Purchasing and Inventory Manager

Purchasing and Inventory Manager

Our client in Tomball, Texas, has an immediate need for a Purchasing and Inventory Manager. This is a direct hire opportunity with an established manufacturing company seeking a hands on professional to oversee purchasing, inventory planning, material availability, and daily inventory operations.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background working within a manufacturing environment, with experience in purchasing, inventory control, and material planning. While 10 years of experience working in a manufacturing plant is preferred, candidates are not expected to have spent 10 years in a Purchasing and Inventory Manager position. Professionals who have progressed through purchasing, materials planning, inventory control, or related manufacturing roles are encouraged to apply.

This position is ideal for someone who enjoys taking ownership, solving problems, and balancing analytical responsibilities with daily operational needs.

Purchasing and Inventory Manager Company Profile

Our client is an established manufacturing and distribution company serving customers across multiple industries. The organization operates in a fast paced environment where inventory accuracy, material availability, and effective purchasing practices are essential to meeting customer and production demands.

The company values accountability, continuous improvement, teamwork, and individuals who can independently identify problems and implement solutions.

Purchasing and Inventory Manager Role

The Purchasing and Inventory Manager will oversee purchasing and inventory activities supporting manufacturing production and distribution operations. This individual will work closely with sales, production, vendors, and leadership to ensure materials are available when needed while maintaining appropriate inventory levels and controlling costs.

This is a hands on management position requiring someone comfortable managing daily purchasing responsibilities while overseeing a small team responsible for inventory handling, shipping, and receiving.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage daily purchasing and inventory operations across multiple manufacturing and distribution product lines.

• Create and manage approximately 10 to 20 purchase orders daily, ensuring accuracy and timely processing.

• Monitor inventory levels, analyze material usage, and establish appropriate reorder points and safety stock levels.

• Evaluate historical demand, supplier lead times, and inventory trends to support purchasing decisions and prevent shortages.

• Coordinate with vendors regarding pricing, availability, delivery schedules, and purchasing issues.

• Identify opportunities to reduce purchasing costs, improve inventory accuracy, and optimize stock levels.

• Oversee inventory control activities, including cycle counts, material tracking, and inventory adjustments.

• Supervise and support employees responsible for inventory picking, shipping, and receiving.

• Collaborate with sales, production, accounting, and leadership to ensure material availability and operational efficiency.

• Maintain accurate purchasing, inventory, pricing, and material records within the ERP system.

• Evaluate supplier price increases, purchasing alternatives, and inventory requirements to make informed recommendations.

• Identify and implement process improvements to strengthen purchasing and inventory operations.

Purchasing and Inventory Manager Background Profile

Required Qualifications:

• Experience working in a manufacturing environment with exposure to purchasing, inventory management, materials planning, or related supply chain functions.

• Practical understanding of inventory planning, including reorder points, safety stock, lead times, and material requirements.

• Experience creating purchase orders, coordinating with suppliers, and managing material availability.

• Ability to analyze inventory data and make purchasing decisions based on demand and operational needs.

• Experience using ERP or inventory management systems.

• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem solving skills.

• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and communicate effectively across departments.

• Associate degree in Supply Chain Management or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 10 or more years of overall experience working within a manufacturing plant or manufacturing environment. This does not need to be 10 years in purchasing or inventory management.

• Previous experience as a Purchasing Supervisor, Inventory Supervisor, Materials Planner, Senior Buyer, Purchasing Manager, or similar position.

• Experience supervising or leading employees in an inventory, warehouse, or manufacturing environment.

• Experience calculating safety stock for products with variable demand.

• Experience with material requirements planning (MRP), inventory optimization, and purchasing cost analysis.

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations, or a related field.

• Experience supporting both manufacturing raw materials and finished goods or distribution inventory.

Purchasing and Inventory Manager Features and Benefits

• Competitive base salary up to $80,000 annually.

• Multiple health and insurance plan options.

• 2 weeks of paid time off (PTO) plus paid holidays.

• Monday through Friday work schedule.

• Summer Hours: 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM with a 30 minute lunch.

• Winter Hours: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM with a 30 minute lunch.

• Advance notice provided prior to seasonal schedule changes.

• Direct hire opportunity with an established manufacturing company.

• Opportunity to take ownership of purchasing and inventory operations.

• Exposure to multiple manufacturing and distribution product lines.

• Collaborative environment with direct interaction with company leadership.

• Opportunity to implement process improvements and make a measurable operational impact.

Purchasing and Inventory Manager Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a hands on purchasing and inventory professional who understands both the physical movement of materials and the analytical planning required to maintain appropriate inventory levels.

This individual does not need to have held a management title for 10 years. A candidate with a strong manufacturing background who has developed purchasing, inventory planning, and analytical skills through progressively responsible positions could be an excellent fit.

Most importantly, the company needs someone who can independently evaluate inventory requirements, calculate reorder points and safety stock, manage purchasing activities, and keep materials flowing to support production and customer demand.