Nexceris is seeking a results-driven Procurement/Supply Chain Manager to own the end-to-end supply chain, including sourcing, purchasing, inventory planning and allocation, supplier development, and logistics for a growing advanced materials and clean energy technology business. This role is ideal for a procurement or supply chain professional with a strong chemical, materials, or manufacturing background who can make sound technical purchasing decisions, ensure timely availability of critical materials, strengthen supplier relationships, and help scale operations from development through pilot production and commercialization.
Key Responsibilities
- Own the end-to-end supply chain process, including demand review, sourcing, purchasing, procurement execution, expediting, supplier coordination, inventory planning, materials flow, and inbound/outbound logistics.
- Purchase chemicals, catalysts, ceramics, powders, coatings, specialty materials, equipment, packaging, and contract manufacturing services in alignment with production, R&D, quality, and customer requirements.
- Partner with R&D, engineering, quality, production, and commercial teams to ensure materials meet technical, quality, cost, and delivery requirements.
- Evaluate suppliers for technical capability, regulatory compliance, quality performance, reliability, scalability, and total cost of ownership.
- Negotiate pricing, contracts, lead times, payment terms, and supply agreements that support business objectives and customer commitments.
- Issue purchase orders, confirm order acknowledgments, track deliveries, resolve shortages or discrepancies, and proactively communicate material availability risks to internal stakeholders.
- Build inventory planning processes that balance service levels, cash flow, shelf-life constraints, production schedules, and demand variability.
- Identify supply risks and develop mitigation plans for long-lead, single-source, hazardous, regulated, or highly specialized materials.
- Support scale-up, pilot production, and commercialization efforts by ensuring robust supply availability and supplier readiness.
- Monitor supplier performance using metrics such as on-time delivery, quality, responsiveness, cost savings, and corrective action closure.
- Drive continuous improvement in procurement processes, ERP data accuracy, supplier documentation, and cross-functional communication.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Operations, Business, or related field.
- Two or more years of progressive experience in supply chain, procurement, strategic sourcing, materials management, or operations within a technical manufacturing environment.
- Experience purchasing and managing supply of chemicals, specialty materials, engineered components, production equipment, or related technical materials.
- Ability to identify and implement improvements to the supply chain and procurement processes
- Strong understanding of supplier qualification, purchasing controls, purchase order management, inventory management, cost analysis, and contract negotiation.
- Ability to understand technical specifications, safety data sheets, quality requirements, and material compatibility considerations.
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication abilities; clearly coordinate priorities, risks, and timelines with internal stakeholders and external suppliers.
- Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally with technical, quality, operations, finance, and commercial stakeholders.
- Strong analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
- Experience using ERP, MRP, inventory planning, or procurement systems.
Preferred Qualifications
- Background in chemistry, chemical distribution, specialty chemicals, catalysts, ceramics, batteries, fuel cells, hydrogen, electrochemical systems, or advanced materials.
- Experience supporting ISO-based quality systems, regulated materials, hazardous materials shipping, or supplier quality documentation.
- Experience in a small to mid-sized company where hands-on execution, process building, and strategic thinking are all required.
- APICS, CPSM, Six Sigma, Lean, or similar supply chain certification.
- Experience helping organizations scale from R&D and prototype work into pilot production or commercial manufacturing.
Success Profile
The successful candidate will be a proactive, technically curious supply chain leader who can operate comfortably in a fast-moving innovation environment. They will bring structure to purchasing and planning processes while remaining flexible enough to support custom projects, evolving customer needs, and the practical realities of advanced materials manufacturing.
Work Environment
Location: In-Office at Lewis Center, OH
Travel Requirement: Up to 25% travel (for visiting manufacturing sites, critical chemical suppliers, and operational facilities).
