Procurement Manager — Component Sourcing & Domestic Operations

Chefman | Mahwah, NJ

About the Role

Chefman is seeking a hands-on Procurement Manager to own a dual-scope procurement function: strategic sourcing of components from foreign manufacturers, and broader sourcing across logistics, capital expenditures, and domestic vendor relationships supporting our facilities and operations. This is an individual, hands-on role, not a team-management position, built for someone who negotiates directly, wherever the negotiation is happening, and doesn't rely on intermediaries to close a deal.

Operations & Supplier Management

Serve as the primary point of contact for negotiations with vendors, taking ownership of pricing discussions and challenging existing cost structures to drive continuous savings
Proactively identify, vet, and onboard new suppliers to diversify and strengthen the vendor base, reducing single-source risk
Foreign travel (25%) to conduct in-person supplier negotiations, factory audits, and production trials, and to build direct relationships with vendor leadership teams
Partner closely with local vendor contacts and, where applicable, on-the-ground teams to ensure alignment on quality, cost, and delivery expectations
Lead pricing renegotiations with existing suppliers on a recurring basis, using market and commodity data to challenge quotes and benchmark against alternative vendors
Represent Chefman at trade shows such as the Canton Fair and Hong Kong Electronics Fair to scout new suppliers, materials, and manufacturing technologies

Component Sourcing

Lead end-to-end component sourcing for electrical, mechanical, and electronic parts (motors, heating elements, PCBs, plastics, metals) used in kitchen appliance manufacturing, from initial specification through supplier qualification and production readiness
Partner with product development and engineering teams to identify component requirements early in the design cycle, ensuring sourcing strategies align with cost targets, quality standards, and launch timelines
Work hands-on with engineering to build genuine technical fluency in the components you're sourcing, so negotiations are grounded in real product knowledge, not just commercial terms
Evaluate and qualify component suppliers through technical assessments, factory audits, and production trials, maintaining an approved vendor list and driving continuous supplier performance improvement
Monitor component supply markets, track commodity pricing trends, and proactively manage supply risk through dual sourcing, safety stock strategies, and alternate vendor development
Set and enforce quality standards, inspection procedures, and manufacturing SOPs to protect product reliability

Sourcing Strategy, Logistics & Capital Expenditures

Develop and implement sourcing strategies across logistics, freight, packaging, and distribution to optimize supply, improve quality, and maximize value
Manage procurement for long-term freight and shipping arrangements, including small parcel carriers, trucking providers, and ocean freight
Own and execute sourcing strategies for capital expenditures across warehousing facilities, including automation equipment, utilities, engineering services, forklifts, warehouse vehicles, and other site investments
Negotiate renewals of software and service agreements to ensure competitive pricing and reduce vendor fragmentation
Anticipate and manage sourcing barriers and supply challenges while proactively identifying spend and savings opportunities
Develop negotiation strategies, scopes of work, and executive summaries for key procurement initiatives

Qualifications

Demonstrated experience negotiating supplier contracts and commercial agreements, ideally including direct negotiation with foreign based manufacturers
Proven ability to independently identify and onboard new suppliers, and to take ownership of pricing negotiations without significant oversight

Strong knowledge of procurement, logistics, and inventory management

Experience leading supplier onboarding processes including audits, capability assessments, and production trials