Senior Buyer

Job Description

Drive Purchasing Strategy While Supporting High-Impact Automotive Programs

Location: Hybrid - Pontiac, MI & Caro, MI. Will split time between the 2 locations onsite Mon-Thurs, remote on Fridays. Someone living somewhere in between, such as Lapeer would be ideal.

Our client is seeking an experienced Senior Buyer to play a critical role in supporting both plant operations and corporate purchasing initiatives within a fast-paced automotive manufacturing environment. This position is ideal for a purchasing professional who thrives in a dynamic setting, enjoys balancing strategic sourcing with day-to-day execution, and can effectively collaborate across manufacturing, engineering, finance, and supply chain teams.

As the Senior Buyer, you'll manage direct material purchasing activities, support low-volume and specialty automotive programs, coordinate engineering and supplier changes, and ensure purchasing activities align with broader sourcing strategies. This is an excellent opportunity to make a measurable impact while working in a highly collaborative, Tier 1 automotive environment.
Responsibilities

• Manage direct material purchasing activities to support manufacturing operations.
• Issue and maintain blanket purchase orders while ensuring alignment with approved sourcing strategies.
• Partner with commodity managers to execute purchasing decisions consistent with corporate procurement objectives.
• Verify supplier invoices for pricing, quantities, and contract compliance.
• Maintain accurate pricing and purchasing data within ERP systems.
• Ensure timely and accurate execution of transactional purchasing activities.
• Serve as the primary liaison between plant operations, engineering, finance, program management, and corporate purchasing teams.
• Support plant shutdown activities and purchasing requirements.
• Coordinate engineering change notices (ECNs) and supplier-related changes.
• Participate in program management, planning, and cross-functional meetings.
• Manage internal activities and supplier communications.
• Track program milestones, maintain reporting accuracy, and ensure data traceability.
• Identify and communicate purchasing risks, supply concerns, and cost-saving opportunities.
• Manage program extensions, cancellations, and purchasing transitions.
• Successfully prioritize and manage multiple projects in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Complete additional purchasing and supply chain projects as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Purchasing, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience purchasing direct materials within the automotive industry.
• Strong negotiation skills with a demonstrated ability to influence suppliers and achieve business objectives.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting Tier 1 or 2 automotive suppliers.
• Experience working with global suppliers or cross-regional sourcing initiatives.
• Experience managing engineering changes and supplier transitions.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This position offers the opportunity to work with a global organization with significant growth potential. It offers the ability to influence both operational execution and strategic sourcing initiatives while working alongside experienced manufacturing and supply chain professionals. You'll have visibility across multiple functions, contribute to key automotive programs, and play an important role in ensuring supply chain performance and purchasing excellence.

Titles Encouraged to Apply

• Senior Purchasing Agent
• Commodity Buyer
• Strategic Buyer
• Direct Materials Buyer
• Procurement Specialist
• Purchasing Manager
• Supply Chain Buyer