Title: Director of Purchasing

Location: Houston, TX

Duration: Direct Hire

Work Requirements: U.S. Citizen, Green Card Holder, or Authorized to Work in the U.S.

Summary

We’re seeking a strategic and hands-on Director of Purchasing to lead all procurement operations for a large-scale industrial distributor. This role oversees purchasing strategy, supplier relationships, cost management, and inventory optimization across multiple product lines. The ideal candidate brings strong leadership in industrial, MRO, or safety/PPE distribution, excels at building structure within a high-volume purchasing environment, and can balance strategic sourcing with day-to-day execution. This person will work closely with Operations, Sales, and Finance leadership to improve supplier performance, reduce lead times, and enhance profitability through smart purchasing decisions and system improvements.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of buyers and purchasing specialists across multiple product categories.
• Drive purchasing strategy to align with company growth goals, optimizing cost, quality, and delivery metrics.
• Oversee supplier negotiations, vendor onboarding, and performance metrics.
• Implement purchasing KPIs, demand planning, and forecasting processes to improve inventory turns and working capital.
• Partner with Finance and Operations to streamline purchasing workflows, including system integrations and reporting.
• Identify and mitigate supply chain risks by diversifying vendor base and improving communication channels.
• Lead or support ERP system upgrades and ensure purchasing data integrity across platforms.
• Collaborate with Sales and Product Management teams to forecast demand and align purchasing strategy with market trends.
• Continuously evaluate vendor contracts to ensure competitiveness and compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, or related field; MBA or CPSM preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive purchasing experience, including at least 5 years in a leadership capacity.
• Background in distribution, manufacturing, or industrial products (PPE, rigging, or safety supplies) preferred.
• Proven ability to manage large vendor portfolios, negotiate complex contracts, and drive cost savings.
• Strong ERP and reporting system experience (Epicor, SAP, NetSuite, or similar).
• Excellent leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Analytical mindset with a hands-on approach to problem-solving.

EEO Statement

Summa Staffing Technologies is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, or any other protected status.