At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team in managing purchasing for chemicals and equipment, focusing on supplier negotiation and inventory strategy.
- Company: Established Australian manufacturer with a global presence in specialty chemicals.
- Benefits: Opportunity to influence supplier strategy and career growth in a dynamic environment.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team and drive continuous improvement in purchasing processes.
- Why this job: Make a measurable impact in a leadership role within a diverse purchasing portfolio.
- Qualifications: Experience in purchasing, supplier management, and team leadership in manufacturing.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 110000 $ per year.
Our client is an established Australian manufacturer and supplier providing specialty chemical products, technical equipment and associated parts to a diverse range of industrial and commercial markets. As part of a global business, the Australian operation has a national presence supported by manufacturing, warehousing and distribution capability across multiple locations.
Based from a key manufacturing facility in Melbourne's south-east, this role manages a broad purchasing portfolio spanning chemical raw materials, packaging, finished goods, specialist equipment, components and spare parts, with a significant proportion sourced from international manufacturers. The organisation is technically focused, commercially driven and operates in an environment where continuity of supply, safety, compliance, inventory management and supplier performance are critical.
THE OPPORTUNITY
You will lead an experienced team of three purchasing professionals and provide direction across local and international sourcing, supplier management, MRP review, inventory planning and commercial purchasing decisions. The role focuses on leadership, review, approval, coordination, and analysis. You will oversee purchasing activity, challenge and approve decisions, manage key suppliers, review stock requirements and drive stronger purchasing disciplines across the business. You will also have oversight of inventory across company warehouses and third-party logistics providers, ensuring appropriate stock coverage while balancing cost, availability and working capital.
Some key responsibilities will include:
- Leading, coaching and developing the purchasing team
- Overseeing purchasing across chemicals, packaging, finished goods, equipment and spare parts
- Managing and negotiating with key domestic and international suppliers
- Reviewing MRP requirements, stock levels, backorders, long lead-time items and purchasing priorities
- Driving better pricing, landed-cost outcomes and supplier performance
- Overseeing supplier contracts, renewals, distributorships and supplier assessment processes
- Reviewing inventory across company warehouses and 3PL locations, including slow-moving and excess stock
- Leading purchasing meetings and working closely with Sales, Operations, Regulatory, Quality, Technical and Finance
- Driving continuous improvement across purchasing processes, systems and team performance
- Remaining close enough to the operation to support the team when required
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
To be successful, you will ideally bring:
- Demonstrated experience leading a purchasing, procurement or materials function within manufacturing or process manufacturing
- Proven people leadership and team development experience
- Strong international sourcing and supplier management capability
- Experience purchasing chemical raw materials, hazardous or dangerous goods, ideally alongside equipment, components or spare parts
- Practical knowledge of SDS, CAS numbers and dangerous-goods storage and transport considerations
- Strong commercial negotiation and supplier relationship skills
- Sound understanding of MRP, inventory planning, stockholding, reorder points and supply continuity
- Experience balancing landed cost, MOQ, lead time, inventory investment and supply risk
- Exposure to multi-site inventory or 3PL environments would be highly regarded
- Strong ERP/MRP, analytical and problem-solving capability
- A leadership style that combines commercial oversight with strong operational awareness
- Experience within specialty chemicals, personal care, cleaning and disinfectant products, agrochemicals, coatings, fragrances, industrial ingredients, industrial equipment or a comparable manufacturing environment would be particularly well regarded.
- An established network of relevant local and international suppliers would also be highly valued.
WHY JOIN
This is a great purchasing leadership role within the Australian operation of an established global business. You will inherit an experienced team and a diverse purchasing portfolio, with the scope to influence supplier strategy, inventory management, pricing outcomes and purchasing performance across a national operation. For someone who enjoys the combination of people leadership, international sourcing, supplier negotiation, inventory strategy and commercial decision-making, this is a role where you can make a visible and measurable impact.
Purchasing Manager - Chemicals in Melbourne employer: CS Executive Group
Join a highly respected Australian manufacturer known for its innovative polyurethane systems and equipment, where you can take ownership of operations and play a pivotal role in driving growth. With a strong focus on employee development, a collaborative work culture, and the opportunity to influence key operational strategies, this position offers a rewarding career pathway in a dynamic environment. Located in Melbourne, you'll be part of a team that values quality, safety, and continuous improvement, making a tangible impact on the business and its future.
