Executive search
Procurement, Supply Chain & Logistics
Direct headhunting, shaped around the work. We clarify the assignment, research relevant people and explain the judgment behind each recommendation.
No upfront fee. You pay only if you engage someone we present.
Interim Headhunters starts with the work behind this request: This family holds roles with different centers of gravity. Procurement managers and category managers decide what to buy, from whom and on what terms.
This is what we do all day: place interim executives, interim managers and contract professionals.
Need someone now? Call 305-306-4829.
You have a business to run.
Hiring a senior person yourself takes time you do not have. Here is what we hear from owners and hiring managers every week.
Not sure if you need interim or fractional? Use the decision helper
- The seat is open and the work is piling up on you.
- A job posting brings in hundreds of resumes and none of them have done the job.
- You do not have weeks to screen, chase and schedule.
- You need to know the person can do it before they start, not after.
- No upfront fee
- Assignment-led headhunting
- Relevant experience and current capacity
- You make the final decision
Procurement, Supply Chain & Logistics titles we fill
Titles with a page link through to it. The rest are titles we also fill; choose one and we pass it to the form with your request.
- Interim Procurement ManagerSpecialist search for Interim Procurement Manager. Discuss the scope, relevant experience and several vetted options. No fee unless you engage someone we present.
- Contract Category ManagerSpecialist search for Contract Category Manager. Discuss the scope, relevant experience and several vetted options. No fee unless you engage someone we present.
- Contract BuyerA Contract Buyer maintains supply continuity through precise purchase order execution, vendor communication, and ERP system compliance.
- Contract Demand PlannerSpecialist search for Contract Demand Planner. Discuss the scope, relevant experience and several vetted options. No fee unless you engage someone we present.
- Contract Supply PlannerHire a Contract Supply Planner to manage material flows and inventory buffers. We provide experts focused on supply chain stability and ERP accuracy.
- Supply PlannerHire a Contract Supply Planner to manage material flows and inventory buffers. We provide experts focused on supply chain stability and ERP accuracy.
- Interim Materials ManagerFind an interim materials manager to align production schedules with procurement execution. Secure supply chains and fix inventory data integrity issues today.
- Materials ManagerFind an interim materials manager to align production schedules with procurement execution. Secure supply chains and fix inventory data integrity issues today.
- Interim Logistics ManagerHire an interim logistics manager to restore control over freight spending, optimize carrier performance and stabilize inventory throughput.
- Interim Warehouse ManagerSpecialist search for Interim Warehouse Manager. Discuss the scope, relevant experience and several vetted options. No fee unless you engage someone we present.
- Contract Trade Compliance SpecialistSpecialist search for Contract Trade Compliance Specialist. Discuss the scope, relevant experience and several vetted options. No fee unless you engage someone we present.
- Interim Purchasing ManagerFind an interim purchasing manager to enforce P2P controls, fix procurement gaps, and deliver documented savings within your existing ERP system.
- purchasing managerFind an interim purchasing manager to enforce P2P controls, fix procurement gaps, and deliver documented savings within your existing ERP system.
- Procurement LeadA Procurement Lead manages day-to-day purchasing, enforces spend compliance, and runs sourcing events. Learn what we verify before your interview.
- Senior BuyerSenior Buyers manage day-to-day procurement operations. They enforce purchase-to-pay controls, maintain supplier records and reduce total cost of ownership.
- senior buyerSenior Buyers manage day-to-day procurement operations. They enforce purchase-to-pay controls, maintain supplier records and reduce total cost of ownership.
- Interim Category ManagerFind an interim category manager who controls your supplier spend. Learn how we verify technical spend depth and contract negotiation experience.
- Strategic Sourcing ManagerFind a Strategic Sourcing Manager to oversee category strategy, execute supplier market analysis and lead high-value contract negotiations.
- Sourcing AnalystA Sourcing Analyst transforms raw spend data into actionable insights for procurement teams. Learn how to hire for analytical precision and category focus.
- sourcing analystA Sourcing Analyst transforms raw spend data into actionable insights for procurement teams. Learn how to hire for analytical precision and category focus.
- IT / Facilities / Logistics / Direct Materials Category ManagerHire a Category Manager for IT, Facilities, Logistics, or Direct Materials. We verify deep subject matter expertise and proven negotiation results.
