- Location
- Houston, TX
- Workplace
- Onsite
- Type
- Full-time
- Department
- Operations
- Seniority
- Manager
- Experience
- 2+ years
- Source
- RecruiterFlow
Description
Location: Houston, TX
Type: Full-Time - Onsite
Inventory & Receiving Team Leadership | VAR / MSP Environment
Position Overview
We are seeking an experienced Purchasing Manager to lead our purchasing, inventory, and receiving team within a Value-Added Reseller (VAR) or Managed Service Provider (MSP) environment. This role is responsible for the day-to-day execution of purchasing activities — from purchase order creation through vendor follow-up, delivery tracking, and receiving coordination. The ideal candidate has a strong background in technology purchasing, understands the fast-paced needs of MSP/VAR operations, and can build a disciplined, accurate, and responsive purchasing function.
Key Responsibilities
Team Leadership & Operations
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Lead, mentor, and develop the purchasing, inventory, and receiving team (buyers, purchasing coordinators, receiving clerks, and inventory specialists).
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Set performance targets, conduct regular 1:1s, and manage shift scheduling to maintain appropriate business coverage.
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Foster a culture of accuracy, urgency, accountability, and continuous improvement across purchasing and receiving functions.
Purchasing Execution
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Own the full purchase order lifecycle: requisition review, vendor selection, PO creation, order confirmation, delivery tracking, backorder expediting, and invoice reconciliation.
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Maintain accurate open-order reports and proactively communicate status, delays, and alternatives to internal stakeholders and client-facing teams.
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Ensure purchasing decisions align with approved budgets, vendor agreements, and client project timelines.
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Resolve PO discrepancies, delivery issues, and vendor billing problems in a timely manner.
Vendor & Distributor Relations
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Manage relationships with key technology distributors and vendors (e.g., Ingram Micro, TD Synnex, direct OEMs).
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Negotiate pricing, lead times, freight terms, and return privileges to support margin and service goals.
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Evaluate vendor performance on delivery, accuracy, and responsiveness; escalate chronic issues as needed.
Inventory & Receiving Coordination
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Coordinate with the receiving team to ensure all incoming IT assets are inspected, serialized, and recorded in the ERP / inventory system with 99.5%+ accuracy.
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Support cycle-count programs, physical inventory audits, and discrepancy-resolution processes.
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Maintain appropriate stock levels for high-velocity IT components and coordinate with service and project teams to forecast demand.
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Oversee asset tagging, warranty tracking, and RMA processes for client and internal equipment.
Process & Compliance
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Develop and enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs) for purchasing, receiving, inspection, storage, and dispatch.
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Ensure compliance with IT asset management policies, data-security requirements, and relevant industry regulations.
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Drive adoption of automation and digital tools (ERP purchasing modules, vendor portals, barcode / RFID scanning) to improve efficiency and visibility.
Required Qualifications
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5+ years of progressive experience in purchasing, procurement, or supply chain operations, with at least 2 years in a leadership role.
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Demonstrated experience in a VAR, MSP, or technology reseller environment — purchasing IT hardware, software licenses, or technology services.
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Strong understanding of purchase order management, vendor follow-up, backorder expediting, and receiving workflows.
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Proficiency with ERP purchasing modules and PSA platforms common in MSPs (e.g., ConnectWise, Autotask, ServiceNow, Salesforce).
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Excellent negotiation, communication, and vendor-management skills.
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Strong analytical skills; ability to interpret open-order reports, inventory reports, and purchasing metrics.
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Excellent leadership and cross-functional skills; able to work closely with service delivery, project management, finance, and operations teams.
Preferred Qualifications
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Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Information Technology, or a related field; relevant certification (CPSM, CSCP, CPIM) preferred.
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Experience with IT asset management (ITAM) and ITIL frameworks.
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Familiarity with SaaS, IaaS, UCaaS, and software-license procurement.
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Experience implementing barcode / RFID or automated receiving systems.
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Knowledge of cybersecurity supply-chain practices (e.g., secure sourcing, anti-counterfeiting measures for IT components).
What We Offer
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Competitive salary and performance-based bonus.
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Comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits.
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Professional development budget and certification support.
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Opportunity to lead a growing team in a technology-driven VAR/MSP environment.
How to Apply
Please submit your resume and a brief cover letter describing your experience leading purchasing and receiving operations in a VAR, MSP, or technology reseller environment, along with any relevant certifications.