Bilingual Procurement Manager – Manufacturing

Alu Materials America
Halls, Tennessee

Job Summary

ALU Materials America is seeking a highly organized and experienced Bilingual Procurement Manager – Manufacturing to support our aluminum manufacturing facility located in Halls, Tennessee.

This position is responsible for managing the purchasing and sourcing activities for a fast-paced manufacturing environment, including raw materials, production supplies, maintenance parts, equipment, contractor services, safety supplies, and other plant-related needs.

The ideal candidate will have strong procurement, vendor management, negotiation, and communication skills, along with the ability to communicate effectively in both Korean and English. This role is especially important in supporting communication between U.S. plant operations and Korean leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead purchasing and procurement activities for a manufacturing plant environment.
• Source, evaluate, and manage suppliers for materials, equipment, parts, services, and contractors.
• Purchase direct and indirect materials, including production supplies, maintenance parts, MRO items, safety supplies, packaging, tools, and facility-related needs.
• Obtain quotes, compare pricing, negotiate terms, and recommend vendors based on cost, quality, delivery, service, and business needs.
• Prepare purchase requests, cost comparisons, vendor summaries, and approval documentation for leadership review.
• Create, review, and manage purchase orders to ensure accuracy and proper approval.
• Work with Finance and Accounting to support invoice matching, vendor setup, payment processing, and proper cost coding.
• Maintain organized procurement records, including quotes, purchase orders, vendor information, contracts, W-9s, insurance certificates, and approval documentation.
• Support Maintenance with critical spare parts, equipment needs, and vendor coordination.
• Support Production with materials, tooling, consumables, and supplies needed for extrusion, anodizing, fabrication, and related manufacturing processes.
• Support EHS/Safety with compliant vendors, safety supplies, PPE, contractor documentation, and related purchasing needs.
• Track supplier performance, delivery schedules, pricing, quality, and responsiveness.
• Resolve vendor issues related to late deliveries, incorrect shipments, pricing discrepancies, quality concerns, or service problems.
• Develop backup suppliers for critical materials and services to reduce operational risk.
• Assist with import/export coordination, freight, customs, and international supplier communication when needed.
• Communicate purchasing updates clearly to U.S. plant leadership and Korean leadership.
• Translate or explain purchasing-related information between Korean and English as needed.
• Help establish purchasing procedures, approval processes, vendor controls, and best practices for a startup manufacturing operation.
• Support cost savings, budget control, operational readiness, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bilingual in Korean and English required.
• Prior experience in procurement, purchasing, sourcing, supply chain, vendor management, or related field.
• Experience working in a manufacturing, industrial, automotive, metals, aluminum, extrusion, fabrication, or similar environment.
• Strong ability to negotiate pricing, terms, delivery schedules, and vendor expectations.
• Ability to obtain and compare quotes and prepare clear purchasing recommendations.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and purchasing/ERP systems.
• Ability to work with multiple departments and manage competing priorities.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to communicate professionally with vendors, employees, managers, and executives.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, Manufacturing, Logistics, or a related field preferred.
• 5+ years of procurement or purchasing experience in a manufacturing environment preferred.
• Experience with aluminum extrusion, anodizing, fabrication, automotive parts, metals, or industrial manufacturing preferred.
• Experience with ERP systems such as SAP,
• Knowledge of MRO purchasing, spare parts inventory, contractor services, and production support purchasing preferred.
• Experience working with Korean-owned or international manufacturing companies preferred.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong Korean and English communication skills
• Vendor sourcing and supplier management
• Negotiation and cost comparison
• Manufacturing purchasing knowledge
• Purchase order and invoice coordination
• ERP and Excel skills
• Problem-solving and follow-up
• Cross-functional teamwork
• Attention to detail
• Sense of urgency
• Professional judgment
• Confidentiality and business ethics
• Ability to work with both U.S. and Korean leadership teams

Work Environment

This position is based in a manufacturing plant environment. The employee may spend time in both an office setting and on the production floor. The role may require walking through production, maintenance, warehouse, shipping/receiving, and contractor work areas. The employee must follow all company safety policies, PPE requirements, and plant rules while onsite.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, and move throughout the manufacturing facility as needed.
• Ability to use a computer for extended periods.
• Ability to communicate by phone, email, video conference, and in-person meetings.
• Ability to occasionally lift or move light office or purchasing-related materials as needed.
• Must be able to safely enter production and warehouse areas while following PPE requirements.

Benefits

ALU Materials America offers a competitive benefits package, which may include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid holidays
• Paid time off
• Sick leave
• Opportunities for growth and advancement
• Manufacturing startup experience with a growing international company

Benefit eligibility may vary based on company policy and applicable plan documents.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

ALU Materials America is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Job Type: Full-time

Work Location: In person