- Inventory PlannerAn inventory planner manages replenishment parameters, safety stock logic, and order timing. They translate demand forecasts into executable purchase orders.
- Buyer-PlannerHire a buyer-planner who manages inventory policy and replenishment. We check forecasting accuracy, safety stock logic, and system proficiency.
- buyer-plannerHire a buyer-planner who manages inventory policy and replenishment. We check forecasting accuracy, safety stock logic, and system proficiency.
- S&OP AnalystHire an S&OP Analyst to manage statistical forecasting, demand alignment, and inventory policies within your existing planning software environment.
- Production PlannerProduction planners manage work order releases, material requirements and shop floor scheduling to meet demand while controlling inventory levels.
- production plannerProduction planners manage work order releases, material requirements and shop floor scheduling to meet demand while controlling inventory levels.
- DC ManagerHire a DC Manager to stabilize labor, improve inventory accuracy and refine WMS workflows. We vet by output and process discipline.
- DC managerHire a DC Manager to stabilize labor, improve inventory accuracy and refine WMS workflows. We vet by output and process discipline.
- Distribution ManagerHire a distribution manager to stabilize warehouse throughput, optimize inventory flow and enforce shipping accuracy across your logistics operation.
- Fulfillment ManagerHire a Fulfillment Manager to restore order accuracy, optimize picking and packing labor, and manage shipping throughput during periods of site instability.
- Import / Export Compliance SpecialistImprove your import and export compliance. We provide specialists who manage HTS classification, duty programs, and EAR or ITAR export control systems.
- Customs Compliance SpecialistHire a Customs Compliance Specialist to manage HTS classification, duty program eligibility, and export control requirements for your supply chain.
- Trade Compliance ManagerHire a Trade Compliance Manager to standardize HTS classification, manage complex duty programs, and lead audit responses to protect your global operations.
- Tariff AnalystHiring a Tariff Analyst to improve classification accuracy and manage landed costs. Learn the required expertise and vetting process for this role.
- spend analystA spend analyst cleans, categorizes and visualizes procurement data to drive negotiation strategy and ensure strict purchase-to-pay compliance.
- procure-to-pay analystHire a Procure-to-Pay Analyst to secure ERP controls, manage supplier data, and ensure spend compliance before invoices reach finance.
- inventory control analystInventory control analysts stabilize your warehouse data, enforce stock accuracy, and align physical counts with ERP system records to prevent costly shortages.
- transportation managerHire a transportation manager to stabilize logistics costs, enforce carrier contracts, and improve delivery reliability through rigorous data management.
Hiring guides
Not sure which title fits? Describe the seat in the form and we will match it.
Related roles
Executive roles above this family
Managers, planners, buyers and compliance
This family holds roles with different centers of gravity. Procurement managers and category managers decide what to buy, from whom and on what terms. Buyers place and follow orders. Planners forecast demand and supply. Materials, logistics and warehouse managers run the movement and storage of goods. Trade compliance specialists make sure goods can cross borders legally.
Pick the one that matches your pain. Rising costs and weak suppliers point to category or procurement management. Stockouts and excess stock point to planning. Late deliveries point to logistics. Delays at the border or classification questions point to trade compliance.
Many companies discover that two or three of these problems are linked. Tell us about the whole chain and we will help you decide where to start.
Interim manager versus contract specialist
An interim manager owns a function and its team. An interim procurement manager might reorganize purchasing, set supplier policy and take over the relationships. An interim warehouse manager runs the facility, its people and its safety. A contract buyer or planner works inside a structure that already exists.
If your function lacks a leader, a contract buyer or planner will keep it running but not improve it. If the process is fine and you just need capacity, a contract specialist is the efficient choice.
A category manager is somewhere between. They plan sourcing for a spend area, handle negotiations and manage supplier performance. They need commercial confidence and an ability to work with the internal users of the category.
Technical differences
Demand planning and supply planning are separate skills. Demand planners interpret history, sales input and market signals to produce a forecast. Supply planners convert that forecast into purchase and production plans within constraints. A strong demand planner may be uncomfortable with capacity constraints, and a supply planner may be weak with statistical forecasting.
