

o Understanding of legal frameworks / agreements to manage risk.

o Ability to work independently in a team environment, without close supervision and meet deadlines.

Minimum education requirements

o BA/BS degree required

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Education

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience

• electrical wholesale distribution industry: 10 years (Required)

Work Location: In person