Technical Buyer

Brown & Brown UK; Beaverton (MI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Brown & Brown UK is seeking a Technical Buyer for capital equipment manufacturing in Beaverton, MI. You will read blueprints, evaluate supplier quotes, and protect quality while controlling cost to keep production moving.

You will collaborate with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Inventory, and Finance to source components, manage POs in ERP, and drive supplier performance and lead time improvements.

Qualifications

• Ability to read blueprints, mechanical drawings, and specifications.
• Experience evaluating quotes, supplier capability, and lead times.
• Strong negotiation and communication with internal teams and suppliers.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems to manage orders and supplier data.
• Bachelor's or Associate's degree; equivalent experience considered.

Responsibilities

• Source, evaluate, qualify, and develop suppliers for technical, engineered, and per-print goods and services.
• Review requisitions, BOMs, drawings, specifications, and delivery requirements to ensure purchased items meet business and production needs.
• Solicit and analyze supplier quotes based on quality, delivery, cost, responsiveness, and overall value.
• Negotiate pricing, delivery schedules, payment terms, and other commercial requirements.
• Purchase custom and standard components, materials, and services such as machined, fabricated, welded, sheet metal, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, heat-treated, coated, finished, and specialty-process items.
• Coordinate outsourced manufacturing services when internal capacity, timing, or business needs require outside support.
• Manage purchase orders through the ERP system and maintain accurate supplier, pricing, lead time, delivery, and item information.
• Follow up on orders, expedite materials, and communicate delivery risks that may impact production schedules or customer commitments.
• Work cross-functionally to resolve shortages, supplier issues, nonconforming materials, substitutions, deviation requests, and invoice discrepancies.
• Support supplier development, inventory optimization, lead time improvement, cost reduction, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Blueprint reading

Negotiation

ERP/MRP proficiency

Supplier development

Analytical thinking

Communication

Problem solving

Technical sourcing

Education

Bachelor's or Associate's degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, or related field

Equivalent experience considered

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Job description

Technical Buyer | Manufacturing | Capital Equipment

If you are the kind of purchasing professional who can read a blueprint, challenge a quote, solve a supplier issue, and keep production moving, this role is built for you. We are looking for a Technical Buyer who understands that great purchasing is not just about placing orders- it is about protecting quality, controlling cost, supporting delivery commitments, and building supplier partnerships that make manufacturing stronger.

Why This Role Stands Out

This is a hands-on, high-impact purchasing position at the center of capital equipment manufacturing. You will work closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Inventory, and Finance to source custom and standard components, coordinate outsourced services, resolve technical questions, and help keep complex projects on track. The right person will have the opportunity to influence supplier performance, improve lead times, support cost reduction, and make daily decisions that directly impact production success.

What You'll Do

• Source, evaluate, qualify, and develop suppliers for technical, engineered, and per-print goods and services.
• Review purchase requisitions, bills of material, drawings, specifications, and delivery requirements to ensure purchased items meet business and production needs.
• Solicit and analyze supplier quotes based on quality, delivery, cost, responsiveness, and overall value.
• Negotiate pricing, delivery schedules, payment terms, and other commercial requirements.
• Purchase custom and standard components, materials, and services such as machined, fabricated, welded, sheet metal, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, heat-treated, coated, finished, and specialty-process items.
• Coordinate outsourced manufacturing services when internal capacity, timing, or business needs require outside support.
• Manage purchase orders through the ERP system and maintain accurate supplier, pricing, lead time, delivery, and item information.
• Follow up on orders, expedite materials, and communicate delivery risks that may impact production schedules or customer commitments.
• Work cross-functionally to resolve shortages, supplier issues, nonconforming materials, substitutions, deviation requests, and invoice discrepancies.
• Support supplier development, inventory optimization, lead time improvement, cost reduction, and continuous improvement initiatives.

What You Bring

• Five to ten years of related purchasing, procurement, supply chain, manufacturing, engineering, or technical sourcing experience preferred.
• Experience purchasing engineered-to-order, custom, low-volume/high-mix, or technically complex manufactured components preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, mechanical drawings, bills of material, specifications, tolerances, finishes, and other technical documentation.
• Working knowledge of manufacturing processes such as machining, welding, fabrication, sheet metal, assembly, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, heat treating, coatings, and finishing preferred.
• Experience using ERP/MRP systems to manage purchase orders, supplier data, lead times, inventory information, and delivery status.
• Strong negotiation, analytical, problem-solving, organization, follow-up, and decision-making skills.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to clearly discuss technical and commercial requirements with suppliers and internal teams.
• Associate's or bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, Manufacturing, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience may be considered.

The Kind of Person Who Will Thrive Here

You are curious, detail-oriented, and comfortable working in the gray areas where engineering requirements, supplier capabilities, production timing, and business priorities all meet. You know how to ask good questions, follow through, communicate early, and take ownership when something needs to be solved. You enjoy working with people across departments and suppliers outside the organization, and you take pride in helping manufacturing teams deliver high-quality equipment on time.

This role operates in a manufacturing environment and requires regular collaboration with office, production, engineering, quality, inventory, and finance teams. The position may include supplier visits and occasional travel, including international travel as business needs require.

Equal Opportunity Employer: We are an equal opportunity employer and consider all qualified applicants without regard to legally protected characteristics.