Purchasing Manager
Zeeland, MI | Direct Hire | Relocation Assistance Available
Our client is seeking an experienced Purchasing Manager to lead purchasing strategy, supplier performance, cost optimization, and a team of three within a fast-paced automotive manufacturing environment.
This is a highly visible leadership opportunity for an automotive purchasing professional ready to take ownership of supplier strategy, negotiations, cost reduction, budgeting, and team development.
Relocation assistance is available for qualified out-of-area candidates.
What You'll Do
- Lead the site's purchasing function and provide strategic direction for procurement activities.
- Manage, coach, and develop a team of 3 purchasing professionals.
- Develop sourcing and purchasing strategies aligned with operational and business objectives.
- Lead supplier selection, sourcing, negotiations, contracts, and supplier relationship management.
- Develop and maintain a strong supplier base focused on quality, cost, delivery, and service.
- Drive cost reduction, cost avoidance, VA/VE, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Manage annual purchasing plans, budgets, forecasts, and financial objectives.
- Monitor supplier performance and address quality, delivery, capacity, cost, and operational issues.
- Partner with Operations, Materials, Quality, Engineering, and Finance.
- Support new program launches, supplier transitions, and post-launch manufacturing requirements.
- Identify sourcing risks and develop strategies to strengthen supply continuity.
- Establish and improve purchasing processes, controls, policies, and procedures.
- Track and improve purchasing performance related to cost, quality, delivery, inventory, and supplier effectiveness.
What We're Looking For
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Procurement, Operations, Materials Management, or a related field.
- 8+ years of progressive purchasing experience in automotive manufacturing.
- 2+ years of procurement or purchasing leadership experience in automotive manufacturing.
- Strong experience with strategic sourcing, supplier negotiations, cost reduction, and supplier performance management.
- Proven ability to lead and develop purchasing professionals.
- Experience partnering cross-functionally within a manufacturing organization.
Preferred Experience
- Global or multi-site procurement experience.
- VA/VE, supplier development, and continuous improvement experience.
- New program launch and post-launch purchasing experience.
- Strong knowledge of strategic sourcing, purchasing, and materials management best practices.
Titles Encouraged to Apply
Purchasing Manager, Procurement Manager, Strategic Sourcing Manager, Senior Purchasing Manager, Commodity Manager, or similar automotive procurement leadership roles.
If you're an experienced automotive purchasing leader looking for greater ownership of supplier strategy, cost performance, and team development, this is an opportunity to make a significant impact within a manufacturing organization.
