Lead Procurement Specialist

Job Description Summary

The Lead Procurement Specialist will be responsible for executing and overseeing the procurement of critical materials, ensuring timely delivery, optimal cost, and required quality standards. This role plays a vital part in managing material master data and implementing effective inventory replenishment strategies to balance service levels, stock accuracy, and logistics costs.

Key responsibilities include deploying and maintaining optimized material master and replenishment plans, actively participating in regional and business-level inventory forecasting, and driving continuous improvement in inventory accuracy and efficiency.

Job Description

Roles and Responsibilities

• Maintain data relevant to material requirements planning activities including sourcing and replenishment, supplier, planning calendar, material, and location data
• Lead regular Material Review Board (MRB) meetings and be responsible to share outcomes to stakeholders (finance, engineering, sales, plant) to optimize obsolete inventory
• Manage inventory control activities; excess and obsolete material elimination, maintain inventory accuracy, analyze, and improve material movement and establish inventory locations and utilize inventory space
• Improve the efficiency of inbound order management and incoming goods process. Implement Kanban/VMI best practice tools and processes to reduce/maintain the optimum DoH / inventory levels
• Responsible for Cycle Counting program, ensuring counts are done daily and timely resolution of discrepancies
• Planning, creating, and processing timely requisitions and purchase orders for critical materials
• Tracking critical orders, Ensuring on-time deliveries
• Working with Quality Assurance for inspection upon delivery to ensure orders are filled correctly and that goods meet specifications
• Developing strong relationships with key suppliers and measure suppliers' performance based on quality, delivery, and service level
• Communicating with suppliers daily and organizing meetings and projects as needed to resolve supply issues
• Working with other internal departments such as finance, sales, and operations to resolve issues and concerns
• Initiating actions on non-quality / missing/damaged materials and following through the resolution with suppliers
• Contact with supplier in case of non-quality / missing/damaged materials

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college in disciplines such as economics, engineering, business administration, or supply chain management
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in material planning or procurement
• Strong oral and written English language skills
• Ability to use MS Office programs efficiently
• Comfortable in hybrid working conditions
• Ability to live in Istanbul or Kocaeli
• Experience in SAP ERP system
• Strong analytical skills

• Highly responsible, reliable, and able to take full ownership of assigned tasks
• Detail-oriented with a strong focus on accuracy and process discipline
• Analytical thinker with the ability to assess complex data and make sound decisions
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; capable of effective collaboration with internal teams and external suppliers
• Able to remain calm and focused under pressure, particularly in time-sensitive or high-stakes situations
• Proactive and solution-oriented, with a hands-on approach to problem solving
• Eager to learn and continuously improve skills, tools, and processes
• Well-organized, with strong planning and prioritization abilities to manage multiple responsibilities effectively