Purchasing and Materials Manager

Responsible for leading and managing all purchasing and procurement activities to ensure the timely, cost-effective, and quality-driven acquisition of materials, equipment, and services. This role develops supplier relationships, negotiates pricing and terms, monitors inventory and production needs, and closely collaborates with operations, production, engineering, and finance teams to support manufacturing goals and customer commitments.

It is strongly preferred that this position work in our Kearney, Nebraska office; however, other arrangements may be considered for the right individual.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Negotiates pricing, payment terms, lead times, freight arrangements, service levels, warranties, and other commercial terms to achieve the best overall value for Chief Agri.
• Builds and maintains strong supplier relationships to support reliable delivery, open communication, continuous improvement, and timely resolution of issues.
• Identifies, evaluates, and qualifies potential suppliers based on cost, quality, capacity, delivery performance, technical capability, financial stability, and overall business risk. Monitors supplier performance using measures such as quality, on-time delivery, responsiveness, lead times, cost competitiveness, and corrective action effectiveness.
• Establishes and maintains accurate material, component, freight, and supplier cost data and partners with internal departments to support product costing, quoting, budgeting, and financial analysis.
• Leads strategic sourcing initiatives, competitive bidding, supplier consolation, value analysis, and cost-reduction efforts without compromising quality, availability, or production requirements.
• Monitors market conditions, commodity trends, tariffs, freight costs, supply constraints, and other factors that may affect pricing or material availability; develops alternative sources and contingency plans as needed.
• Oversees purchasing and materials planning activities, ensures appropriate inventory levels, resolves supplier-related issues, maintains compliance with company policies, and establishes departmental goals and performance expectations.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Oversees the Purchasing department including providing direct oversight of the Buyer.

Education:

• High School Diploma, or GED, required.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain Management or related, preferred.

The Company:

Putting the needs of customers first has taken Chief Industries, Inc. from a small construction company in 1954, to a highly diverse company with a reputation for manufacturing quality products and offering unparalleled customer service. Through its many Brands and subsidiaries, Chief Industries employs over 1,400 skilled and dedicated employees who produce a wide variety of products, many of which are used around the world.

A Brand of Chief Industries, Chief Agri originated in 1961 and offers a full line of aeration and material handling products to help grain producers minimize storage costs and maximize the selling price of their commodities. Manufactured to exacting standards using heavy-duty materials and innovative designs, Chief grain conditioning, handling, and storage systems are sold throughout the world and have a reputation for providing many long years of dependable service.

Our Benefits:

This full-time position is eligible for full company benefits, including

• Paid vacation/time off
• 401(k) retirement plan plus company match
• Company-paid life insurance
• Company-paid short-term disability benefits
• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Financial wellness coaching
• Employee assistance program
• Paid holidays (8)
• Employee discounts
• Education assistance
• And much more.