Buyer

Our Next Energy•Novi, MI

About The Position

The Buyer will lead Requests for Quotation (RFQs), supplier selection, and strategic sourcing activities for assigned commodities. This role involves identifying, evaluating, and qualifying new suppliers in partnership with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Supplier Quality. The Buyer will negotiate pricing, commercial terms, lead times, payment terms, and supply agreements to achieve cost and operational objectives, while also developing and maintaining supplier relationships that support quality, delivery, innovation, and continuous improvement. Key responsibilities include creating, issuing, managing, and expediting purchase orders to ensure uninterrupted material availability, monitoring supplier performance, and proactively resolving issues. The Buyer will also support supplier development activities, collaborate with cross-functional teams on prototype builds and new product introductions, analyze demand requirements, identify supply chain risks, and support supplier capacity planning and long-term sourcing strategies. Maintaining accurate purchasing data, ensuring compliance with company policies, and preparing purchasing metrics are also essential. The role emphasizes driving cost reduction, process improvement, and supplier performance initiatives.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered
Minimum of 3 years of purchasing, procurement, or supply chain experience in a manufacturing environment
Experience managing RFQs, supplier negotiations, and purchase order execution
Knowledge of manufacturing processes, production planning, and supplier management
Experience working within ERP/MRP systems

Nice To Haves

Automotive, battery, electronics, or advanced manufacturing purchasing experience strongly preferred
Microsoft Dynamics experience preferred
Experience supporting new product launches and engineering development programs
Knowledge of lithium-ion battery systems, power electronics, electrical systems, or renewable energy technologies
Experience working with global suppliers and international sourcing
Familiarity with APQP, PPAP, supplier quality processes, and automotive manufacturing standards
Professional certifications such as CPSM, CPIM, or CSCP are a plus

Responsibilities

Lead Requests for Quotation (RFQs), supplier selection, and strategic sourcing activities for assigned commodities.
Identify, evaluate, and qualify new suppliers in partnership with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Supplier Quality.
Negotiate pricing, commercial terms, lead times, payment terms, and supply agreements to achieve cost and operational objectives.
Develop and maintain supplier relationships that support quality, delivery, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Create, issue, manage, and expedite purchase orders to ensure uninterrupted material availability.
Monitor supplier performance and proactively resolve delivery, quality, and capacity issues.
Support supplier development activities to ensure successful achievement of program milestones and production readiness.
Collaborate with Engineering, Manufacturing, Planning, Program Management, and Quality to support prototype builds, new product introductions (NPI), engineering changes, and production schedules.
Analyze demand requirements and identify supply chain risks, implementing mitigation plans to minimize disruptions.
Support supplier capacity planning and long-term sourcing strategies aligned with business growth.
Maintain accurate purchasing data, supplier records, pricing, and contracts within the ERP system.
Ensure compliance with company procurement policies, quality standards, export control requirements (when applicable), and ethical sourcing practices.
Prepare purchasing metrics, supplier scorecards, and reports for management review.
Drive cost reduction, process improvement, and supplier performance initiatives.