Purchasing & Inventory Manager

As a Purchasing & Inventory Manager at Husqvarna Construction, your primary responsibilities will include supervising the purchasing and inventory team, developing procurement budgets, negotiating with suppliers, and overseeing inventory management to align with production needs. You'll also be responsible for optimizing departmental processes, ensuring compliance with regulations, and resolving supplier issues.

To be considered for the Purchasing & Inventory Manager position at Husqvarna Construction, candidates should have a BS in Business Administration, Supply Chain, or equivalent experience. Additionally, candidates should possess at least 10 years of manufacturing experience, including a minimum of 5 years in a managerial role, along with expertise in purchasing and inventory management.

Candidates for the Purchasing & Inventory Manager role at Husqvarna Construction should ideally have over 10 years of experience in the manufacturing sector, including significant managerial experience. Familiarity with purchasing certifications such as CPIM and APICS is also beneficial, alongside proficiency in relevant software tools like AS400 and Excel.

The working environment for a Purchasing & Inventory Manager at Husqvarna Construction is primarily office-based, with periodic exposure to manufacturing settings. The role involves high computer usage and requires the ability to meet frequent deadlines while effectively managing inventory processes.

At Husqvarna Construction, the Purchasing & Inventory Manager has ample career growth opportunities, such as taking on higher-level strategic roles or transitioning into other areas of supply chain management. The company also offers education assistance to support your professional development and advancement.

When discussing your experience with purchasing and inventory management, focus on specific roles you've held, projects you've completed, and tools you've used. Mention any relevant certifications and quantify your achievements, such as cost savings or efficiency improvements.

To effectively answer this, share techniques you've used to prioritize tasks such as creating to-do lists, utilizing project management software, or delegating tasks among your team. Illustrate with examples from your past experiences to demonstrate your organizational skills.

Discuss your negotiation strategies, highlighting how you prepare by researching market rates and setting clear goals. Share success stories where your negotiation led to cost savings or improved terms, showing your ability to foster strong supplier relationships.

When answering this question, enumerate specific tools and software you've used, such as AS400 or PRMS. Provide examples of how you utilized these tools to enhance inventory tracking and inventory management efficiencies during your time in previous roles.

To address compliance, explain your understanding of relevant safety and quality regulations and describe any processes you've implemented. Share experiences where you successfully enhanced compliance culture within your team or organization.

In your response, share a specific instance when you faced a challenge with a supplier. Describe the steps you took to investigate, communicate, and resolve the issue, ensuring to highlight your problem-solving and negotiation skills.

When discussing inventory management, illustrate the forecasting methods you've used to predict production needs accurately. Highlight how you’ve adjusted stock levels based on changing demand and the processes you implemented to prevent overstocking or stockouts.

Detail the methodologies you've applied to track inventory performance, including the KPIs you've monitored. Share any tools or software you used to gather data, analyze performance, and make adjustments based on your findings.

Describe your leadership approach and any initiatives you've launched to foster collaboration and teamwork. Discuss how you encourage open communication, problem-solving, and skills development among team members to build a strong team dynamic.

In answering this, convey your passion for supply chain management and your alignment with Husqvarna's innovative culture. Discuss specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and how your experiences have prepared you for this role, showing you're a great fit.