Buyer

Great Lakes Energy•Newaygo, MI

32d•Onsite

About The Position

Great Lakes Energy is looking for a strategic and detail-oriented Buyer to support the procurement of materials, equipment, and services that keep our operations running efficiently and reliably. In this role, you'll build strong supplier partnerships, support sourcing and contract activities, help manage inventory needs, and work closely with teams across the organization to ensure the right resources are available at the right time. Your efforts will directly support the delivery of safe, reliable electric and broadband services to the communities we serve. Who We Are For over 85 years, Great Lakes Energy has powered rural communities across 26 counties in western and northern Michigan. As the third-largest Michigan-based electric utility and the state's largest member-owned power company, we serve over 128,000 meters with pride. Beyond delivering reliable electricity, we are leaders in advanced fiber technology through Truestream, our communication solutions subsidiary. At Great Lakes Energy, we prioritize enriching the lives of our community members and employees. With over 300 team members, we're more than just colleagues, we're a close-knit family, united by a shared vision of growth, innovation, and community service.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, or a related field, along with at least five years of related experience. Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
Experience with strategic sourcing, purchasing, supplier relationship management, inventory planning, contract administration, and procurement processes.
Experience working with ERP systems, data analysis tools, and Microsoft Office/365 applications.
Ability to collect, organize, analyze, and present data through reports, dashboards, and other business tools while adapting to emerging workplace technologies.
Strong negotiation, contract management, financial analysis, and decision-making skills with the ability to balance operational needs, supplier performance, and cost considerations.
Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and collaboration skills with the ability to establish productive relationships with suppliers, contractors, industry partners, and internal stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

Utility industry experience in electric, gas, water, or telecommunications is preferred.

Responsibilities

Reviewing inventory levels, evaluating purchase requests, and coordinating with internal teams regarding upcoming projects and material needs.
Analyzing demand requirements, monitoring supply chain activity, and working proactively to ensure critical materials and equipment are available to support ongoing operations.
Sourcing products and services, evaluating vendor proposals, negotiating pricing and contract terms, and placing purchase orders for a variety of utility-related materials.
Collaborating with suppliers to address delivery schedules, resolve shortages, and maintain strong vendor relationships that support the Cooperative's operational goals.
Working closely with engineering, operations, construction, finance, and maintenance teams to understand business needs and develop sourcing strategies that balance quality, reliability, compliance, and cost effectiveness.
Analyzing procurement data, reviewing supplier performance metrics, updating purchasing records, reconciling invoices, or assisting with reporting and compliance activities.
Participating in vendor meetings, industry events, or cross-functional planning discussions focused on continuous improvement and supply chain optimization.