Internal - Purchasing Manager

YOUR TASKS

Summary

Responsible for the overall effectiveness of the Plant Purchasing department. The individual will lead a team of employees covering Raw Materials, Facilities, and Capital Investment to investigate, evaluate, plan, and coordinate commodity areas while maintaining proper function of the Sumter facility. This is an onsite position.

HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT

• Lead and manage direct reports covering Raw Materials, Facilities, and Capital Investment areas
• Oversee the Purchasing department budgeting process and monitor departmental Key Performance Indicators including Raw Material Inventory CUD, Forecast Accuracy, Purchase Order Confirmations, and Savings
• Conduct and lead BT2 (RAPID) meetings to facilitate effective communication flow
• Review and prepare procedures within area of responsibility to ensure conformance with corporate and regional policies and requirements
• Manage SAP utilization to execute order preparation through timely delivery for Polymers, Fillers, Chemicals, Reinforcements, and related materials, supporting production needs while optimizing working capital
• Analyze MRP to identify risks and opportunities relating to current and future supply; update SAP material master data as necessary
• Collaborate with PI, Quality, and RMW to ensure seamless raw material flow
• Monitor, report, and resolve material shortage issues, supplier delivery and transportation performance, raw material quality issues, and accounts payable topics; drive recovery of supplier claims relating to quality and delivery
• Supervise the purchasing and import processes of equipment, provide support, and monitor the activities of the Investment Buyer to ensure that the factory’s investment project demands are met within the established deadlines, specifications, and quality standards.
• Identify cost reduction opportunities, alternatives, and support PIP/VL Savings initiatives; review ATS to ensure objectives are achieved
• Serve as primary point of contact for plant purchasing issues in coordination with Corporate Purchasing; support supplier reviews with data when appropriate
• Maintain effective information flow with internal and external contacts; act as liaison between plant and Regional/Corporate Purchasing; represent Regional/Corporate Purchasing with local management
• Address plant management needs and regional market demands in coordination with Regional/Corporate Purchasing
• Provide Regional/Corporate Purchasing with accurate forecasts for budgeting, production changes, and market/supplier knowledge gained through daily operations
• Prepare monthly stock reporting, update PULSE forecast data, create PSI schedules when necessary, and provide management updates supporting continuous improvement of plant purchasing activities and various meetings (POR, etc.)
• Ensure full compliance with all corporate, regional policies, and the One Voice Policy
• Be self-managed, detail-oriented, and capable of performing under pressure
• Follow all plant, ESH, CBS, quality, and department processes and procedures
• Other duties as assigned

NOTE: May not be inclusive of all work required and may be updated as needed.

To be transparent about hiring for this position, Continental has identified a preferred candidate.  This is not intended to discourage other candidates from applying for this position.  Furthermore, Continental has not offered the preferred candidate the position.  "Preferred Candidate" means either 1) the position is being performed by someone who satisfies the job's requirements, or 2) a current employee has been identified as a successor through HR processes.

WHAT YOU BRING TO THE ROLE

• Bachelor's Degree in Business or related field
• 7+ years of purchasing experience in a manufacturing environment
• Previous experience dealing with international vendors and colleagues
• Project management experience
• Negotiation skills
• 5+ years leadership experience, leading people
• This role is an internal only position, external applicants will not be considered for this role
• Legal authorization to work in the U.S. is required. We will not sponsor individuals for employment visas now or in the future for this job posting
• No relocation assistance is offered for this position

ADDITIONAL WAYS TO STAND OUT

• Previous experience with international responsibilities
• Previous experience with raw material demand planning
• Some travel required

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

EEO-Statement:

EEO / Disabled / Protected Veteran Employer. Continental offers equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals, without regard to unlawful consideration to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. In addition, as a federal contractor, Continental complies with government regulations, including affirmative action responsibilities for qualified individuals with a disability and protected veterans, where they apply. To be considered, you must apply for a specific position for which Continental has a current posted job opening. Qualifying applications will be considered only for the specific opening(s) to which you apply. If you would like to be considered for additional or future job openings, we encourage you to reapply for other opportunities as they become available. Further, Continental provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance in the application process, please reply to Careers@conti-na.com or contact US Recruiting at 800-821-2727. This telephone line and email address are reserved solely for job seekers with disabilities requesting accessibility assistance or an accommodation in the job application process. Please do not call about the status of your job application, if you do not require accessibility assistance or an accommodation. Messages left for other purposes, such as following up on an application or non-disability related technical issues, will not receive a call back.

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Continental is a leading tire manufacturer and industry specialist that develops and produces sustainable, safe and convenient solutions for automotive manufacturers as well as industrial and end customers worldwide. Founded in 1871, the company generated sales of €19.7 billion in 2025 and currently employs around 78,000 people in 54 countries and markets.

With its premium portfolio in the car, truck, bus, two-wheel and specialty tire segment, the Tires group sector stands for innovative solutions in tire technology. Intelligent products and services related to tires and the promotion of sustainability complete the product portfolio. For specialist dealers and fleet management, Tires offers digital tire monitoring and tire management systems, in addition to other services, with the aim of keeping fleets mobile and increasing their efficiency. With its tires, Continental makes a significant contribution to safe, efficient and environmentally friendly mobility.