Warehouse management differs by setting: pick and pack, pallet, cold storage, and heavy or hazardous goods all have their own demands. Software also varies. Planning systems and warehouse systems are not interchangeable, and a person new to yours will need time.
Trade compliance covers classification, valuation, origin, licences and records. Experience with the specific trade lanes you use matters far more than a general reputation.
Who we draw from and how we screen
For managers we look at former supply chain and purchasing leaders and distribution leaders between roles. For specialists we draw on contract buyers, planners and analysts who have worked in several organizations. For compliance we look at licensed brokers, in house specialists and consultants with practical experience.
We screen by asking what they have actually done. Which categories did they own, and what changed in supplier performance? How did they improve a forecast, and how did they know? What did they do about a late shipment or a failed audit of a facility? We seek concrete accounts, not slogans.
We also check comfort with your systems and your data. You review several profiles and decide whom to talk to.
Cross function dependencies
The supply chain is the most cross dependent area in a company. Procurement depends on engineering for specifications, on finance for approval and payment, and on operations for demand. Planning depends on sales for demand signals and production for capacity. Logistics depends on customers and carriers.
A buyer can be excellent and still deliver poor results if specifications change late or payment is slow, because suppliers then deprioritize you. Tell us about those problems. A good candidate will ask.
Also mention who can authorize spend and who signs contracts. A manager with no signing authority cannot negotiate effectively, and suppliers know it.
Mistakes in briefing
Common mistakes include using supply chain as a single label, omitting the systems, and failing to say what spend or volume is involved. Another is asking a buyer to fix a strategic sourcing problem, or a planner to fix a logistics problem.
Briefs also leave out supplier relationships. If key suppliers are difficult or dependent on you, say so. If there is a single source for something critical, say so.
Mention seasonality and peaks too. A buyer or planner who joins ahead of a busy period faces different demands from one who joins in a quiet stretch, and candidates plan around what you tell them.
Finally, say what the finish looks like. A new sourcing strategy, a stable planning process or a trained team each leads to a different kind of person. Make the choice clear and you will see better profiles.
Questions
How are candidate skills verified for supply chain operations?
We evaluate their direct experience with your specific planning software or warehouse management systems. Practical success with inventory turn rates or supplier negotiations must be demonstrated.
What documentation is required to initiate a search?
Provide the specific responsibilities and the reporting structure for the role. We also need details on the current software environment and key supplier relationships.
Can an interim manager handle organizational restructuring?
Yes, they can define procurement policies and lead supplier performance improvements. We assess their history in managing team transitions and facility operations.
How do you distinguish between demand and supply planners?
We confirm their expertise in either statistical forecasting or production capacity management. These disciplines require distinct technical approaches to avoid operational delays.
What happens if a candidate lacks specific trade compliance experience?
We focus on specialists who have direct experience with your specific trade lanes and classification requirements. We prioritize candidates who have successfully passed audits in your specific regulatory environment.
What replacement terms apply?
We offer a candidate replacement guarantee on standard search agreements. The applicable period and exact terms are set out in the signed client recruiting agreement.
How are recruiting fees agreed?
No upfront fee. You pay only if you engage someone we present. We scope the assignment before quoting; the fee page explains our model.
How soon can we see options?
Availability depends on the assignment and the people who fit it. We qualify interest and commitments rather than promising a shortlist date before the search is scoped.
What if the scope grows?
Discuss new responsibilities before adding them to the engagement. Agree the priorities and record any change to the brief and terms.
Can we extend an engagement?
Discuss what remains unfinished and whether the same responsibility is still needed. Extensions depend on the person's commitments and the agreed engagement terms.
Can the appointment become permanent?
A permanent move can be discussed if both sides want it. Review the future role and the applicable agreement instead of assuming that temporary coverage automatically converts.
How is a confidential search handled?
Tell us what can be disclosed and whom we must not contact. We agree those boundaries before approaching people; do not send sensitive records with an initial brief.
What are the replacement terms?
We offer a candidate replacement guarantee on standard search agreements. The applicable period and exact terms are set out in the signed client recruiting agreement.
What do you not do?
We do not sell job-board reposting as a search or bill hourly for recruiting work. We do not take a retainer unless expressly agreed, and an introduction does not authorize an engagement.
Tell us the seat
No upfront fee. You pay only if you hire. Share the title, the situation and the timing. A person reads it.