Description

The National Fire Protection Association's mission is to help save lives and reduce loss with information, knowledge, and passion. Established in 1896, we are dedicated to the elimination of death, injury, and property and economic loss due to fire, electrical, and related hazards. The Association delivers information and knowledge through more than 300 consensus codes and standards, research, training, education, outreach and advocacy; and by partnering with others who share an interest in furthering the NFPA mission. 

To better meet the needs of those who rely on our information and knowledge to keep people and property safe, we are amidst a transformation to expand our influence and further our safety mission. We are becoming increasingly digital and global to grow, thrive, and save more lives from fire, electrical, and other hazards. To accomplish this, we need effective leaders at all levels of the Association who understand what we are striving for, why it is important, and how to execute our vision and who passionately want to see NFPA through this important stage. It is an exciting and empowering time to work at NFPA.  

NFPA is looking to add a Procurement Manager to the Product Operations team! 

Job Overview: 

We are seeking an experienced and strategic Procurement Manager with a specialized focus on print buying to lead our print sourcing initiatives. This role will manage the full procurement lifecycle, from supplier strategy to production execution while also overseeing the operational and strategic alignment of print inventory. 

The ideal candidate will play a key role in evolving and executing our global print sourcing strategy, vendor governance, sustainable sourcing, and advanced production methods such as print-on-demand (POD) and short-run digital printing. This role requires strong technical understanding of print production methods and specifications, along with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross functional teams involved in content development, planning, and distribution.  

Key Responsibilities

Print Buying & Vendor Management:

• Lead procurement of all printed materials, including books, packaging, marketing collateral, and signage.
• Identify, evaluate, and manage relationships with domestic and international suppliers.
• Negotiate contracts, pricing, SLAs, and terms to ensure cost-effective and high-quality output. 
• Manage the RFQ/RFP processes to ensure competitive pricing, value-added services, and alignment with quality expectations. 
• Establish and oversee supplier governance frameworks, performance KPIs and continuous improvement initiatives. 
• Proactively manage production risks and issues resolution across suppliers and projects.
• Contribute to the development and execution of global print strategies, ensuring alignment with business goals, market expansion, and regional print capabilities. 
• Stay current on print industry trends, emerging technologies, and sustainable materials. 

Print Production Strategy & Technical Oversight  

• Determine optimal print methods (e.g., offset vs. digital) based on quantity, cost, lead time, and application.
• Evaluate and apply print-on-demand and short-run digital solutions where appropriate, especially for backlist titles, regional fulfillment, or marketing campaigns.
• Oversee and establishes best practices for print production process across internal teams and external vendors — from vendor briefing through to final delivery — ensuring alignment with timelines, budgets, brand standards, and technical specifications (e.g., CMYK vs. Pantone, paper stock, trim, finish).
• Assess factors such as project complexity, color sensitivity, and production risk to determine when hard copy proofs or press checks are warranted. 
• Define and uphold quality standards for printed products and collateral, serving as the point of consultation when production quality is in question.

Inventory Strategy & Demand Alignment 

• Collaborate with finance, inventory, and operations teams to align print procurement with demand forecast and lifecycle strategies. 
• Provide strategic input to inventory and demand planning through informed supplier lead times, capacity constraints, and historical print trends. 

Cost Optimization & Budget Alignment 

• Collaborate with finance and operations to manage annual and project-specific budgets. 
• Track procurement spend, analyze market trends, and report on supplier performance to support informed financial and sourcing decisions. 
• Assess and drive savings through supplier consolidation, competitive bidding, volume leverage and alternative material sourcing and without compromising quality. 

Sustainability & Responsible Sourcing 

• Direct responsible sourcing practices, ensuring all print suppliers comply with brand values and sustainability goals. 
• Prioritize use of FSC-certified paper, recycled materials, and environmentally conscious production methods.
• Work with legal and operations to ensure print materials meet all regulatory and environmental standards.

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 7+ years of procurement experience, with a focus on print buying or marketing procurement.
• Proven history of managing supplier relationships, negotiations, and contract management.
• Strong knowledge of print production processes, paper stocks, and finishing techniques.
• Experience in inventory management systems and supply chain optimization, with a focus on supporting global printing operations.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and analytical skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Proficiency in procurement software and inventory management tools. Knowledge of NetSuite a plus.

National Fire Protection Association provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.  

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