Buyer

Expert Connections; Spartanburg (SC); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Spartanburg, SC-based manufacturing client seeks a Buyer to manage supplier sourcing, selection, and negotiations. The role focuses on cost improvement and ensuring materials meet quality, cost, capacity and delivery requirements.

The ideal candidate has purchasing experience in manufacturing, with exposure to metal stamping, assembly, or tool & die operations, and a strong Lean/continuous improvement mindset.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field is required.
• Experience in purchasing within a manufacturing setting is required.
• Knowledge of metal stamping, assembly, or tool & die is a plus.
• Understanding of Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Manage sourcing and procurement activities for production materials and services.
• Lead supplier selection and evaluate suppliers on cost, quality, capacity, delivery and capability.
• Analyze quotations and negotiate pricing, terms, lead times and purchasing conditions.
• Identify and evaluate potential new suppliers to strengthen the supply base.
• Track supplier performance with scorecards and KPIs, drive corrective actions.
• Lead supplier improvement initiatives using Lean tools and problem-solving methods.
• Collaborate with Engineering to establish supplier criteria and verify process capabilities.
• Support investigations involving supplier quality, delivery, or other supply-chain issues.
• Maintain pricing, lead times, MOQs, and terms in the Material Master.
• Review weekly part-shortage reports and support material cost reviews.

Skills

Purchasing experience

Negotiation skills

Lean manufacturing knowledge

IATF 16949 knowledge

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or related field

Job description

Our client, a well-established automotive and heavy industrial manufacturer, is seeking a Buyer to join their Purchasing team in Spartanburg, SC.

This position will be responsible for supplier sourcing and selection, negotiations, supplier performance, cost improvement, and ensuring materials and services meet requirements for quality, cost, capacity, and delivery.

The ideal candidate brings purchasing experience within a manufacturing environment, preferably with exposure to metal stamping, assembly, and/or tool & die operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage sourcing and procurement activities for assigned production materials and services.
• Lead supplier selection and evaluate new and existing suppliers based on cost, quality, capacity, delivery, and overall capability.
• Analyze supplier quotations and negotiate pricing, commercial terms, lead times, and purchasing conditions.
• Identify and evaluate potential new suppliers to strengthen the supply base.
• Track supplier performance through scorecards, KPIs, and supplier rankings and drive corrective actions where needed.
• Lead supplier improvement initiatives using Lean methodologies and structured problem-solving tools.
• Partner with Engineering and technical teams to establish supplier selection criteria and verify supplier process capabilities.
• Support investigations involving supplier quality, delivery, or other significant supply-chain issues.
• Maintain accurate pricing, lead times, minimum order quantities, and commercial terms within the Material Master.
• Review and address weekly part-shortage reports.
• Support annual material cost reviews and ensure accurate material standards.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives across the end-to-end supply chain, including identifying opportunities to reduce waste and automate non-value-added activities.
• Build strong working relationships with suppliers and internal teams across Purchasing, Engineering, Manufacturing, and Quality.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or a related field.
• Purchasing or procurement experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with metal stamping, assembly, and/or tool & die.
• Knowledge of Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Knowledge of IATF 16949 requirements.
• Strong understanding of structured problem-solving tools and techniques.
• Strong supplier negotiation and relationship-management skills.
• Ability to evaluate suppliers from a commercial, quality, manufacturing, and operational perspective.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• CPSM certification preferred.
• Lean Practitioner experience or certification preferred.

Why Join?

• Join an established manufacturing operation serving demanding industrial and automotive markets.
• Take ownership of supplier sourcing, negotiation, performance, and improvement activities.
• Work closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, and Supply Chain teams.
• Play an active role in improving supplier performance and strengthening the company's supply base.
• Opportunity to drive measurable improvements in cost, quality, delivery, and operational efficiency.