Position Title: Purchasing Manager
We’re seeking a Purchasing Manager to help grow our lumber, building materials, and forest products wholesale operation.
Who are we?
We are a privately held organization in the Seattle WA area that specializes in selling building materials to customers (project owners) in the multi-family, commercial and residential construction disciplines. We operate branches and product divisions throughout the U.S.
Our Guiding Principles
Guiding principles govern the behavior and values it expects from all stakeholders including employees:
Delight Customers: Going the extra mile is the key to our success
Quality: Attention to detail and work ethic are paramount
Safety: Safety drives action. Don’t take high risk actions
Grit: We will overcome any obstacle in our path
Teamwork: Respect each other, listen, and help
Profitability: Discipline drives results. Use budgets and be cost conscious
Good Judgment: Use appropriate discretion
Role Overview
The Purchasing Manager is a salaried exempt, full-time position targeted at 40 hours per week. The Purchasing Manager is expected to be onsite and is assigned to the branch.
This role reports to the CEO.
Core duties of the Purchasing Manager:
- Meet and exceed sales and gross margin goals for the branch. The annual sales goal for the branch is $250m and the gross margin goal is $37.5m (15% gm on sales)
- Lead purchasing efforts at the branch, which includes full responsibility for local/yard customers and regional/multifamily customers
- Cultivate and develop relationships with suppliers, mills and other product distributors
- Conduct supplier site visits (no less than annually) and become the “customer of choice” for suppliers providing large volumes of forest and lumber products
- Partner with VP of Strategy to run sales meetings and to provide training, support and performance monitoring to the branch
- Partner with VP of Strategy and sales team to cultivate and develop new customer relationships through lead generation and prospecting efforts
- Proactively monitor account profitability, customer satisfaction & loyalty. Act early when necessary
- Oversee product (material) shipments. Support branch transactions throughout the product delivery cycle
- Communicate with dispatch, logistics and account management teams to ensure timely and accurate delivery of products ordered
- Prioritize workflow and customer needs in face paced environment
- Provide responsive and friendly customer service to project owners
- Keep abreast of market activities and pricing trends. Perform market and customer research to inform solicitation and pricing activities
- Communicate proactively with the executive team. Provide feedback/direction to the executive team when possible
Desired qualifications for the Purchasing Manager:
- Operating modality that aligns with our guiding principles
- Outstanding performer with proven success and track record
- 15+ years of purchasing experience with mills, lumber suppliers and distributors of forest products within a 500-mile radius of Seattle
- 5+ years of selling experience to general contractors or framer project owners in the multi-family, commercial and/or residential construction industries
- Existing deal flow with general contractors or framer project owners in the multi-family space, a plus
- Strong data analysis, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills
- Self-starter with the ability to ability to prioritize many urgent requests
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including verbal and written; ability to interact with team members at all levels. Forthright communicator that is direct
- Growth mindset and “grinder” orientation
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Teams and web-based software
- Willingness to contribute to building an energetic and exciting organization
- 4-year college degree, required
Compensation:
The role has a base salary with bonus availability in year 1. Beyond year 1, there is an opportunity for the role to be on a commission compensation program. That program includes a commission base tiered structure with a draw. Commission settlements are performed twice a year in the summer and winter and draws will be netted against commissions earned.
Benefits include health insurance, a 401(k)-employer match and paid time off (PTO).
All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, age, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, military status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable laws or regulations.
GPAC (Growing People and Companies) is an award-winning search firm specializing in placing quality professionals within multiple industries across the United States since 1990. We are extremely competitive, client-focused and realize that our value is in our ability to deliver the right solutions at the right time.
