Senior Buyer - Resin

Ford Motor • Dearborn, MI

12d • Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking a data-driven and strategic Resins Buyer to lead the sourcing, negotiation, and lifecycle management of our resin and polymer portfolio. In this role, you will manage complex supplier relationships, monitor global market trends, and work cross-functionally to ensure supply continuity and cost optimization. If you have a deep understanding of chemical commodities and a passion for driving value through strategic procurement, we want to hear from you. As a Resins Buyer, you will be an integral member of our Procurement Team, working collaboratively to execute a sourcing strategies for our critical and volatile commodity categories. While you will thrive within a supportive team environment, you must also be comfortable working independently and taking full ownership of your assigned portfolio. We are looking for a self-starter who takes the initiative to identify risks and opportunities before they arise and who possesses a deep-seated willingness to learn the technical and commercial aspects of the dynamic resins market. Whether leading a cross-functional cost-savings project or guiding internal stakeholders through complex market shifts, your leadership will be vital to our success. You will serve as a key commercial link, bridging the gap between our Engineering teams and our global supply base. Your ability to balance an independent and proactive drive will be essential as we work together to navigate global trends, optimize multi-million dollar spend, and deliver innovative products to our customers.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• 3–5 years of experience in professional procurement or commodity management.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUPs) and experience with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, or Coupa).
• Proven ability to influence internal stakeholders and negotiate effectively with external partners.

Nice To Haves

• Direct experience purchasing Resins (Polypropylene, Nylon, ABS, etc.) or other chemical commodities.
• A deep understanding of the "indices" that drive resin pricing (e.g., IHS Markit, Platts, or CDI).
• Experience managing complex rebate structures and cost-of-goods-sold (COGS) modeling.
• CPSM (Certified Professional in Supply Management) or equivalent certification is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Act as one of the primary points of contact for resin suppliers; conduct regular performance reviews, audits, and business reviews to ensure alignment with company goals.
• Lead the negotiation of complex, co-managed buy agreements, focusing on pricing structures, volume commitments, and risk mitigation.
• Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, Finance and Quality teams to approve new materials, manage specifications, and support product launches.
• Maintain, track, and report on category spend. Utilize ERP and BI tools to provide visibility into budget variances and cost-saving achievements.
• Manage and process supplier rebate programs, ensuring all volume-based incentives are tracked, validated, and collected accurately.
• Stay ahead of market trends by monitoring feedstock prices (crude oil, natural gas), global capacity shifts, and regulatory changes affecting the resin industry.
• Proactively identify cost-avoidance and cost-reduction opportunities through material substitution, value engineering, or sourcing diversification.
• Develop and implement contingency plans to ensure supply continuity during market shortages or force majeure events.

Benefits

• Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
• Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care and more
• Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more
• Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases
• Tuition assistance
• Established and active employee resource groups
• Paid time off for individual and team community service
• A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day
• Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.

What This Job Offers

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