Sr. Buyer

Relyans Max•Lapeer, MI

31d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Buyer is responsible for sourcing assigned commodities and services to ensure an uninterrupted supply supporting continuous operations. This role drives best-in-class purchasing decisions for production and non-production materials, capital investments, and services. The Senior Buyer identifies and evaluates suppliers, negotiates commercial agreements, and secures optimal value for the Company through cost, quality, delivery performance, and risk management. The position actively monitors supplier performance and market trends, develops pricing forecasts to support budgeting, and contributes to continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen supply continuity and reduce total cost of ownership.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Materials Management, Logistics, Finance, Business, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
Minimum of five (5) years of purchasing experience in the automotive industry within a high-volume manufacturing environment.
Proven negotiation skills with the ability to achieve favorable commercial outcomes.
Strong understanding of supply chain principles, sourcing strategies, and supplier performance management.
Experience interpreting technical specifications, drawings, and commercial requirements.
Working knowledge of ERP systems.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to influence stakeholders and drive results.
Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Commitment to conducting business in accordance with ethical standards and company policies.
Demonstrate active commitment to the company’s ISO 14001 EMS.
Ensure departmental processes comply with environmental policies, legal requirements, and customer expectations.
Ensure supplier processes comply with environmental policies, legal requirements, and customer expectations when applicable.
Identify and reduce environmental risks, waste streams, and resource consumption within area of responsibility.
Support environmental objectives and targets, including waste reduction, recycling, energy efficiency, and pollution prevention.
Promote employee awareness and accountability for environmentally responsible behaviors.
Participate in internal and external EMS audits and support corrective action activities.
Support spill prevention, containment, and response practices.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary liaison between Purchasing and internal stakeholders, including Manufacturing, Operations [Supply Chain (OSP)], Sales, Quality, Engineering, and Finance/Controlling, as well as external suppliers.
Develop and maintain strategic supplier relationships that deliver optimal pricing, high-quality standards, and reliable on-time delivery performance.
Lead commercial negotiations and execute supplier agreements, ensuring favorable terms and conditions aligned with company objectives.
Consolidate sourcing opportunities to leverage purchasing volume and secure competitive procurement agreements.
Ensure compliance with policies and procedures.
Identify and implement process improvements to enhance purchasing efficiency and effectiveness.
Drive cost reduction initiatives through value analysis, supplier collaboration, and market benchmarking.
Rationalize and optimize the supplier base to improve efficiency, reduce risk, and increase strategic alignment.
Identify and qualify new suppliers as needed, including negotiating pricing structures, volume incentives, and long-term agreements.
Provide accurate technical documentation, specifications, and drawings to suppliers to ensure clarity of requirements.
Monitor market conditions and forecast pricing trends to support the annual budgeting process.
Ensure supplier contracts and purchase orders comply with Quality Management System requirements, including IATF 16949 / ISO 9001 / ISO 14001 standards and applicable customer requirements.
Support resolution of supplier-related quality or delivery issues that impact production, customer satisfaction, or operational performance.
Contribute to supplier performance management activities, including scorecards, KPI tracking, and escalation processes.
Prepare and present monthly purchasing KPI reports
Demonstrate a strong internal customer service mindset while balancing cost and operational requirements.
Support cross-functional initiatives and continuous improvement activities.
Perform other duties as assigned.