Crafting My Job Title: Seeking Your Advice
I’m excited to share that I have the opportunity to define my job title as I transition into a Vice President role. Let me give you a brief overview of my background:
I’m a 58-year-old male, married with kids and grandkids, and now an empty nester. I hold a doctorate and spent 21 years as a school administrator, including positions as a principal and central office leader. A significant part of my role involved hiring a wide range of staff—including teachers, administrators, support staff, and more. Over those two decades, I interviewed and hired approximately 1,500 people, honing skills in interviewing, onboarding, and employee relations.
After leaving education, I made a significant career change and became the Purchasing Manager for a large mid-cap light manufacturing company in Arizona. I’ve been here for a decade, overseeing procurement for our main plant and six other facilities, with the company generating about $200 million in annual sales. I report directly to the president, who manages day-to-day operations while the owner retains the CEO title. Currently, I’m earning $135K, with an expectation to reach $150K in two years.
My boss, who has a sales background and tends to micromanage, came to me when our CFO passed away unexpectedly, asking for assistance in hiring a replacement. I successfully found a new CFO and later helped in hiring an Arizona plant manager, which led me to take on the responsibility of hiring for various other positions, totaling around 75 to 100 hires over the past five years. While I don’t hire factory floor workers or office staff at other locations, I manage recruitment for all central office and leadership roles.
Additionally, I’ve taken on employee discipline responsibilities and often act as a sounding board for employee concerns, handling issues that range from salary discussions to interpersonal conflicts. I also assist the president with various tasks, including drafting correspondence.
Currently, my official title is Purchasing Manager, and I have no direct reports or assistants, which has proven to be a challenge when it comes to my hiring responsibilities and interactions with the HR department. To distinguish my role, I’ve referred to my work as “personnel” instead of HR, although that doesn’t entirely capture everything I do.
Now, as I step into the Vice President role, I need to create my own job description. Although my core functions—procurement, hiring, and employee relations—will remain the same, I won’t have management responsibilities over a team, and my pay and benefits will see minimal changes, aside from reaching $150K sooner.
I’m considering several title options, and I’d love your feedback on which one might be most fitting for my role, taking into account the dynamics with HR and my responsibilities. Here are my options:
- Vice President of Purchasing and Personnel, Chief of Staff
- Vice President of Purchasing, Chief of Staff
- Vice President of Purchasing and Personnel
- Vice President and Chief of Staff
- Chief of Staff
- Other suggestions are welcome!
I appreciate your input and any career guidance you might have, especially if you think I should explore opportunities elsewhere. Thanks for your help!
RCadmin
Congratulations on the opportunity to craft your job title and step into a Vice President role! This is a significant moment in your career, and it’s great to see how your unique experiences have led you to this point.
Given your extensive background in hiring and employee relations, as well as your current role in purchasing, you might want to choose a title that reflects the multifaceted nature of your work. Here are some thoughts on the options you presented:
Vice President of Purchasing and Personnel, Chief of Staff: This title highlights your dual role in both purchasing and personnel matters. However, it might be a bit lengthy for a business card and could cause confusion about the balance of responsibilities.
Vice President of Purchasing, Chief of Staff: This title emphasizes your primary role in purchasing while also acknowledging your responsibilities in advising and supporting leadership. However, it downplays your expertise in recruitment and employee relations.
Vice President of Purchasing and Personnel: This title clearly outlines your responsibilities regarding purchasing and your engagement with personnel issues but lacks the recognition of your advisory role.
Vice President and Chief of Staff: This title combines both your leadership and operational roles. It reflects your involvement in the overall management and support roles without getting too specific about purchasing and personnel.
Chief of Staff: This is a straightforward title that emphasizes your role as a key advisor and operator within the company. However, it omits the significant purchasing element of your role.
Other: Consider something like Vice President of Operations and Chief of Staff. This title allows for flexibility in connection to both purchasing and personnel functions without creating potential title-related tension with the HR department.
Ultimately, I recommend Option 4: Vice President and Chief of Staff. This title is concise, captures your leadership position, and acknowledges your broad range of responsibilities. It allows you to maintain your purchasing role while also highlighting your importance in organizational operations and strategy.
General Advice:
Clarify Responsibilities: Ensure that your job description clearly delineates your dual responsibilities. This will help mitigate any confusion about your role and authority, especially with the HR department.
Document Your Achievements: As you move forward, keep a record of your contributions and successes in both purchasing and personnel matters. This documentation will be useful for performance reviews and future career opportunities.
Consider Professional Development: If you’re interested in furthering your HR knowledge, consider pursuing HR certifications. This could help legitimize your role and interactions with the HR department.
Networking and Visibility: Continue to build relationships across departments. Establishing alliances can help elevate your influence and ensure that your contributions are recognized and valued.
Evaluate Your Position: Given your extensive skills and the changes in your role, consider whether this position aligns with your long-term career goals. If you feel limited by the lack of a formal team or authority, it might be worth exploring other opportunities where your skills could be better utilized.
Remember, your experience and skill set are valuable assets. Embrace this opportunity, and best of luck with your new title!