Buyer - Engineer to Order

Colonial Group; Caledonia (MI); On-site; USD 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Starting salary $60,000/year

Paid holidays, vacation, PTO, and EPTO

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement plans

Tuition and fitness reimbursement

Hands-on exposure to custom equipment 

Job summary

Koch Finishing Systems in Caledonia, MI is seeking a Buyer to lead purchasing and supplier management for our engineer-to-order manufacturing operation. You will read engineering drawings and BOMs, source specialized components, and collaborate cross-functionally to keep projects on track.

The role offers growth in procurement, strategic sourcing, and supplier development with exposure to custom industrial equipment projects and cross-site coordination.

Qualifications

• Read and interpret technical specs, engineering drawings, and BOMs.
• 2+ years purchasing/procurement experience.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office; ERP/MRP experience a plus.
• Strong negotiation and supplier management skills.
• Able to juggle multiple projects and deadlines with accuracy.

Responsibilities

• Review requisitions, drawings, specs, and BOMs before placing orders.
• Source specialized industrial components and finishes.
• Identify and qualify new suppliers; build vendor relationships.
• Request quotes, negotiate pricing, lead times, payment terms, and delivery requirements; issue POs.
• Coordinate delivery logistics between job sites, fabrication facilities, and subcontractors.
• Track supplier performance and document results in the ERP system.
• Onboard new suppliers with Engineering and Estimating teams.
• Manage surplus and project-specific buyouts.
• Resolve pricing, fulfillment, and invoice discrepancies across departments.
• Drive NCR, RMAs, and supplier corrective actions with Quality Control.

Skills

Reading BOMs and drawings

Negotiation

Supplier management

Project coordination

Attention to accuracy

Education

Associate degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain, Purchasing, or related field

Tools

ERP/MRP system

Microsoft Office

Job description

Buyer – Purchasing & Supply Chain | Engineer-to-Order Manufacturing

Koch Finishing Systems | Caledonia, MI (5041 68th St SE, Caledonia, MI 49316)
Full-time | Starting at $60,000/year

Koch Finishing Systems is hiring a Buyer to lead purchasing, procurement, strategic sourcing, and supplier management for our engineer‑to‑order (ETO) manufacturing operation. This is a strong fit for a purchasing or procurement professional who's comfortable reading engineering drawings, specs, and bills of material (BOMs), and who enjoys solving problems in a fast‑paced, project‑driven environment.

You’ll work cross‑functionally with Engineering, Project Management, Estimating, Manufacturing, Inventory, Quality, Shipping/Receiving, and Accounting to source the materials and components behind our custom‑engineered industrial finishing systems — plating barrels, process tanks, structural frames, automated hoists, pumps, chemical dosing systems, filtration systems, rectifiers, heating coils, and custom plastic fabrications.

About Koch Finishing Systems

We design and build custom industrial finishing equipment — from plating and anodizing systems to chemical processing lines — for manufacturers nationwide, partnering with customers from concept through installation.

What You Get

• Starting pay of $60,000/year
• Paid holidays, vacation, PTO, and EPTO
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Retirement plans
• Tuition and fitness reimbursement
• Hands‑on exposure to custom industrial equipment projects alongside Engineering, Manufacturing, and Project teams

What You’ll Do

• Review purchase requisitions, engineering drawings, specs, and BOMs to confirm accuracy before placing orders
• Source specialized industrial, plating, and finishing components — including titanium/zirconium heating coils, chemical‑resistant pumps and valves, rectifiers, filtration systems, and custom plastic fabrications
• Identify and qualify new suppliers and subcontractors; build strong, lasting vendor relationships
• Request quotes, negotiate pricing, lead times, payment terms, and delivery requirements; issue accurate purchase orders
• Keep materials, equipment, and subcontracted services on track to meet project schedules
• Coordinate delivery logistics between job sites, fabrication facilities, and subcontractors, verifying destination, quantity, and timing
• Track supplier performance (quality, cost, lead time, on‑time delivery) and document results in the ERP system
• Partner with Engineering and Estimating to onboard new suppliers, including credit applications and tax‑exemption documentation
• Manage surplus and obsolete inventory alongside the Inventory Coordinator
• Maintain stock levels for standard parts while managing project‑specific buyouts
• Resolve pricing, fulfillment, and invoice discrepancies with Shipping/Receiving, Engineering, and Accounting
• Drive non‑conforming material (NCR) resolution, RMAs, and supplier corrective actions with Quality Control
• Contribute to cross‑functional purchasing and supply chain process improvements

What You Bring

• Associate degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain, Purchasing, or related field — or equivalent experience
• 2+ years of purchasing/procurement experience, including sourcing major equipment or industrial components
• Ability to read and interpret technical specs, engineering drawings, and BOMs
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; ERP/MRP/purchasing system experience a plus
• Strong negotiation, supplier management, and problem‑solving skills
• Ability to juggle multiple projects, suppliers, and deadlines without losing accuracy

Nice to Have

• Background in metal finishing, electroplating, anodizing, industrial chemical handling, or wastewater treatment equipment
• Strategic sourcing or supplier development experience
• Familiarity with corrosion‑resistant materials (polypropylene, PVC/CPVC, PVDF, titanium, 316 stainless steel, steel, copper)

Occasional travel to other Koch locations may be required (details shared during the interview).