Purchasing Buyer

Location: Howell, MI and Troy, MI
Department: Purchasing

Reports To: Head of Purchasing Americas

Travel: Weekly travel between Howell and Troy facilities; additional travel within the Americas as needed

Position Summary

We are seeking a results-driven Direct Purchasing Buyer to join our Purchasing team and support operations across the Americas region. This role is responsible for sourcing direct materials, managing supplier relationships, negotiating contracts, and driving cost savings while ensuring quality, delivery, and supply continuity.

The successful candidate will work closely with Engineering, Operations, Quality, and Program Management teams to support production requirements and strategic sourcing initiatives throughout the Americas.

This position is based in Michigan and requires weekly travel between our Howell and Troy facilities. This is a fully on-site position; remote or hybrid work arrangements are not available.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for assigned direct material commodities.
• Lead supplier selection, RFQ activities, quote analysis, and contract negotiations.
• Manage supplier relationships to achieve quality, delivery, and cost objectives.
• Identify and implement cost reduction and value engineering initiatives.
• Monitor commodity markets, material pricing trends, and supply chain risks.
• Support new product launches through sourcing and supplier management activities.
• Conduct supplier business reviews and performance evaluations.
• Resolve supply disruptions and proactively mitigate supply chain risks.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support operational and customer requirements.
• Maintain accurate purchasing data and documentation within ERP systems.

Preferred Commodity Experience

• Fibers, nonwovens, and textiles, including PET and PP fibers
• Polyurethane, polyethylene, and polypropylene foams
• Elastomeric materials such as EPDM, EVA, and TPE
• Aluminum foils, thin-gauge aluminum sheets, and plastic films
• Thermoforming and injection molding processes

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 3 years of purchasing, sourcing, or procurement experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience negotiating supplier agreements and managing supplier relationships.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred

• Experience purchasing direct materials in automotive or industrial manufacturing.
• Commodity experience in fibers, nonwovens, polymers, foams, aluminum foils, films, or molded components.
• Knowledge of thermoforming and injection molding processes.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems.
• CPSM, CPSD, APICS, or similar professional certification.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to play a key role in supporting purchasing operations across the Americas while partnering with manufacturing, engineering, and supplier teams. The Direct Purchasing Buyer will have a direct impact on sourcing strategy, supplier performance, cost optimization, and supply chain resilience within a growing organization.

If you are a motivated procurement professional with manufacturing purchasing experience and a passion for supplier development and strategic sourcing, we encourage you to apply..