Purchasing Manager

LHH is seeking an experienced Purchasing Manager to lead the buying function for a high‑volume distribution operation. This role oversees a team responsible for sourcing, procurement, forecasting, and inventory performance across a broad range of finished goods. If you enjoy optimizing supply chain processes, developing people, and partnering with cross‑functional teams—this position may be a great fit. This position is fully onsite in Charlotte, NC Monday - Friday.

• Lead and mentor a team of buyers and purchasing coordinators, ensuring strong performance, development, and accountability.
• Oversee purchasing activities for a wide portfolio of stocked products, ensuring availability while managing cost, inventory levels, and working capital.
• Analyze inventory performance and recommend adjustments to improve turns, reduce excess or aging stock, and support customer demand.
• Collaborate closely with sales, operations, customer service, and finance to align purchasing strategies with business needs.
• Utilize ERP reports and forecasting tools to manage demand planning, replenishment, and purchasing automation.
• Evaluate supplier performance, resolve issues, and support the team in maintaining productive vendor relationships.
• Manage the full lifecycle of product inventory—from introduction to retirement—with a focus on minimizing waste and maximizing profitability.
• Use large datasets to identify patterns, exceptions, and opportunities for improvement.
• Support both domestic and international purchasing processes in coordination with logistics partners.

• 4+ years leading a purchasing or procurement team in a fast‑paced distribution or wholesale environment.
• Strong understanding of demand planning, forecasting, buying, and inventory optimization.
• Experience using ERP systems and advanced Excel functions to drive decision‑making.
• Familiarity with automated purchasing workflows (EDI or similar).
• Demonstrated ability to build strong teams, collaborate cross‑functionally, and operate with a high level of ownership.
• Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret data and turn insights into action.
• Experience with business intelligence tools or basic database queries.
• Familiarity with large, multi‑location distribution environments.