Purchasing Associate Jobs in Alabama (NOW HIRING)

People know Snap-on for the quality of our products, but we know that it is the passion and character of our people that make our company a global leader. With our diverse talents and deep pride in the Snap-on family of brands, we drive innovation and create value. We work hard together. We grow together. We are one Snap-on team.

Snap-on Tools offers an excellent benefits package after only 30 days of service to include:

• Three health insurance plans to choose from, one includes an employer contribution Health Savings Account (HSA) with an employer contribution.
• Vision and Dental Insurance plans
• An option for a Flexible Spending Account and Dependent Spending Account (FSA)
• Company paid life insurance, as well as short and long term disability coverage.
• Employee assistance program (EAP)
• Supplemental Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance can be purchased at nominal rates
• Discounts on travel and company products including tools
• A tuition reimbursement program
• A 401K with an employer match/contribution
• Paid vacation time
• 11 paid holidays
• Plus all of our associates are paid WEEKLY.

We presently have a full-time position at our Elkmont, Alabama manufacturing plant for a Materials and Purchasing Manager. This position reports directly to the Plant Manager and is on-site.

The Materials and Purchasing Manager is responsible for ensuring uninterrupted material flow to support the manufacturing operations while optimizing inventory levels, supplier performance, and procurement costs. This role leads purchasing, materials planning, inventory control, and supplier management activities to meet safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Purchasing and Supplier Management

• Develop and execute purchasing strategies aligned with business objectives
• Source, negotiate, and manage supplier agreements and contracts
• Evaluate supplier performance on quality, delivery, cost, and responsiveness
• Lead supplier development and corrective action initiatives
• Identify cost reduction and continuous improvement opportunities

Materials Planning and Inventory Management

• Ensure material availability to support the production schedules
• Manage the MRP/ERP planning processes and inventory accuracy
• Establish inventory targets and monitor inventory turns
• Reduce excess, obsolete, and slow-moving inventory
• Coordinate cycle counts and physical inventory activities
• Supervise the shipping and receiving activities

Operations Support

• Collaborate closely with Production, Engineering, Quality, and Finance teams
• Support new product introductions and engineering change management
• Resolve material shortages and supply chain disruptions
• Develop contingency plans to mitigate supply risks

Team Leadership

• Lead and develop purchasing and materials personnel
• Establish department goals, KPI's, and performance metrics
• Coach team members and promote a culture of accountability and continuous improvement
• Support succession planning and associate development

Reporting and Compliance

• Monitor purchasing spend and budget performance
• Ensure compliance with company policies and procurement procedures
• Prepare and present supply chain performance reports to leadership
• Maintain compliance with applicable quality and regulatory requirements

Qualifications

Education

• A Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations Management, Engineering, or a related field
• MBA or advanced degree is preferred

Experience

• 5 + years of purchasing, materials management or supply chain leadership experience
• Manufacturing environment experience is required
• Experience managing suppliers and contract negotiations
• Previous supervisory or management experience is preferred

Technical Skills

• Strong ERP/MRP systems experience (Infor LN, SAP, Oracle, JD Edwards, etc.).
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and data analysis, including Power BI
• Inventory management and demand planning experience
• Understanding of procurement and supply chain best practices

Leadership Competencies

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
• Results-oriented with strong organizational skills

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Supplier On-Time Delivery (%)
• Inventory Turns
• Material Shortage Incidents
• Purchase Price Variance (PPV)
• Inventory Accuracy
• Supplier Quality Performance (PPM)
• Cost Savings Achievement
• Production Schedule Attainment

Preferred Certifications

• APICS CPIM
• APICS CSCP
• CPSM (Certified Professional in Supply Management)
• Lean Manufacturing Certification
• Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt