Manager, National Purchasing

KB Home

2mo ago

Job
Full-time
Senior Level
Phoenix

AI generated summary

You need a Bachelor's in Business or related field, 5-8 years in purchasing/construction, strong analytical and leadership skills, and the ability to travel up to 15%.
You will manage supplier relationships, source materials, ensure contract compliance, resolve performance issues, negotiate contracts, and oversee team operations to meet divisional objectives.

Requirements

Education/Certifications/Licenses
* Bachelor's Degree required with a preferred major in Business, Construction Management, Procurement, Engineering, or related discipline
Experience
* Manager: 5-7 years of related work experience in purchasing, procurement and/or construction management
* Sr. Manager: 8+ years of related work experience in purchasing, procurement and/or construction management and prior experience managing employees
* Construction and supply chain experience is required
* Prior experience in Real Estate industry preferred, ideally in residential homebuilding
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
* Strong problem-solving abilities and able to recommend and communicate their proposed resolutions
* Self-directed; takes initiative, proactively addresses problems, able to work with minimal oversight; strong project management skills
* Strong interpersonal skills and outstanding Customer Service skills
* Ability to influence key leaders across the organization
* Strong written/verbal communication skills; ability to communicate effectively with confidence and professionalism
* Ability to manage conflict and resolve problems in a professional manner
* Ability to handle the stress of dealing with the public and making decisions in a high-volume fast-paced work environment.
* Daily contact with other departments, subcontractors and outside sales representatives
* Effective negotiating skills
* Analytical; with the ability to give, receive, analyze information, and interpret complex issues in order to determine the root problem and make effective decisions to bring the issue to a successful conclusion
* Highly organized and flexible; with the ability to prioritize multiple projects and meet deadlines, often with frequent interruptions and changing circumstances, in a high-volume fast-paced work environment
* Team player; with demonstrated ability to work within cross-functional teams
* Good leadership skills; ability to motivate and direct a professional staff
* Proficiency in Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, & Power Point), AS400, Homebuilder 1
* Construction experience is beneficial with the ability to read and understand blueprints
* Experience using JD Edwards database is a plus
* Sound judgment and a high level of integrity
* Accurate; with keen attention to detail in every aspect of the job
Work Requirements
* Conduct business in a professional and ethical manner to KB coworkers, trade partners, reinforcing goodwill and profitability for the company.
* Up to 15% domestic travel required
* Candidate should be located near a KB Home location with accessibility to a major airport so that they can easily travel to divisions and the office in Phoenix, AZ, as required; ideally candidate will be located in Phoenix, AZ

Responsibilities

National management of supplier relationships (cost, quality, productivity, service, concerns) with sustainability guidelines and efforts in mind
Source vendors of materials, equipment, and supplies and interview them to determine product availability and terms of sales
Identify opportunities to leverage national, regional, and divisional volume and establish course of action
Ensure each division is aligned with National contracts, sourcing strategy, initiatives, and directives
Ensure all national manufacturers and distributors meet company guidelines for insurance and credit worthiness
Collaborate with divisions and suppliers for solutions to performance/product availability challenges and implement improvement plans to monitor progress
Facilitate problem resolution related to nationally contracted products based on ever-changing tactical issues of KB Home supply chain
Develop product pricing guidelines (category specific), ensure accurate and competitive pricing across category, and audit pull through pricing
Collaborate with National Contracts leadership to establish purchasing goals that support the business plan and evaluate design changes and options offerings
Coordinate activities of company personnel engaged in buying, selling, and distributing materials, equipment, machinery, and supplies
Source input from division regarding Trade Partner performance and facilitate resolution related to field delays or issues to meet cycle time goals; resolves contract issues with Trade Partners
Monitor and communicate performance issues with trades, price and product changes, and strategy-impacting variables (i.e., supply chain issues and availability) to division purchasing leadership
Responsible for strategic plans for estimated homebuilding contracts values above $40-90M
Assist with recruiting large vendor and trade base to meet divisional objectives
Facilitate New Product implementation by creating training plans and being a reference point for the divisions for the new products
Lead take-off and cost unbundling efforts; identify take-off issues and develop solutions
Lead national rebate setup, invoicing, collections, and auditing
Drive consistency in product usage throughout the company
Work with divisions and centralized purchasing administration to maximize incentive collections
Support finance by providing and confirming rebate related information
Analyze market and delivery systems to assess present and future material availability
Review purchase order requests to ensure they are in line with contracts and guidelines
Oversee cost changes and negotiate when necessary
Lead the negotiation and contracting of all national and regional manufacturers and make key decisions on sourcing, developing new suppliers, and negotiating terms.
Make sound and thorough recommendations with implementation plans based on the strategy as discussed with senior purchasing and corporate leadership
Firm familiarity with suppliers and able to articulate how recommendations apply to varying stakeholders including corporate, trades, and divisions
Increased level of autonomy and able to take direction based on the strategy and formulate plans for review that would be potentially implemented nationwide
Navigate nuances of varying regions within the company to ensure sound recommendations; actively problem-solve for divisions with supplier issues
Provide management and oversight of assigned employees, including communication of goals and objectives, delivering effective feedback, handling performance management, participating in recruiting/hiring, and communicating corrective actions as needed

