Regional Purchasing & Operations Manager at Drees Homes

Overview

Drees Homes is a family-owned home building company with a passion for making custom homes easy. For over 95 years, we have taken care of our employees and our customers. It's why we rank as the 21st largest privately-owned builder in the country and have a track record of long-tenured employees. We're proud of being named a 2023 and 2024 U.S. Best Managed Company, a program sponsored by Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal, and we've been officially certified as a Great Place to Work in both 2023 and 2024. Enrich your career at a company that values integrity, excellence, opportunity, stability and success.

Headquartered in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky, Drees has operations in ten metropolitan areas: Greater Cincinnati and Cleveland, Ohio; Austin, Dallas and Houston, Texas; Indianapolis, Indiana; Jacksonville, Florida; Nashville, Tennessee; Raleigh, North Carolina; and Washington, DC.

Responsibilities

Objective:
The Regional Purchasing & Operations Manager is responsible for providing regional support for leading and assisting all purchasing, estimating, and operational processes within our Southeast Region consisting of the Jacksonville, FL, Nashville, TN, Raleigh, NC and Washington DC/Manassas, VA markets. This role ensures operational consistency across divisions to achieve the company's financial and operational goals. The ideal candidate will drive cost efficiencies, maintain high operational standards, and ensure timely delivery of superior products to market.

Key Responsibilities:

Purchasing & Contract Negotiations

• Lead regional and divisional purchasing activities to secure optimal pricing and terms for materials, labor, and services.
• Actively participate in national and regional contract negotiations.
• Identify opportunities to reduce costs through supply chain improvements, alternative agreements, and innovative materials or processes.
• Collaborate with the National Purchasing & Operations Manager to award national purchase agreements that benefit the region.

Cost Estimating & Pricing

• Ensure each division maintains strict cost control and actively works to reduce costs and increase margins.
• Perform cross-divisional and cross-plan cost comparisons to identify areas for improvement.
• Oversee compliance with estimating and pricing methodologies, ensuring timely delivery of estimates and pricing for new plans to market.
• Maintain involvement in computer operations related to estimating and job costing, ensuring policy compliance.

Regional Operations

• Maintain a high level of involvement in each division's operations, ensuring administrative systems contribute to profitability.
• Act as a liaison between divisions, departments, and corporate staff, assisting in the achievement of short- and long-term company goals.
• Monitor division activities to ensure alignment with Drees standards, policies, and procedures, recommending changes where necessary.
• Oversee vendor payment processes to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and budget compliance, and work to minimize FPO-related expenses.
• Provide training and support to division staff, including Operations Managers, Estimators, and Design Consultants, to ensure consistency and operational excellence.
• Conduct quarterly visits to regional divisions to foster strong relationships and resolve operational issues.
• Review and maintain administrative operating procedures, recommending improvements to ensure compliance with policies and procedures.
• Review, manage and approve trade partner agreements.

Miscellaneous

• Work collaboratively with division, regional, and corporate teams to ensure that Drees consistently delivers exceptional products, services, and a superior homebuyer experience.
• Undertake additional duties as assigned by the Regional President - Southeast Region.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong technical skills, including experience with costing systems, centralized accounting, and PO systems (JD Edwards experience is a plus).
• Proven track record in cost control, cost reduction, and compliance monitoring in a homebuilding environment.
• Advanced analytical, problem-solving, and negotiation skills, with a strategic approach to improving operational efficiency.
• Self-motivated, assertive, and results-oriented, with a high level of personal and professional integrity.
• Excellent computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Understanding of teamwork and the importance of providing support across all areas of the business.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in a related field required.
• 3-5 years of experience in purchasing, estimating, and cost control within the homebuilding industry.
• Experience in project management principles, including Six Sigma and Lean methodologies.
• Experience with national and/or regional purchase contracts preferred.

Location:
This position offers opportunity to be based in one of our offices in Jacksonville, FL, Nashville, TN, Raleigh, NC, Washington DC/Manassas, or Cincinnati, OH/Northern, Kentucky.

Benefits:
Drees Homes offers a competitive salary, benefits package, and opportunities for professional growth within a supportive and dynamic work environment.

Join our team and contribute to delivering an exceptional product and experience for our homeowners!