Purchasing specialist Jobs in Columbus, OH

Director of Purchasing

Trillium is seeking a Director of Purchasing in Columbus!

This Direct-Hire opportunity is seeking a seasoned executive to join one of the largest chemical distribution companies in the Midwest. The Director of Purchasing will serve as one of the top-tier leaders in the organization and must bring exceptional business acumen, the ability to think on their feet, and the analytical horsepower to interpret rapidly changing global markets that directly impact buying power, pricing, and supply stability. This role requires a polished, strategic professional who thrives in a fast-paced, service-driven commodity environment and can make high-impact decisions with confidence and precision.

This position requires a hands-on executive who can balance strategic thinking with decisive execution, lead a high-volume team without micromanaging, and operate with a true owner mentality. The ideal candidate brings the ability to interpret global market shifts, manufacturing trends, and supply chain disruptions and translate those insights into proactive sourcing strategies that protect cost, continuity, and competitive advantage. Candidates with chemical industry experience are strongly preferred, though leaders from large-scale distribution environments will also be considered.

Responsibilities:

• Direct purchasing teams in Columbus and Medina, ensuring alignment with company goals
• Develop team capabilities through leadership, coaching, and performance management
• Drive purchasing strategies that support financial targets and operational priorities
• Maintain strong cross-department communication to ensure clarity of needs and expectations
• Partner with Sales, Customer Service, Warehouse, and Accounting to support customer satisfaction
• Monitors global markets, anticipates shifts, and adjusts purchasing plans accordingly
• Evaluate supply availability, manufacturing trends, and cost drivers to optimize buying decisions
• Build and maintain reliable, financially stable, and technically capable supplier relationships
• Lead supplier selection, negotiation, and performance management to support sourcing objectives
• Expand and diversify supplier base to ensure continuity and competitive pricing
• Manage total cost of ownership for assigned materials
• Provide timely updates to leadership and internal stakeholders on material status and risks
• Contribute to forecasting, budgeting, and long-range planning
• Ensure adherence to best-in-class purchasing practices

Annual salary is $135,000 - $150,000 annually plus generous company profit sharing!

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in business, Supply Chain, or related field
• 10+ years of procurement experience, ideally in chemicals or distribution
• Broad experience across purchasing, sales, or business management functions
• Strong financial and business acumen with the ability to align procurement to company strategy
• Self-driven leader with urgency and adaptability in a fast-changing environment
• Excellent communicator with strong project management capabilities
• Proven ability to build an engaged, high-performing team
• Demonstrated leadership aligned with corporate goals and long-term vision
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Effective collaborator in team-oriented environments
• Proficient with ERP systems and Microsoft Office tools

Trillium has been recruiting and placing clerical and office professionals for over 30 years. From Fortune 100 companies to small businesses, our philosophy remains the same: to achieve excellence by providing quality employees with an uncompromising level of service. We believe in honesty, integrity, and a simple philosophy of providing value to our customers and our employees. We strive to be unsurpassed in the recruitment and placement of professionals. Trillium is an Equal Opportunity Employer.