COMMODITY BUYER – METALS, NOVI, MICHIGAN, USA – #5887

IN DEMAND Recruitment & Consulting Inc.is currently assisting our client in their search for an experienced COMMIDITY BUYER – METALS to support purchasing activities across multiple automotive manufacturing facilities in the United States and Mexico.

Based in Novi, Michigan, this role will have responsibility for metal commodities supporting the Novi operation as well as two manufacturing facilities in Mexico.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced automotive purchasing professional who brings strong knowledge of steel, aluminum, stamping and forging, enjoys negotiating with suppliers, and understands the importance of balancing cost, quality, delivery and continuity of supply within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Reporting to the Regional Purchasing Director, the Commodity Buyer will manage supplier relationships, lead commercial negotiations, support cost-reduction initiatives and work cross-functionally with Quality, Logistics, Finance and Project teams to ensure purchasing strategies support plant and business objectives.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

As the Commodity Buyer – Metals, you will take ownership of assigned metal commodities and supplier relationships while supporting multiple manufacturing locations.

You will:

• Manage purchasing activities for steel, aluminum, stamping, forging and related metal commodities.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, including day-to-day communication, commercial discussions and issue resolution.
• Lead negotiations involving pricing, payment terms, delivery conditions and commercial agreements within established corporate guidelines.
• Ensure continuity of supply to support production requirements across assigned manufacturing facilities.
• Monitor and evaluate supplier performance across quality, cost, delivery and overall performance (QCDP).
• Identify supplier performance issues and drive corrective or improvement actions when required.
• Support and implement cost-reduction and purchasing improvement initiatives.
• Partner with suppliers and internal stakeholders to identify opportunities for commercial and operational improvements.
• Work closely with Quality, Logistics, Finance and Project teams to support smooth plant operations and program execution.
• Ensure purchasing activities comply with established corporate purchasing processes, policies and standards.
• Support regional and corporate purchasing strategies while addressing the day-to-day needs of the manufacturing operations.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business, Engineering or a related discipline.
• Minimum 5 years of purchasing experience within the automotive industry.
• Strong knowledge and purchasing experience involving metal commodities and associated supply markets.
• Experience with steel, aluminum, stamping and/or forging strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated supplier relationship and supply-base management experience.
• Strong negotiation and contract management capabilities.
• Experience evaluating and improving supplier performance related to quality, cost and delivery.
• Strong commercial judgment with a demonstrated focus on cost reduction and operational performance.
• Proficiency with SAP and Microsoft Office.
• Strong communication, collaboration and relationship-building skills.
• Effective problem-solving skills with the perseverance to resolve complex supplier and supply-chain issues.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities across multiple manufacturing locations.
• Results-oriented mindset with a strong understanding of QCDP – Quality, Cost, Delivery and Performance.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate is a hands-on automotive Commodity Buyer who understands metals and knows how to manage suppliers in a demanding manufacturing environment.

You are equally comfortable negotiating commercial terms with suppliers, addressing an urgent production supply issue, analyzing supplier performance, and working with plant and corporate stakeholders on longer-term purchasing strategies.

Most importantly, you understand that purchasing within automotive manufacturing goes beyond obtaining the lowest price. You know how to balance commercial performance, supplier capability, quality, delivery reliability and continuity of supply while developing supplier relationships that support the business.

WHY CONSIDER THIS OPPORTUNITY?

This position offers the opportunity to take meaningful ownership of a strategically important commodity portfolio within an established automotive manufacturing organization.

You will gain exposure across U.S. and Mexican manufacturing operations, work directly with regional leadership and key suppliers, and have the opportunity to make a measurable impact on supplier performance, cost reduction and supply-chain effectiveness.

For an automotive purchasing professional with strong metals expertise who enjoys negotiation, supplier management and working closely with manufacturing operations, this is an excellent opportunity to continue building a career within a global automotive environment.

Qualified and interested applicants are encouraged to apply today in confidence by submitting their résumé as an MS Word document to info@indemand.ca.

ONLY QUALIFIED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED.

Disclosure of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use

IN DEMAND Recruitment & Consulting Inc. may use artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled tools to support certain aspects of our recruitment process, including the screening and assessment of applications. These tools are used to assist with organizing, reviewing, and evaluating candidate information and do not replace human judgment or decision-making.