Interim Supply Chain & Purchasing Manager

About the Company

We are seeking an experienced Interim Supply Chain & Purchasing Manager to support the transformation of one of our clients, a leading international industrial manufacturing company, at its North American manufacturing facility.

About the Role

This is a high-impact interim assignment for a hands-on leader who can quickly stabilize supply chain operations, strengthen procurement performance, and drive operational improvements within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

Supply Chain Leadership

• Lead all purchasing, sourcing, materials planning, and inventory management activities.
• Ensure uninterrupted material supply to support production schedules.
• Identify and mitigate supply chain risks.
• Improve inventory accuracy, inventory turns, and working capital performance.

Procurement & Supplier Management

• Manage strategic supplier relationships and performance.
• Negotiate commercial agreements and supplier contracts.
• Resolve supplier delivery, quality, and capacity issues.
• Develop sourcing strategies to improve cost, quality, and service.
• Identify and deliver procurement savings opportunities.

Operations & Planning

• Partner with Manufacturing, Engineering, Production Planning, Finance, and Quality teams.
• Improve forecasting, demand planning, and material requirements planning (MRP).
• Support Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP).
• Monitor and improve supply chain KPIs.

Team Leadership

• Lead, coach, and develop the purchasing and supply chain team.
• Set priorities and performance expectations.
• Foster accountability and continuous improvement.

Continuous Improvement

• Conduct a rapid operational assessment.
• Develop and execute short-term improvement plans.
• Drive Lean and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Provide regular progress updates to leadership.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years' experience in Supply Chain, Procurement, or Operations leadership.
• Proven experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Background in industrial machinery, automotive, engineered products, or heavy equipment is preferred.
• Strong supplier negotiation and contract management experience.
• Demonstrated success leading operational improvements and managing change.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems.

Preferred Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, Operations, or a related discipline.
• Previous interim management, turnaround, or transformation experience.
• Experience working within an international manufacturing organization.