Plant & Program Buyer

TI Automotive; Caro (MI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

TI Automotive in Caro, MI is seeking a Buyer II to partner with manufacturing, engineering, and corporate procurement to ensure material availability and successful program launches.

Split time between Caro Plant and corporate HQ, this hybrid role supports new product launches, low-volume programs, and continuous improvement across direct materials.

The role requires strong negotiation, cross-functional collaboration, and a Bachelor’s degree with 5+ years in automotive direct materials purchasing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business or related field.
• 5+ years of progressive automotive direct materials purchasing experience.
• Interest or experience in working with global suppliers or supporting cross-regional activities.

Responsibilities

• Support plant operations by managing purchasing activities for direct materials, ensuring timely material availability and production continuity.
• Partner with Commodity Management to execute approved sourcing strategies, issue purchase orders, and maintain accurate pricing and procurement data.
• Coordinate engineering changes, supplier transitions, and program activities to ensure alignment with production schedules and business objectives.
• Lead internal RFx coordination, support sales kick-offs and program reviews, and manage procurement deliverables for low-volume Aftermarket and High-Performance programs.
• Serve as the primary liaison between Plant Operations, Engineering, Program Management, Finance, and Corporate Procurement to communicate risks, resolve issues, and maintain stakeholder alignment.
• Manage program changes, cancellations, and extensions while ensuring accurate tracking, reporting, and timing across all stakeholders.
• Support plant shutdown planning, material readiness, and critical supply activities to minimize production disruption.
• Manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced Tier I automotive manufacturing environment while supporting continuous improvement initiatives and special projects.

Skills

Negotiation

Independent work

Communication

Cross-functional

Prioritization

Excel

IATF 16949

Automotive experience

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

The Buyer II serves as the primary procurement partner for the Caro, MI manufacturing facility while supporting new product launches and low-volume programs. This hybrid role bridges Plant Operations, Engineering, Program Management, and Corporate Procurement to ensure material availability, program execution, and alignment with corporate sourcing strategies. The position reports to Corporate Purchasing and plays a key role in supporting production, driving operational excellence, and delivering successful program launches.

Responsibilities of Position:

• Support plant operations by managing purchasing activities for direct materials, ensuring timely material availability and production continuity.
• Partner with Commodity Management to execute approved sourcing strategies, issue purchase orders, and maintain accurate pricing and procurement data.
• Coordinate engineering changes, supplier transitions, and program activities to ensure alignment with production schedules and business objectives.
• Lead internal RFx coordination, support sales kick-offs and program reviews, and manage procurement deliverables for low-volume Aftermarket and High-Performance programs.
• Serve as the primary liaison between Plant Operations, Engineering, Program Management, Finance, and Corporate Procurement to communicate risks, resolve issues, and maintain stakeholder alignment.
• Manage program changes, cancellations, and extensions while ensuring accurate tracking, reporting, and timing across all stakeholders.
• Support plant shutdown planning, material readiness, and critical supply activities to minimize production disruption.
• Manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced Tier I automotive manufacturing environment while supporting continuous improvement initiatives and special projects.

Skill Requirements:

• Strong negotiation skills with proven ability to influence outcomes and drive measurable results.
• Highly self-directed, with strong ownership, initiative, and ability to complete tasks independently.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, capable of interacting effectively across all organizational levels.
• Ability to work collaboratively and maintain strong professional relationships with cross-functional teams.
• Ability to switch between plant urgency and corporate discipline
• Demonstrated proficiency in managing multiple priorities and complex workloads.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office tools, particularly Excel (advanced functions preferred)
• Familiarity with TS-16949 or IATF 16949 quality systems.
• Experience in a fast-paced Tier 1 automotive supplier environment strongly preferred.

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in business or related field required.
• 5 + years of progressive automotive direct materials purchasing experience.
• Interest or experience in working with global suppliers or supporting cross-regional activities

Work Structure:

Split time between Caro Plant (Caro, MI) and Corporate HQ (Auburn Hills, MI)

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to work at a personal computer for extended periods of time.