What are the responsibilities and job description for the Purchasing Manager position at Highwater Marine, LLC/Pontoon Boat, LLC?
JOB SUMMARY:
Bennington is the market leading pontoon boat manufacturer and a wholly owned subsidiary of Polaris Industries, a Fortune 500 company. We pride ourselves on delivering a boating experience that’s second to none through our emphasis on innovation, design, product quality, and relentless focus on customer satisfaction. Our team members live that passion every day and have fueled our growth across 6 buildings in Elkhart, IN.
The Purchasing Manager role is a leadership position that will focus on oversee procurement activities for our manufacturing and aftermarket operations. This role is critical in ensuring that all materials, parts, and services required for production are procured efficiently, cost-effectively, and in alignment with quality standards. The Purchasing Manager will lead supplier negotiations, manage inventory levels, ensure on-time delivery, and work closely with cross-functional teams to maintain a seamless supply chain so that we can reliably produce the boats and supply the parts that allow our customers to celebrate life on the water.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES :
Bennington is the market leading pontoon boat manufacturer and a wholly owned subsidiary of Polaris Industries, a Fortune 500 company. We pride ourselves on delivering a boating experience that’s second to none through our emphasis on innovation, design, product quality, and relentless focus on customer satisfaction. Our team members live that passion every day and have fueled our growth across 6 buildings in Elkhart, IN.
The Purchasing Manager role is a leadership position that will focus on oversee procurement activities for our manufacturing and aftermarket operations. This role is critical in ensuring that all materials, parts, and services required for production are procured efficiently, cost-effectively, and in alignment with quality standards. The Purchasing Manager will lead supplier negotiations, manage inventory levels, ensure on-time delivery, and work closely with cross-functional teams to maintain a seamless supply chain so that we can reliably produce the boats and supply the parts that allow our customers to celebrate life on the water.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES :
- Develop and implement commodity strategies for purchased material.
- Negotiate purchasing agreements, contracts, pricing, and delivery terms to optimize cost savings and ensure timely delivery, evaluating their performance.
- Lead and mentor a team of purchasing and procurement professionals through coaching, aligning, and developing.
- Develop and manage the direct material cost standards and inventory targets ensuring alignment with financial targets.
- Analyze market trends and pricing fluctuations to mitigate cost and delivery risks.
- Identify growth and developmental opportunities with on-going training needs of personnel which provide for an overall positive working environment.
- Ensure all materials purchased meet specifications and quality standards.
- Establish and maintain strong relationships with suppliers and vendors.
- Negotiate pricing consistent with an overall total cost management system.
- Responsible for all aspects of the Supply Chain into Bennington including analyzing and confirming purchased material dates.
- Monitor inventory levels to ensure an optimal balance of supply and demand, including leading demand and inventory planning with suppliers and supplier tiers.
- Implement strategies to reduce excess inventory and minimize waste.
- Develop and implement performance metrics for purchasing activities including supplier performance, supplier quality, buyer activity level, financial (AP) performance, and material shortages.
- Maintain and present materials related to Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s).
- Lead the team in continuous improvement opportunities to improve supply chain costs through lean initiatives, identifying solutions; efficient/effective solutions to increase productivity and limit errors.
- Contribute to Bennington cultural vision including but not limited to working in a positive fashion with teammates and leadership, taking initiative, and having ownership of work.
- Foster collaboration with production, engineering, logistics and other cross-functional teams to ensure seamless operations.
- Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, and ethical standards in all purchasing activities.
- Lead resolution of any supply shortages, quality concerns, or build issues that may arise on assigned commodities including leading expediting activities.
- Flexible, performs other duties as assigned.
- Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, engineering, or related field desired.
- Marine industry experience/knowledge and/or passion for boating desired.
- 6 years of purchasing or relevant experience (purchasing, procurement, sourcing, operations, etc.) preferred.
- 2 years of leadership experience preferred or an experienced and proven leader who has the demonstrated ability to build effective teams and deliver results.
- Strong working knowledge of an ERP system including purchase orders, price changes, and purchase order maintenance, material requirements, and delivery schedules.
- In-depth knowledge of marine commodities and suppliers.
- Demonstrated leadership ability to set goals, delegate and motivate team to achieve those goals.
- Excellent leadership skill in motivating, training, and developing individuals and teams.
- Excellent written & verbal communication within team and cross-functionally
- Working knowledge in ERP/MRP Systems, preferably Syteline, with ability to Develop purchasing reports/
- Supervise a diverse team in a fast-paced working environment to include training, support, discipline, and performance tracking.
- Ability to understand basic engineering documents & drawings (eDrawings and AutoCad Viewer).
- Ability to lead, interface and work effectively with other departments.
- Coordinate a high level of activity under a variety of conditions and constraints.
- Ability to develop, implement and drive change in purchasing and materials management.
- Ability to drive accountability throughout the organization.
- Excellent attention to detail.
- High analytical skills with ability to accurately track materials spend, interpret trends, summarize results, and create reports.
- Proficient with Microsoft Suit of Products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Power BI, Outlook)
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