Purchasing Operations Manager

Reliance One, Inc.; Auburn Hills (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Reliance One, Inc. is seeking an experienced procurement leader in Michigan to drive strategic sourcing and supplier performance across automotive direct materials.

You will lead cross-functional teams with Engineering, Program Management, Quality, Operations, and Finance to secure cost-effective, timely supply. Expertise in negotiating terms, evaluating suppliers, and developing a resilient supply base is required.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of purchasing, sourcing, or procurement in a manufacturing environment.
• Automotive, high-volume manufacturing, stamping, welding, and assembly experience preferred.
• Direct-material sourcing across steel, aluminum, stampings, fasteners, tooling, or related metals.
• Strong supplier development and cost-reduction capabilities.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems and supplier performance metrics.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in SCM, Business, or related field preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies aligned with operations and finance.
• Lead strategic sourcing across direct-material categories (steel, aluminum, tooling, etc.).
• Negotiate contracts, payment terms, rebates, and long-term supplier agreements.
• Evaluate suppliers via capability assessments and performance reviews.
• Develop new suppliers to diversify the supply base.
• Manage supplier quality, delivery, cost, and launch performance.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Sales, PM, Quality, and Finance on procurement goals.
• Mentor purchasing staff and lead plant-level and corporate sourcing teams.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Supplier management

Contract negotiation

Cost reduction

Cross-functional collaboration

Leadership/mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in SCM or related field

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Microsoft Excel

MS Word/Outlook

Job description

• Develop and execute sourcing and procurement strategies aligned with operational, financial, and overall business objectives.
• Lead strategic sourcing activities across key direct-material categories, including steel, aluminum, stampings, fasteners, coatings, tooling, and purchased assemblies.
• Negotiate contracts, commercial agreements, payment terms, rebates, long‑term agreements, and other supplier arrangements to support cost-reduction and purchase-price-variance objectives.
• Evaluate current and prospective suppliers through capability assessments, performance reviews, and supplier‑development initiatives.
• Identify and develop new suppliers to strengthen, diversify, and optimize the supply base.
• Establish and manage supplier expectations related to quality, delivery, cost, service, and launch performance.
• Partner with underperforming suppliers to implement corrective actions and identify alternative sourcing solutions when necessary.
• Support new‑business opportunities and new‑program launches, ensuring supplier readiness related to timing, cost, quality, capacity, and technical requirements.
• Lead purchasing and material‑sourcing activities associated with new program awards and launches.
• Support quoting and pre‑award activities by securing timely and competitive supplier quotations.
• Drive improvements in freight, inventory, logistics, and overall supply‑chain efficiency.
• Maintain supplier documentation, certifications, assessments, compliance records, and related purchasing requirements.
• Lead, mentor, and develop purchasing professionals supporting both plant‑level and corporate sourcing activities.
• Partner cross‑functionally with Engineering, Sales, Program Management, Quality, Operations, Finance, and other key stakeholders to ensure procurement strategies support broader organizational objectives.

Candidate Background

• 5+ years of purchasing, sourcing, or procurement experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience within automotive, high‑volume manufacturing, stamping, welding, and assembly environments is strongly preferred.
• Direct‑material sourcing experience involving commodities such as steel, aluminum, stampings, fasteners, tooling, purchased components, or related metallic products.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic sourcing, supplier selection, supplier development, and supply‑base optimization.
• Strong commercial and contract‑negotiation experience.
• Proven ability to manage supplier performance metrics and drive sustainable improvements in cost, quality, delivery, and service.
• Previous procurement leadership, supervisory, or team‑development experience is strongly preferred.
• Experience working with ERP/MRP systems.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel, Word, and Outlook.
• Bachelor’s degree or post‑secondary education in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related discipline preferred.

Reliance One, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex—including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity—national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Reasonable accommodations are available to qualified individuals with disabilities.