Head of Purchasing & Supply Chain

The Busch Group is a world leader in vacuum solutions. We offer first-class turnkey solutions, exceptional service, and high-quality products for every imaginable application and industry. Our two main brands are Busch Vacuum Solutions and Pfeiffer Vacuum+Fab Solutions.

Busch Group USA is seeking a Head of Purchasing & Supply Chain to provide strategic leadership for its U.S. purchasing and supply chain organization. This position is located at our headquarters in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

The Head of Purchasing & Supply Chain is responsible for leading Busch Group USA's purchasing, sourcing, inventory, logistics, and supply chain functions. Reporting directly to the President, this executive leadership role develops and executes strategies that drive supply continuity, operational efficiency, supplier performance, inventory optimization, and long-term business growth.

This position provides strategic leadership across sourcing, procurement, planning, logistics, warehousing, and supplier management while partnering closely with Manufacturing, Engineering, Finance, Sales, Quality, and Global teams to support organizational objectives. The role is responsible for ensuring the organization is positioned to drive cost competitiveness, operational excellence, and long-term value creation.

Targeted Compensation: The targeted compensation range for this position is $190,000–$200,000 annually, depending on the selected candidate's qualifications, skills, and relevant experience.

If you are an experienced supply chain executive with a passion for strategic leadership, supplier development, operational excellence, and organizational growth, we encourage you to apply and learn why Busch Group USA is a great place to build your career.

Job Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and lead the long-term purchasing and supply chain strategy for Busch Group USA in alignment with business goals and growth priorities.
• Serve as the senior leader for sourcing, procurement, planning, inventory strategy, logistics, and supply chain risk management.
• Advise the President and senior leadership team on supply chain opportunities, risks, constraints, and strategic trade-offs.
• Translate business strategy into an actionable supply chain roadmap with clear priorities, performance expectations, and measurable results.
• Lead initiatives that strengthen cost competitiveness, supply continuity, service, quality, and overall supply chain resilience.

Functional Leadership and Governance

• Provide strategic oversight to the Director of Purchasing and Supply Chain and the broader function to ensure strong execution, accountability, and alignment.
• Establish governance, policies, and decision-making frameworks across purchasing and supply chain activities.
• Ensure the organization has the right roles, capabilities, processes, and tools to support a high-performing and scalable supply chain model.
• Review functional performance, remove barriers to execution, and drive cross-functional alignment where standardization and leverage are needed.
• Lead succession planning, talent development, and organizational capability building within the function.

Sourcing and Supplier Strategy

• Lead enterprise sourcing strategy for direct materials, indirect materials, capital equipment, services, and other key spend categories.
• Oversee strategic supplier relationships, executive-level negotiations, and supplier performance management.
• Guide supplier segmentation, supplier development, and risk mitigation strategies to improve quality, service, and value.
• Ensure business continuity through contingency planning, supplier diversification, and market intelligence.
• Partner with Manufacturing, Engineering, Finance, Sales, Quality, and Global teams on sourcing decisions and long-range supply planning.

Supply Chain Performance

• Establish and monitor KPIs related to cost savings, on-time delivery, inventory turns, working capital, service levels, and quality performance.
• Lead inventory and supply strategies that balance customer requirements, operational efficiency, and cash flow objectives.
• Oversee warehousing, transportation, and distribution strategies to support timely and cost-effective movement of goods.
• Champion process discipline, ERP data integrity, and performance visibility across purchasing and supply chain activities.
• Use data, analytics, and benchmarking to identify gaps, improve decision-making, and drive continuous improvement.

Cross-Functional Partnership

• Partner closely with Manufacturing, Engineering, Finance, Sales, Quality, and Global counterparts to align supply chain priorities with business needs.
• Support new product introduction, business expansion, and supply chain transformation efforts through early involvement and strategic planning.
• Lead discussions related to supply risk, capacity constraints, cost management, and business continuity.
• Build strong working relationships with global supply chain partners to ensure alignment and leverage best practices where appropriate.

Compliance and Risk Management

• Ensure purchasing and supply chain practices comply with company policies, contractual requirements, legal standards, and ethical expectations.
• Oversee risk management related to supply continuity, supplier concentration, market volatility, lead-time instability, and external disruptions.
• Promote sound controls and governance across supplier agreements, procurement practices, and supply chain decision-making.
• Ensure compliance with all safety policies, practices, and procedures.

Required Experience

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Supply Chain, Logistics, Engineering, or a related field: Required
• Master's Degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain, or related field: Preferred

Experience:

• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in purchasing, sourcing, supply chain, or related functions within a manufacturing, industrial, or similarly complex environment: Required

• Significant experience leading at both strategic and organizational levels, including leadership of senior managers or directors: Required
• Proven success developing and executing sourcing and supply chain strategies that improve cost, quality, delivery, and business performance: Required
• Contract management experience: Required
• Strong knowledge of supplier negotiations, procurement practices, planning, inventory control, warehousing, logistics, and transportation management: Required
• Knowledge of legal, commercial, and ethical considerations related to purchasing and supplier agreements: Required
• Experience with ERP-enabled purchasing and supply chain environments: Required
• Strong understanding of working capital, total cost of ownership, performance metrics, and continuous improvement methods: Required
• Experience partnering with executive leadership on growth strategy, cost management, and organizational effectiveness: Required

Technical Skills:

• Proficient in Microsoft Office and ERP systems.
• Experience with analytics, planning, and procurement tools preferred.

Certifications & Licenses:

• Valid driver’s license must be maintained throughout employment at an acceptable level meeting Busch’s insurance standards.

• Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM), Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), or similar certification: Preferred

Leadership Competencies

• Strong executive leadership and team development skills
• Strategic thinker with the ability to align supply chain initiatives to business objectives
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management abilities
• Strong analytical, planning, and decision-making skills
• Ability to lead organizational change and drive continuous improvement initiatives
• Strong business acumen and executive presence
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and lead through complex business challenges
• Commitment to operational excellence, accountability, and ethical business practices
• Strong relationship-building and cross-functional collaboration skills

Job Requirements

• Ability and willingness to pass a 10-panel drug screen, 7-year criminal history check
  • Most felonies are a disqualifier, misdemeanors are considered on a case-by-case basis
• Willingness to travel approximately 25-35% domestically, internationally, and locally
• Valid Drivers’ License must be maintained throughout employment that meets Busch insurance standards
• Employment with Busch Group USA requires current work authorization in the United States. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Physical Requirements

• Frequent sitting, standing, walking, and communication
• Occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling up to 20 lbs
• Occasional reaching, grasping, and manual manipulation
• Ability to hear audible alarms and see visual signals
• Ability to wear required PPE, including safety footwear, safety glasses, hearing protection, and other equipment as required

Benefits & Opportunities

Busch Group USA offers an attractive benefits package, which includes medical, dental, vision, EAP, tuition reimbursement, Legal Plan, 401K, PTO, and more!

Opportunity for growth and advancement via on-the-job training, paid training/certifications, tuition reimbursement, and opportunities for advancement within the company. Busch values promoting from within!

Work Environment

Heated and air-conditioned office environment with periodic exposure to manufacturing and warehouse operations. Moderate noise levels may be present when visiting operational areas. Required PPE includes safety glasses, safety footwear, and hearing protection when in operational areas.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily.

Why work for Busch Group USA?

As diverse and boundless as the world of vacuum is, so are the jobs and tasks at Busch. We welcome all talents, regardless of education, age, gender, or nationality; worldwide.

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