Job Summary:

The Strategic Procurement Manager is responsible for leading and directing all procurement, purchasing, inventory replenishment, and supplier management activities for Hub Labels, Inc. This position ensures the timely acquisition of raw materials, supplies, equipment, and services required to support manufacturing operations while maintaining optimal inventory levels, competitive pricing, quality standards, and supplier performance.

The Strategic Procurement Manager develops and executes purchasing strategies that align with company objectives, improve supply chain efficiency, reduce costs, minimize risk, and support customer service expectations. This role provides leadership to purchasing personnel and works collaboratively with operations, production, sales, customer service, and finance teams to ensure material availability and operational success.

Supervisory Responsibilities: The Strategic Procurement Manager will supervise the purchasing department including material and purchasing personnel.

Duties/ Responsibilities:

Procurement & Purchasing Leadership

• Plan, organize, direct, and oversee all purchasing and procurement activities for the company.
• Develop and implement purchasing strategies that support business growth, operational efficiency, and profitability.
• Ensure the timely procurement of raw materials, packaging, supplies, equipment, and services necessary to meet production requirements.
• Monitor inventory levels and purchasing trends to balance material availability with inventory investment goals.
• Establish and maintain purchasing policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, contractual obligations, and ethical purchasing standards.

Supplier Management

• Identify, evaluate, qualify, and maintain relationships with suppliers that provide high-quality products and services at competitive costs.
• Negotiate pricing, payment terms, contracts, rebates, freight arrangements, and service agreements.
• Evaluate supplier performance based on quality, delivery, responsiveness, pricing, and overall reliability.
• Develop strategic supplier partnerships to improve supply continuity and support long-term company objectives.
• Lead supplier review meetings and corrective action initiatives when performance concerns arise.
• Handle Vendor transitions as needed

Inventory & Materials Management

• Collaborate with production and planning teams to ensure adequate material supply while minimizing excess inventory.
• Monitor inventory turns, safety stock levels, lead times, and supplier performance metrics.
• Support inventory control processes and periodic inventory audits.
• Negotiations with Roto/K&B
• Develop plans to mitigate risks associated with material shortages, supply chain disruptions, and market fluctuations.

Contract & Purchase Order Administration

• Review, approve, and manage purchase orders, contracts, bids, proposals, and supplier agreements.
• Ensure purchasing documentation is accurate, complete, and compliant with company requirements.
• Investigate and resolve purchasing discrepancies, invoice issues, supplier claims, and contract-related matters.
• Review purchase requisitions and assign procurement activities as appropriate.

Cost Management & Continuous Improvement

• Analyze market conditions, pricing trends, and supply chain risks to support informed purchasing decisions.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities through supplier negotiations, alternative sourcing, inventory management improvements, and process enhancements.
• Develop and maintain purchasing reports, KPIs, and performance metrics.
• Recommend and implement process improvements that increase efficiency, reduce lead times, and strengthen purchasing controls.
• Make recommendations and monitor from prior sales forecasts

Leadership & Team Development

• Directly supervise Purchasing and Materials personnel.
• Provide coaching, training, performance management, and professional development opportunities for team members.
• Establish departmental goals and performance expectations.
• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, collaboration, ownership, and continuous improvement.
• Participate and lead process improvement initiatives and SOP creation

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Operations, Production, Customer Service, Sales, and Finance to support organizational objectives.
• Participate in strategic planning initiatives related to purchasing, inventory, and supply chain management.
• Support new product introductions by sourcing materials and evaluating supplier capabilities.

Additional Responsibilities

• Participate in Hub Labels Operational Performance (HOP) initiatives, programs, and events.
• Comply with all company safety policies and procedures, including the appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE) when required.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Hub Labels offers general benefits including medical, dental, vision, 401k with company match, life, and disability. 

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Strong analytical and communication skills 
• Knowledge of basic math 
• Must be self-motivated, organized, and detail oriented. 
• Must be able to work under pressure and meet job related deadlines. 
• Must be willing to be a self-empowered employee, suggest process improvements & problem solutions to management. 
• Must be willing to flex hours as needed pending work requirements. 

Education & Experience:

• High school diploma or GED.
• Minimum of five (5) years of purchasing, procurement, supply chain, or materials management experience.

Preferred

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations Management, or a related field.
• Previous supervisory or management experience.
• Experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably within printing, packaging, or label converting industries.

Work Environment:

The work environment includes both office and manufacturing settings. The Strategic Procurement Manager regularly interacts with production personnel, warehouse staff, suppliers, and management team members. Exposure to manufacturing equipment, moving machinery, varying temperatures, and moderate noise levels may occur when entering production or warehouse areas.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods.
• Frequent use of computers, phones, and office equipment.
• Ability to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and electronically.
• Ability to occasionally lift and carry up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to access production, warehouse, and storage areas as needed.

Core Values:

H.U.B.

Honor. Unite. Believe.

Honor: To Serve our employees, customers, suppliers, environment, and members of our community with admiration and respect.

Unite: To come together, collaborate and work towards a common goal.

Believe: Always believe in yourself and others.