Project Purchasing Buyer

Challenge Manufacturing • Walker, MI

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Project Purchasing Buyer coordinates sourcing of component parts and raw materials used to manufacture finished-good assemblies. The role supports the complete lifecycle of parts, from pre-sourcing and product development through service requirements and end-of-life winddown. The position is based at Challenge Manufacturing’s Corporate Office in Walker, Michigan, and is scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Requirements

• 1–3 years of relevant experience in a similar industry.
• General purchasing knowledge and experience using MS Office and ERP tools.
• Experience with sourcing, negotiations, engineering, design, and project-management-related activities.
• Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university.
• Tool and die purchasing experience.
• Experience in a project-related supply chain management environment.
• Knowledge of quality-system requirements such as ISO 9000.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to assess the total economic impact of multiple business alternatives.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to multitask and form and lead cross-functional teams.
• Reliability in fulfilling obligations and consistently meeting deadlines.
• Proactive, energetic approach and ability to handle stress.
• Ability to perform responsibilities with energy, ownership, and personal commitment to the work and overall work environment.
• Ability to encourage others to be accountable for their commitments.
• Cooperative and flexible attitude, ambition, and team spirit.

Responsibilities

• Manage multiple procurement activities and tasks concurrently.
• Participate in broad assignments under minimal supervision, using originality and ingenuity.
• Support and influence internal stakeholders regarding procurement needs.
• Provide timely, effective status reports on work in progress.
• Issue requests for quotation (RFQs) for raw materials, production parts, and outsourced tooling.
• Prepare commercial bid analyses of supplier proposals.
• Negotiate pricing, payment terms, and purchase terms and conditions with suppliers.
• Manage contract negotiations with support from legal and leadership teams.
• Issue purchase orders in accordance with schedule constraints.
• Work with engineering, program management, accounting, operations, quality, and other disciplines to meet project requirements.
• Coordinate between suppliers, manufacturers, internal departments, and customers.
• Lead and manage key supplier relationships throughout the program lifecycle.
• Evaluate cost data and identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Monitor current and future market conditions and their likely effects on the supply and prices of equipment, materials, and services.
• Help develop strategic supplier initiatives for the assigned purchase-part commodity using the company’s detailed forecast model.
• Collaborate with finance to evaluate supplier risk and reduce company exposure through supply-chain diversification and supplier-performance analysis.
• Promote transparent communication between suppliers and customers about manufacturing limitations and opportunities.

Benefits

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), through which employee-owners receive company shares annually as an additional retirement benefit.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level