Location: Kitchener, Ontario
Contract Type: Interim Assignment
Start Date: Immediate
Duration: 6-month assignment
About the Opportunity
A leading international industrial manufacturing company is seeking an experienced Interim Supply Chain & Purchasing Manager to support one of its North American manufacturing facilities.
This is a high-impact interim assignment for a hands-on leader who can quickly stabilize supply chain operations, strengthen procurement performance, and drive operational improvements within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
The Assignment
Reporting to the Plant Manager and working closely with regional and global leadership teams, you will lead the site's purchasing and supply chain activities to ensure material availability, improve supplier performance, optimize inventory, and support production continuity.
This role requires an experienced interim leader capable of rapidly assessing the current environment, implementing practical solutions, and delivering measurable business results.
Key Responsibilities
Supply Chain Leadership
- Lead all purchasing, sourcing, materials planning, and inventory management activities.
- Ensure uninterrupted material supply to support production schedules.
- Identify and mitigate supply chain risks.
- Improve inventory accuracy, inventory turns, and working capital performance.
Procurement & Supplier Management
- Manage strategic supplier relationships and performance.
- Negotiate commercial agreements and supplier contracts.
- Resolve supplier delivery, quality, and capacity issues.
- Develop sourcing strategies to improve cost, quality, and service.
- Identify and deliver procurement savings opportunities.
Operations & Planning
- Partner with Manufacturing, Engineering, Production Planning, Finance, and Quality teams.
- Improve forecasting, demand planning, and material requirements planning (MRP).
- Support Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP).
- Monitor and improve supply chain KPIs.
Team Leadership
- Lead, coach, and develop the purchasing and supply chain team.
- Set priorities and performance expectations.
- Foster accountability and continuous improvement.
Continuous Improvement
- Conduct a rapid operational assessment.
- Develop and execute short-term improvement plans.
- Drive Lean and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Provide regular progress updates to leadership.
Required Experience
- Minimum 10 years' experience in Supply Chain, Procurement, or Operations leadership.
- Proven experience within a manufacturing environment.
- Background in industrial machinery, automotive, engineered products, or heavy equipment is preferred.
- Strong supplier negotiation and contract management experience.
- Demonstrated success leading operational improvements and managing change.
- Experience with ERP/MRP systems
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, Operations, or a related discipline.
- Previous interim management, turnaround, or transformation experience.
- Experience working within an international manufacturing organization.
Key Competencies
- Operational leadership
- Strategic sourcing and procurement
- Supply chain optimization
- Inventory management
- Supplier relationship management
- Change management
- Lean / Continuous Improvement
- Strong communication and stakeholder management
- Results-oriented and hands-on leadership style
Success Measures
Within the first six months, the successful interim manager will:
- Stabilize material availability and supplier performance.
- Improve inventory control and supply chain visibility.
- Reduce production disruptions caused by supply shortages.
- Deliver measurable procurement savings and operational improvements.
- Establish a sustainable roadmap for long-term supply chain performance.
