Purchasing Director, Raw Materials & Supply Chain (Chesterfield, MO Area)

OverviewYou\'ve built a career knowing supply chain from the ground up, not because a system walked you through every step, but because you actually understand it. You can read a lead time, spot a vendor risk, and negotiate a contract without waiting for a dashboard to tell you what to do.This is a rare opportunity to step into a director-level seat at a growing food and ingredient manufacturer and own the purchasing function completely. You\'ll report directly to the CEO and set the standard for how this team operates going forward.Pave Talent is hiring on behalf of our client, a multi-site food ingredient manufacturer in the greater St. Louis area. The company has recently completed an acquisition and expansion, is launching a new product line, and has another acquisition in the near future. This is a company in growth mode with long-term stability and a clear strategic vision. The CEO leads with high expectations and direct access, and he wants a purchasing leader who matches that energy.Most director-level purchasing roles at this level sit inside a large bureaucracy where you\'re executing against someone else\'s strategy. This one is different.You will report directly to the CEO. You will own the purchasing function with real authority. The company is actively expanding its portfolio, which means the complexity and the opportunity are only going to grow.If you have been waiting for a role where your decisions actually move the needle, this is it.You will lead purchasing for a multi-facility operation, overseeing raw material procurement across multiple locations. You will have one direct report, a purchasing manager who handles day-to-day execution, and you will report directly to the CEO. This is a lean structure, which means you will have high visibility and real ownership, and you will be expected to stay connected to the work, not just manage from a distance.The company uses SAP (currently at a foundational implementation level with an upgrade planned) alongside multiple inventory tracking spreadsheets. The ability to work through complexity and make sound decisions without a fully automated system is not a nice-to-have here. It is the job.J-18808-Ljbffr