Triple-S Steel

Purchasing Manager

Houston, TX

Full-time

About This Job

Overview:

The Purchasing Manager is responsible for overseeing all procurement activities across the company, including sourcing strategy, supplier relationship management, and cost optimization. This role leads a team of purchasing staff and collaborates closely with Sales, Operations, and Executive Leadership to ensure competitive sourcing, material availability, and margin performance in a dynamic metals distribution environment.

Responsibilities:

Leadership and Department Oversight

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Lead and develop the purchasing team, ensuring alignment with company objectives.

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Set departmental KPIs and track performance to drive cost reductions and operational efficiencies.

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Conduct regular coaching, performance reviews, and training to build a high-performing team.

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Manage departmental budget and personnel decisions, including hiring, discipline, and terminations.

Strategic Purchasing & Vendor Management

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Develop and execute sourcing strategies to support sales growth and inventory optimization.

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Monitor market trends, commodity pricing, and supplier capacity to anticipate risk and opportunity.

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Negotiate and finalize supplier contracts, pricing, and service levels with a focus on margin improvement.

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Manage vendor performance and relationships, including conflict resolution and compliance audits.

Operational Procurement

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Evaluate purchasing requests from Sales and Operations to ensure alignment with demand planning.

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Ensure timely procurement of materials and equipment by issuing POs and tracking deliveries.

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Implement and oversee inventory control standards, reorder points, and cost reporting systems.

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Identify and implement process improvements to enhance procurement workflows and cost control.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

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Partner with Senior Executives, General Managers, Sales, and Operations to forecast needs and align procurement with market demand.

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Lead cross-departmental meetings to support business development and inventory strategies.

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Maintain a strong working knowledge of metals products, grades, and specifications relevant to distribution.

Qualifications:

Required Skills / Abilities:

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Proven leadership in procurement or supply chain functions within industrial or metals sectors.

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Strategic thinker with strong analytical, forecasting, and contract negotiation skills.

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In-depth knowledge of metal types, grades, and industry-specific supply dynamics is strongly preferred.

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ERP experience (e.g., Eniteo, SAP, Oracle, or Epicor) and advanced Excel proficiency.

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Strong interpersonal skills to work cross-functionally and lead diverse teams.

Education & Experience

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