Senior Buyer

Talentify; Pontiac (MI); On-site; USD 88,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Aston Carter is seeking a Senior Buyer to manage strategic supplier relationships and drive cost reduction in a high-mix, low-volume automotive environment. You will develop purchasing policies, ensure supplier performance, and support cross-functional teams with reliable sourcing solutions.

The role emphasizes strong negotiation, ERP/MRP proficiency, and experience with automotive OEMs. This on-site position is based in Pontiac, MI with a competitive benefits and bonus structure.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of professional experience in procurement or supply chain management.
• Bachelor’s degree in purchasing, supply chain, business, technical discipline, or a related field.
• Powertrain, driveline, or brake line purchasing experience in automotive contexts.
• Experience with automotive OEMs such as Stellantis, GM, Ford, VW, Honda preferred.
• Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems and advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Experience in a high mix, low volume manufacturing environment.
• Strong cost modeling, market analysis, and market supply dynamics.
• Excellent analytical, negotiation, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement purchasing policies, procedures, and systems.
• Collaborate with product engineering and quality teams to define supplier requirements.
• Identify and evaluate vendors for materials, equipment, and supplies.
• Prepare bid awards requiring board approval and ensure policy alignment.
• Review PO claims and contracts for conformance with terms and regulations.
• Approve specifications for bids to ensure clarity and competitiveness.
• Administer and maintain online purchasing systems and data integrity.
• Process requisitions and purchase orders with accuracy and timeliness.
• Develop and execute cost reduction strategies to improve margins.
• Resolve vendor grievances and protect company interests.
• Analyze market trends and supplier delivery capabilities.
• Participate in specification development for equipment and substitutes.
• Maintain records of goods ordered and received for traceability.
• Represent the company in contract negotiations and policy discussions.
• Prepare market condition and costs reports for leadership.
• Arrange disposal of surplus materials cost-effectively.
• Develop operating strategies related to purchasing and supply chain.
• Contribute to organizational policies affecting procurement.
• Implement process or policy changes to drive efficiency.

Skills

Procurement experience

Supply chain management

ERP/MRP systems

Negotiation skills

Cost modeling

Analytical skills

Vendor management

MS Excel

Automotive procurement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in purchasing, supply chain, business, or related field

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Job Title: Senior Buyer

Job Description

The Senior Buyer manages strategic relationships with existing and new suppliers, oversees company spending to reduce costs and improve profitability, and drives purchasing efficiency across the organization. This role is responsible for developing purchasing policies and systems, tracking supplier performance to ensure quality and on-time delivery, and supporting cross-functional teams with reliable sourcing solutions in a high mix, low volume automotive environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement purchasing and contract management instructions, policies, procedures, terms and conditions, and purchasing systems to support organizational objectives.
• Collaborate closely with product engineering and quality teams to define detailed supplier requirements and ensure they align with technical and quality standards.
• Identify and evaluate vendors for materials, equipment, and supplies, including interviewing suppliers to assess product availability, capabilities, and terms of sale.
• Prepare bid awards that require board approval, ensuring thorough documentation and alignment with company policies and strategic goals.
• Review purchase order claims and contracts to verify conformance with company policies, contractual terms, and regulatory requirements.
• Review, evaluate, and approve specifications used for issuing and awarding bids, ensuring clarity, completeness, and competitiveness.
• Administer and maintain online purchasing systems, ensuring data integrity and efficient use by stakeholders.
• Prepare and process requisitions and purchase orders for supplies and equipment, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and cost-effectiveness.
• Develop and execute cost reduction strategies and savings plans to improve margins while maintaining quality and delivery performance.
• Resolve vendor or contractor grievances and claims against suppliers, working to protect company interests and maintain productive relationships.
• Analyze market trends and delivery systems to assess current and future material availability, and provide recommendations based on market conditions.
• Participate in the development of specifications for equipment, products, or substitute materials to support engineering and operations needs.
• Maintain accurate records of goods ordered and received, ensuring traceability and compliance with internal controls.
• Represent the company in contract negotiations and in the formulation of supplier-related policies, securing favorable terms and long-term partnerships.
• Prepare reports on market conditions, material availability, and merchandise costs to support decision-making and strategic planning.
• Arrange for the disposal of surplus materials in a cost-effective and compliant manner.
• Develop operating strategies, plans, and procedures related to purchasing and supply chain activities.
• Contribute to the development of organizational policies or programs that impact procurement and supplier management.
• Implement organizational process or policy changes within the purchasing function to drive efficiency and continuous improvement.
• Interview employees, customers, and external parties to collect information and coordinate with outside organizations to exchange relevant sourcing and supply chain information.
• Manage multiple programs and customer requirements simultaneously, ensuring that purchasing activities support program timelines and deliverables.

Essential Skills

• 3+ years of professional experience in procurement or supply chain management, with demonstrated success in a purchasing role.
• Bachelor’s degree in purchasing, supply chain, business, technical discipline, or a related field.
• Powertrain, driveline, or brake line purchasing experience in an automotive context.
• Experience working with automotive OEMs such as Stellantis, GM, Ford, Volkswagen, and Honda preferred; experience with other automotive OEMs or tier 1 suppliers is considered.
• Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems and advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Experience in a high mix, low volume manufacturing or production environment.
• Strong understanding of cost modeling, market analysis, and market supply dynamics.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to interpret data and make sound recommendations.
• Strong negotiation and problem-solving skills, with a track record of achieving favorable commercial outcomes.
• Proven ability to manage multiple programs and customers concurrently while maintaining quality and timelines.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and strong interpersonal skills for effective collaboration with internal teams and external suppliers.
• Hands‑on purchasing, procurement, and purchase order management experience.
• Vendor management experience, including performance tracking and relationship development.
• Working knowledge of inventory, planning, logistics, and buying processes.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with high mix, low volume automotive program work and related sourcing strategies.
• Familiarity with online purchasing systems and digital procurement tools.
• Ability to develop and implement purchasing policies, procedures, and organizational programs.
• Experience preparing bid awards and working within governance structures that require board or executive approvals.
• Background in developing cost reduction strategies and savings plans in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience analyzing market and delivery systems to anticipate material availability and supply risks.
• Capability to prepare detailed reports on market conditions, costs, and supplier performance for leadership review.
• Experience resolving vendor grievances and contract‑related issues while maintaining professional relationships.
• Comfort representing the organization in contract negotiations and policy discussions with suppliers.
• Ability to support organizational change by implementing new processes or policy updates within the purchasing function.

Work Environment

This position is fully on‑site, five days per week, with a Monday-Friday schedule, typically 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. or 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. The role is currently based in Pontiac, Michigan, with an anticipated relocation to a significantly larger facility in the Chesterfield and New Baltimore area.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Pontiac, MI.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $88000.00 - $110000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job‑related factors.

Company does have a competitive benefits package and a bonus program and structure in place.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Pontiac,MI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 3, 2026.

About Aston Carter

Aston Carter provides world‑class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry‑leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® Platinum Award winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.