POSITION SUMMARY

We are seeking an experienced Director of Purchasing to champion the strategic vision, design, execution, and continuous optimization of Fading West’s end-to-end supply chain and warehouse logistics.

This role operates on a flexible hybrid schedule, requiring 1–2 days per week on-site at our Buena Vista manufacturing facility to maintain critical connections with production floors, physical inventory, and warehouse teams. Reporting directly to executive leadership, you will lead our procurement operations to ensure our advanced manufacturing line is flawlessly fed. You will own our strategic sourcing, drive high-impact price negotiations, mitigate single-source risk, and spearhead the technical scaling of our integrated enterprise systems using modern LEAN/Six Sigma manufacturing frameworks.

Responsibilities

Strategic Sourcing & Contract Execution: Author comprehensive requests for bids, award major supply contracts, and drive complex pricing and service-term negotiations to maximize scalable cost reductions.
Team Leadership & Mentorship: Directly manage, build, and empower a high-performing supply chain division, guiding our remote and on-site team of Buyers and our Receiving Manager (who oversees material handlers, warehouse logistics, and inventory records).
LEAN Process Optimization: Design and implement data-driven Just-In-Time (JIT) logistics strategies. Apply sharp LEAN techniques to eliminate systemic inventory waste, resolve supply bottlenecks, and maximize storage and material requirements planning (MRP) efficiency.
Insulate Operations from Risk: Collaborate with Production and Engineering Managers to construct and govern an unshakeable Approved Material List (AML) and Approved Vendor List (AVL), guaranteeing robust backup networks.
System Ownership (Acumatica ERP): Oversee data governance and continuous integration for our new Acumatica ERP system across multiple cross-functional departments.
Fiscal Accountability: Maintain departmental budgets, forecast material cost trends, establish standard cost baselines, and deliver performance indicators evaluating vendor quality and delivery compliance.
Sustainability & Reverse Logistics: Design and oversee circular product take-back initiatives to ensure construction materials are responsibly recycled, reused, or refunded.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree (BA/BS) in Supply Chain Management, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field (Master’s/MBA is a plus).
Proven Leadership: 8+ years of progressive experience in purchasing, strategic sourcing, and material management—with a minimum of 3 years in a dedicated director or senior leadership capacity within a complex manufacturing facility.
Industry Knowledge: Prior experience in manufactured or modular home systems, off-site construction, or heavy industrial automation is highly preferred.
LEAN Mastery: Strong, hands-on experience utilizing LEAN / Six Sigma manufacturing principles to optimize productivity and systematically reduce waste.
Tech-Forward Mindset: Deep proficiency navigating modern enterprise technology and advanced ERP/MRP software (e.g., Acumatica, SAP MM/AP modules, or equivalent). Ability to seamlessly manage workflows in a hybrid environment.
Strong Character: Exceptional interpersonal, collaboration, and high-stakes commercial negotiation skills.

Fading West exists to build thriving and connected communities by reimagining the construction industry. Our vision is to eliminate the housing crisis for the workforce and the communities they serve. Our mission is to create attainable, high-quality, architecturally interesting, diverse communities for the workforce. To accomplish this, we fully integrate design, development, manufacturing, and construction in a single LEAN value stream.

CORE VALUES

We Care for People
We Keep Our Promises
We Hate Waste
We Love Challenges
We Simplify & Standardize
We Excel & Outperform

OUR CULTURE

Strong Work Ethic, Fun, Learning, and Humility

Fading West employees:
- do not need to be managed
- consistently impress the team with their insights and output
- are wicked smart but don’t take themselves too seriously
- have a passion for the company’s success without ego or pride in ownership
- are teachable, collaborative, and committed to continual learning, growth, and personal development

Problem-Solving in a Challenging, Changing, and Flexible Organization

Fading West employees:
- Challenge the norms and think outside the box
- enjoy the excitement of figuring out the “how” that accomplishes the “what” we are trying to achieve

Manage Complexity and Simplify Systems

Fading West employees:
- enjoy managing complexity to create efficient systems and processes that reduce waste and increase simplicity

Strategic Visionary Thinking

Fading West employees:
- Help develop strategies to achieve the objectives of the business plan to maximize return and minimize risk

Relationships and Mission

Fading West employees:
- Place a high value on relationships
- Are discerning, highly relational, people connectors
- Promote and maintain Fading West’s core values and mission statement
- Are inclusive and build a culture where difference and creativity are valued
- Believe diversity drives innovation

? In-Person (this position cannot be performed remotely)

? This role requires signing a confidentiality agreement, intellectual property rights agreement, and non-compete and non-disclosure agreement

? Background check results that meet Fading West’s standards

? Reference check that speaks to the positive character of the applicant

? May be required to regularly stand, sit, or walk for long periods of time, lift or carry more than 50 pounds, climb/balance on stairs or ladders, stoop, kneel, and crouch

? Must be competent and comfortable in basic computer skills and navigating modern technology

Fading West rigorously adheres to Colorado’s Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, C.R.S. § 8-5-201(1)

Director of Purchasing-(Hybrid: 1–2 Days On-Site Per Week in Corporate Housing)