Director of Purchasing

Birmingham Fastener & Supply•Birmingham, AL

About The Position

The Director of Purchasing position is responsible for leading procurement strategy and purchasing operations for a national fastener manufacturer and distributor. This role oversees supplier sourcing, vendor management, contract negotiations, and strategic purchasing to ensure consistent supply, competitive pricing and optimal inventory levels utilizing domestic and international vendors. This position will play a critical role in supporting manufacturing operations, distribution fulfillment, and OEM customer programs. The role ensures high-quality fasteners, raw materials, and related components are secured at the best possible value while maintaining strong supplier relationships and supply chain resilience.

Requirements

5+ years of experience in a purchasing or procurement role, preferably in the fastener industry or related field.
2+ years of managing a purchasing or procurement team.
Experience supporting multi-location or multi-state operations.
Experience with domestic and international sourcing.
Must have a solid working knowledge in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook applications.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Epicor/P21 software preferred.
Bachelor’s or Associate’s Degree in Business, Logistics, Supply Chain, or related field
An equivalent combination of education and professional experience will also be considered.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement purchasing strategies that align with company growth, manufacturing demand, and nationwide distribution operations.
Lead procurement planning to support production schedules, distribution inventory requirements/stock levels, and OEM customer commitments.
Monitor market trends, raw material pricing, and global supply conditions affecting the fastener industry, and report findings to executive team on a consistent cadence.
Manage and optimize a network of domestic and international suppliers.
Identify, qualify and onboard new vendors to strengthen supply chain reliability and cost competitiveness.
Evaluate supplier performance based on cost, quality, delivery and service metrics.
Maintain strong strategic partnerships with key suppliers.
Lead negotiation of supplier contracts, pricing agreements, and long-term supply arrangements.
Secure favorable pricing, payment terms and delivery schedules.
Mitigate risk through clear contract terms and supplier diversification.
Support sales and operations with accurate product cost estimates and supplier quotes.
Analyze supplier pricing and identify opportunities for cost savings or consolidation.
Partner with sales teams to ensure competitive pricing for customer bids and large contracts.
Oversee purchasing for OEM customer programs, ensuring accurate sourcing, cost control, quoting, and supply continuity.
Collaborate with engineering, production, and sales teams to source specialized fasteners and components.
Ensure compliance with OEM specifications and quality requirements.
Work closely with operations and inventory teams to maintain optimal stock levels across company warehouses and manufacturing facilities.
Balance cost efficiency with availability to minimize shortages and excess inventory.
Lead and develop the purchasing team, including buyers, sourcing specialists, and procurement analysts.
Establish performance metrics, training and continuous improvement initiatives.
Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration and strategic thinking.
Implement procurement best practices, systems and automation tools.
Improve purchasing workflows, reporting and supplier communication processes.
Drive cost reduction and efficiency initiatives across the supply chain.