Buyer

Aston Carter•Dearborn, MI

11d•$35 - $55•Hybrid

About The Position

The Buyer will support a service parts purchasing organization by managing both strategic and transactional procurement activities for service parts commodities. This role combines hands-on purchase order management, supplier negotiations, and data-driven analysis to ensure goods and services meet cost, quality, and delivery targets. The Buyer will work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, acting as a key liaison between suppliers and internal teams while proactively resolving issues, driving cost savings, and supporting continuous improvement across the supply chain.

Requirements

3–10 years of experience in purchasing, with a focus on purchasing or procurement responsibilities.
Automotive or original equipment (OE) purchasing experience.
Proven experience as a buyer or purchasing professional handling purchase orders, supplier negotiations, and supplier portfolios.
Strong negotiation skills with the ability to secure favorable terms, pricing, and conditions.
Experience in purchasing/procurement and supplier relationship management.
Hands-on experience with Ariba and I-ERP systems for purchase order processing.
Intermediate Microsoft Excel skills, including the ability to perform data analysis (testing required).
Demonstrated ability to perform data analysis to support purchasing decisions and cost reduction activities.
Strong organization skills and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly communicate with suppliers and cross-functional teams.
Comfort working through conflict and addressing issues directly with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
Motivated, self-starter, and solution-oriented mindset.
Ability to work collaboratively with procurement and cross-functional teams to support continuous improvement.
Completed bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or a related field.

Nice To Haves

SAP experience.
Additional Ariba experience beyond basic purchase order processing.
Proven record of successful negotiations leading to cost savings or improved terms.
Project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple assignments and deadlines.
Experience using ERP systems to support purchasing and procurement activities.
Experience in supplier performance evaluation and reporting.
Strong business acumen and understanding of supply chain principles.
Curiosity and a continuous improvement mindset aligned with a culture that values putting people first, doing the right thing, being curious, creating tomorrow, building tough, playing to win, and working as one team.

Responsibilities

Purchase goods, materials, components, and services in line with specified cost, quality, and delivery targets.
Handle day-to-day strategic and transactional purchasing activities, including managing purchase orders, supplier negotiations, back orders, and complex supplier portfolios.
Support the purchasing function and other relevant departments by communicating supply issues that may impact business operations.
Act as an interface between suppliers and internal departments on purchasing processes, new projects, and ongoing activities.
Monitor and advise on issues that present risk or opportunity to the organization, escalating and resolving them as appropriate.
Monitor market trends, competitor strategies, and market suppliers to inform sourcing decisions.
Provide cost analysis for new and existing parts and support cost reduction initiatives.
Collaborate closely with colleagues in procurement to identify and implement continuous improvement and business improvement opportunities.
Negotiate contracts, prices, and terms of business with suppliers, using negotiation and procurement best practices to achieve savings.
Build, maintain, and manage strong supplier relationships and ensure consistent, professional communication.
Conduct research to identify new components and potential suppliers to support sourcing strategies.
Compile and maintain data related to supplier performance to support evaluation and decision-making.
Contact suppliers to resolve issues related to price, quality, delivery, or invoices.
Resolve supplier shortages and past-due situations to protect service levels and customer satisfaction.
Update and maintain commodity strategies in alignment with organizational goals.
Work with cost estimating teams to develop cost estimates for savings negotiations and to mitigate supplier price increase requests.
Produce weekly reports, charts, and status updates on open assignments and projects for leadership and stakeholders.
Perform market tests, analyze supplier responses, and award sourcing of parts based on defined criteria.
Review open vehicles off road (VOR) and backorders on a weekly basis and expedite parts delivery as needed.
Gather data, analyze issues, and develop practical solutions to purchasing and supply chain challenges.
Operate as a strong communicator who is comfortable addressing conflict and driving resolution with suppliers and internal partners.