Position Title: Purchasing Buyer
Duration: Contract
Location: Troy, Michigan USA
Position Summary:
- This is a temporary contract position (2-3 months) for a Purchasing Analyst to provide immediate support to the procurement function.
- The contractor will manage purchase orders, track raw materials and MRO consumables, facilitate RFQ processes, and deliver spend analytics.
- This role works cross-functionally with operations, cost estimating, finance, and suppliers to ensure timely, cost-effective procurement while maintaining accurate documentation and compliance with company agreements.
- The contract may be extended based on business need and performance.
Skills & Competencies:
- Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, or similar)
- Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel for data analysis, pivot tables, and reporting
- Intermediate + skills in using AI tools
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills for cross-functional and supplier interaction
- Detail-oriented with a high degree of accuracy in data entry and documentation
- Demonstrated knowledge of industrial fastener standards (SAE, metric, ASTM grades) and MRO consumable categories; experience with VMI programs and distributor management is a plus
Key Responsibilities:
Fasteners & Consumables Procurement:
- Source, quote, and manage purchase orders for industrial fasteners including bolts, screws, nuts, washers, rivets, and specialty hardware to specification
- Manage consumables categories including brake fluid, adhesives, sealants, and lubricants
- Interpret engineering drawings and part specifications to ensure correct fastener grade, thread form, drive type, finish, and material (e.g., SAE, metric, stainless, zinc-plated)
- Negotiate pricing and supply agreements with fastener distributors and VMI (Vendor Managed Inventory) providers to reduce unit cost and ensure stock availability
- Monitor consumption trends for high-velocity consumables and collaborate with production and maintenance teams to right-size inventory and reduce waste
- Conduct spend analysis on fastener and consumable categories to identify consolidation opportunities and benchmark pricing against market standards
- Support standardization initiatives by working with engineering to reduce fastener variety across platforms, driving economies of scale
Purchase Order Management:
- Issue, update, and manage purchase orders in accordance with approved requisitions and procurement policies
- Monitor PO status, delivery schedules, and supplier acknowledgments to ensure on-time fulfilment for pre-production parts
- Maintain accurate PO records and ensure proper documentation throughout the order lifecycle
- Support change management tracking during design phases, coordinating PO updates and revisions as engineering changes occur
- Manage PO updates for raw material adjustments per contracts with suppliers
Education & Experience:
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or related field preferred
- 2+ years of experience in purchasing, procurement, or supply chain operations; candidates with direct fastener or MRO category experience are strongly encouraged to apply
- Experience in a manufacturing or automotive environment strongly preferred
Work Authorization Requirement:
- Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a permanent basis.
- Our Client is unable to offer visa sponsorship at this time.