FAQs

What are the primary responsibilities of the Manager, National Purchasing?

The primary responsibilities include managing supplier relationships, implementing the company-wide sourcing strategy, developing product pricing guidelines, overseeing procurement management, and leading cost reduction efforts.

What kind of experience is required for this position?

For the Manager role, 5-7 years of related work experience in purchasing, procurement, and/or construction management is required. For the Sr. Manager role, 8+ years of experience and prior management of employees is necessary, preferably in residential homebuilding.

What educational background is preferred for this job?

A Bachelor's Degree is required, with preferred majors in Business, Construction Management, Procurement, Engineering, or related disciplines.

Is prior experience in the real estate industry necessary?

While not strictly required, prior experience in the real estate industry, especially in residential homebuilding, is preferred.

What kind of skills are essential for this role?

Essential skills include strong problem-solving abilities, effective communication, negotiation skills, analytical thinking, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to manage conflict professionally.

Will there be any travel required for this position?

Yes, up to 15% domestic travel is required, and candidates should ideally be located near a KB Home location with accessibility to a major airport.

What software proficiency is expected?

Proficiency in Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, & Power Point), as well as familiarity with AS400 and Homebuilder 1, is expected. Experience using JD Edwards database is a plus.

What is the work environment like?

The work environment is fast-paced and high-volume, requiring the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines, as well as navigate conflicts and problem-solving situations.

What are the advancement opportunities within the company?

KB Home offers amazing promotional opportunities along with above-average compensation packages and earnings potential.

Is KB Home an equal opportunity employer?

Yes, KB Home is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce, recognizing the importance of diversity in their team.

KB Home

Built on Relationships

Real Estate

Industry

1001-5000

Employees

1957

Founded Year

Mission & Purpose

KB Home is one of the largest and most recognized homebuilders in the United States, operating in 47 markets from coast to coast, and building over 680,000 quality homes in our more than 65-year history. What sets KB Home apart is our focus on building strong, personal relationships with every customer — from those buying their first home to experienced buyers — so they have a real partner in the homebuying process. No two KB homes are the same. That’s because every home is uniquely built for each customer, at a price that fits their budget. As the leader in energy-efficient homebuilding, KB Home was the first national builder to make a broad commitment to building ENERGY STAR® certified homes, a standard that fewer than 10% of new homes nationwide meet, and KB Home has built more ENERGY STAR certified homes than any other builder. An energy-efficient KB home helps lower the cost of ownership and is designed to deliver greater comfort and well-being than new homes without certification. Reflecting the company’s commitment to creating an exceptional homebuying experience, KB Home is the #1 customer-ranked national homebuilder based on homebuyer satisfaction surveys from a leading third-party review site.