Procurement Leader

First Quality was founded in 1989 and has grown to be a global privately held company with over 4,000 employees. Its corporate offices are located in Great Neck, New York, with manufacturing facilities and offices in Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Georgia, and Canada. First Quality is a diversified family of companies manufacturing consumer products ranging from Absorbent Hygiene (adult incontinence, feminine care, and baby care), Tissue (bath and towel), and Industrial (print and packaging materials), serving institutional and retail markets throughout the world. First Quality focuses on private label and branded product lines.

We are seeking a Procurement Leader for our First Quality Print & Packaging facility located in Anderson, SC. This position will oversee all aspects of the Purchasing department and will work closely both internally with all departments and externally with vendors and raw materials suppliers. The individual must be a solid relationship builder and an excellent representative of First Quality’s values and integrity. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in procurement, with proven experience in negotiation, cost reduction, and vendor management. Managerial skills are critical to lead a team and ensure efficient, cost-effective purchasing processes. The primary goal is to optimize and streamline purchasing efforts, achieve targeted cost savings through strategic sourcing, negotiations, and improved purchasing decisions.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Manage all procurement activities for direct and indirect materials (e.g., polypropylene, polyethylene), PPE, maintenance supplies, spare parts, resigns, service contracts and other critical items.
• Negotiate contracts and agreements with suppliers to secure favorable terms, pricing, and long-term partnerships.
• Oversee the management and renewal of all service contracts (e.g., equipment maintenance, vendor services) to ensure cost efficiency and reliability.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities through supplier consolidation, alternative sourcing, and other procurement strategies.
• Collaborate with internal departments (e.g., production, maintenance, and finance) to align purchasing efforts with the company’s operational goals.
• Develop and implement purchasing policies and procedures to improve overall procurement efficiency.
• Monitor market trends, supplier performance, and risk factors to ensure uninterrupted supply and competitive pricing.
• Lead a team of procurement professionals, providing guidance, training, and performance management.
• Prepare and present purchasing forecasts, budgets, and reports to senior management.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, industry regulations, and sustainability standards.

The ideal candidate should possess the following:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or related field. A Master’s degree or relevant certification (e.g., CPM, CPSM) is a plus.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a purchasing or procurement role, preferably in the flexible packaging industry or related manufacturing sectors.
• Strong negotiation skills with a proven track record of reducing costs and optimizing supplier agreements.
• Excellent managerial skills with experience leading and developing procurement teams.
• Ability to analyze data, make data-driven decisions, and implement cost-saving strategies.
• Experience with SAP or other ERP systems and procurement software.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with internal teams and external suppliers.
• High level of attention to detail, organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

• Achieve targeted cost savings and spend reduction goals.
• Maintain supply chain continuity and avoid production downtime.
• Improve supplier lead times and performance.
• Increase compliance with purchasing policies and procedures.