Procurement and Inventory Manager

Overview

Champion Strapping is seeking a Procurement and Inventory Manager with strong steel purchasing experience to manage raw material sourcing and align procurement with production scheduling. This role is responsible for sourcing prime and excess steel, maintaining vendor relationships, ensuring material specifications meet production requirements for steel strapping and seals, and synchronizing raw material flow with demand forecasts and production schedules.

This position plays a critical role in balancing cost, quality, service levels, and inventory turns while supporting manufacturing performance and strategic growth opportunities. The ideal candidate will be a forward-thinking professional who is passionate about continuous improvement and eager to make a significant impact on our bottom line.

This role is 5 days on site in our Canal Winchester, OH office with a base salary of $60,000/year.

• Source and purchase prime and excess/secondary steel from mills, traders, service centers, and distributors.
• Develop and manage strong vendor relationships to ensure competitive pricing, supply reliability, and quality compliance.
• Negotiate pricing, terms, and delivery schedules.
• Monitor market conditions (CRU/HRC trends, scrap, availability) to make informed purchasing decisions.
• Identify cost-saving and supply diversification opportunities.
• Raw Material Specification & Quality Alignment:
  Understand and manage steel specifications required for steel strapping and seal production (physical dimensions, hardness, chemistry, coating, surface condition).
• Work closely with production and quality teams to ensure materials meet manufacturing and performance requirements.
• Resolve material quality or compliance issues with suppliers.
• Production Scheduling & Planning:
  Align raw material procurement with demand forecasts, sales forecasts, strategic opportunity pipeline, and production capacity.
• Feed production schedules based on material availability and lead times.
• Maintain appropriate inventory levels to support service targets while minimizing carrying costs.
• Monitor on-time delivery and adjust procurement or schedules as needed to avoid production disruption.
• Cross-Functional Coordination:
  Collaborate with Sales, Operations, Production, and Finance to ensure alignment between purchasing decisions and business strategy.
• Provide visibility into material lead times, constraints, and cost trends.
• Support monthly S&OP or planning meetings with relevant procurement data.

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in purchasing and inventory management, preferably in a manufacturing environment.
• Direct experience purchasing prime and/or excess/secondary steel for manufacturing.
• Strong negotiation and supplier management skills.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficiency in inventory management software and ERP systems.
• Strong communication and relationship management skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment.
• A "big picture" thinker who is not afraid to challenge the status quo and drive positive change.

Champion Strapping is a manufacturer of steel strapping and seals as well as a distributor of plastic strapping and associated clips, buckles, and tools all utilized to secure steel strapping to the underlying products bound, stored, and transported.

As a key supplier to the industrial packaging market, we utilize automated and technologically superior methods of slitting, painting, and waxing steel coils into strapping-width cuts of steel that secure products in the most efficient, safe, and cost-effective manner. Our steel seals are continuously produced by running coils of steel through multiple machine presses at high speeds and strict tolerances. All internal processes are performed and tested to ASTM
3953-15 standards, ensuring adherence to industry standards and customer satisfaction.

Champion Strapping Products is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.