Global Purchasing Manager

Description

We're looking for first Global Purchasing Manager to build and lead a centralized purchasing function across the business.

This is a true build role. You will establish the global purchasing organisation from the ground up — defining the operating model, governance, supplier strategy and team. Starting with our core product categories and expanding into indirect materials and logistics, you'll create a function that drives efficiency, visibility and long-term value across the company.

This is an opportunity to transform purchasing from a decentralized operational activity into a strategic business function, working with a high degree of ownership, autonomy and focus on outcomes.

This role can be based in either Winona, Minnesota (US) or Heerenveen (Netherlands), where our manufacturing and distribution operations are located. We offer a hybrid working model, and full-time on-site presence is not required.

Key responsibilities

Strategic leadership (~30%)

• Define and execute the global purchasing strategy in line with the company's operational and business objectives.
• Build the global purchasing organisation, including its operating model, commodity structure, governance, policies and processes.
• Lead the procurement technology roadmap, including AI-enabled purchasing workflows and automation.
• Develop strategic supplier partnerships and manage key executive-level supplier relationships.
• Report purchasing performance, risks and opportunities to senior leadership.

Financial ownership (~25%)

• Own the global purchasing budget and deliver measurable savings through strategic sourcing and supplier management.
• Lead spend analysis, should-cost modelling and savings tracking in partnership with Finance, ensuring robust and transparent methodologies.
• Drive working capital optimisation while maintaining supply resilience.
• Build business cases for major procurement initiatives and investment decisions.

Team leadership (~20%)

• Recruit, develop and lead a high-performing global purchasing team.
• Set clear expectations, establish performance standards and provide timely coaching and feedback.
• Foster a culture of accountability, ownership and continuous improvement while supporting the professional growth of the team.

Operational excellence (~15%)

• Ensure purchasing supports business operations by balancing cost, quality, service and supply continuity.
• Partner closely with production planning, logistics and warehouse operations to align purchasing with business demand.
• Embed purchasing processes into ERP and digital transformation initiatives.
• Own procurement KPIs, drive continuous improvement and ensure compliance with legal, regulatory and internal policies.

Stakeholder management (~10%)

• Build trusted partnerships across business functions to understand demand and deliver commercial value.
• Lead organisational adoption of purchasing best practices and represent the function in cross-functional leadership forums.
• Build credibility through transparency, collaboration and consistent delivery of results.

Requirements

Must have

• 8+ years of experience in strategic procurement or sourcing, including 5+ years in people leadership and ownership of significant spend within manufacturing, print, consumer products or distribution.
• Proven experience building procurement capabilities from the ground up, including category strategies, governance and supplier frameworks, rather than solely managing established functions.
• Strong commercial negotiation skills with a demonstrated record of delivering measurable cost savings and business value.
• Solid financial and analytical capabilities, including spend analysis, should-cost modelling, business case development and savings tracking.
• Experience with modern procurement and ERP platforms (e.g. SAP, Ariba, Coupa or similar) and a strong interest in using AI-enabled tools to improve procurement effectiveness.
• A hands-on leadership style with the willingness to work directly with suppliers, manufacturing sites and internal stakeholders.
• Leadership behaviours aligned with our culture: ownership, accountability, direct communication, problem solving and developing high-performing teams.
• Fluent English and the ability to operate effectively across US and European business environments.

Nice to have

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Engineering or a related discipline; MBA, MSc or professional certifications (CIPS, CPSM, CPM) are an advantage.
• Experience in paper, print, publishing or musical instrument categories.
• Experience implementing procurement processes as part of an ERP transformation (NetSuite is a plus).
• Dutch or German language skills.