Head of Procurement

Head of Purchasing

Location: Raleigh, NC or Corpus Christi, TX | OnsiteClient OverviewTRC Talent is partnering with a rapidly expanding firm supporting electrical equipment, integration, fabrication, automation, and field services operations.

As the company continues to scale, this industry leader is building out the procurement infrastructure, strategic supplier partnerships, and operational processes necessary to drive sustainable growth.Position OverviewTRC Talent Solutions is seeking an experienced, results-driven Head of Purchasing on behalf of this leading firm. This is a highly visible, executive-facing leadership role tasked with building, scaling, and directing the enterprise's purchasing and strategic sourcing organization. The ideal candidate is a builder rather than a maintainer. You will bring proven manufacturing procurement leadership, deep fluency in electrical and industrial supply chains, and the ability to seamlessly bridge top-down sourcing strategy with hands-on purchasing execution and commercial negotiations.Executive SummaryThe Head of Purchasing will formulate and execute enterprise-wide sourcing strategies, establish long-term strategic supplier alliances, negotiate complex commercial agreements, secure material availability, and implement rigorous procurement controls. Working across Operations, Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, Project Management, Finance, and Logistics, this leader will drive supplier excellence, lower total cost of ownership (TCO), optimize working capital, and directly influence gross margins and EBITDA.Key ResponsibilitiesStrategic Sourcing & Category ManagementDevelop and execute category management strategies across key industrial spend areas, including:Electrical and switchgear componentsAutomation hardware, PLCs, and controls equipmentStructural and fabricated steelCopper bus and electrical power distribution materialsCable tray, conduit, and racewaysSubcontracted engineering and site servicesFreight, logistics, and transportation servicesLead annual cost-reduction, value-engineering, and total cost of ownership initiatives without compromising delivery schedules or product quality.Cultivate dual-sourcing and alternate supplier networks to mitigate supply chain disruptions and reduce sole-source risk.Leadership & Operational ExecutionArchitect, recruit, and mentor a high-performing procurement organization spanning purchasing, tactical buying, expediting, and sourcing.Establish standard operating procedures (SOPs), purchasing policies, delegation of authority (DOA) controls, and operational KPIs.Partner with Operations and Manufacturing leadership to ensure production readiness, capacity scaling, and seamless execution for new product introductions (NPI).Leverage ERP systems to streamline material requirements planning (MRP), requisition-to-PO workflows, and inventory tracking.Develop procurement dashboards to establish executive visibility, transparency, and accountability across key supply chain metrics.Commercial Negotiations & Supplier PerformanceStructure and negotiate master supply agreements (MSAs), multi-million-dollar purchase contracts, volume rebate structures, long-term pricing agreements, and favorable payment terms.Establish formal supplier qualification protocols, vendor scorecards, business reviews (QBRs), and non-conformance resolution pathways in collaboration with Quality and Engineering.Optimize cash flow, working capital, and inventory turns through proactive vendor-managed inventory (VMI) programs, consignment arrangements, and disciplined demand-planning cycles.RequiredEducation: Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Operations, Business Administration, or a related field.Experience: 10+ years of progressive procurement, purchasing, or strategic sourcing experience within an industrial or discrete manufacturing environment.Leadership: 5+ years of direct management experience leading procurement or supply chain teams.Contracting Acumen: Proven track record of drafting, structuring, and negotiating multi-million-dollar supplier agreements and MSAs.Systems & Process: Demonstrated success building procurement infrastructure from the ground up, implementing governance frameworks, and working with major enterprise ERP platforms.Operational Agility: Proven capacity to pivot between macro-level sourcing strategy and tactical problem-solving in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.PreferredDirect sourcing background within electrical equipment, switchgear, control panels, power distribution, automation, or heavy industrial machinery manufacturing.Prior experience scaling a middle-market or private-equity-backed industrial manufacturer through high-growth phases.Formal training in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies.Professional certifications such as CPSM, CPM, CSCP, or CPIM.TRC Talent Solutions is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.