Purchasing Manager - Chemicals

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 onleadership, 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.

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