Buyer | Plainwell, MI

Salary Range: $61,000 - $88,000 depending on experience

Are you a meticulous professional with a passion for strategic sourcing and building strong supplier relationships? The Pivot Group Network, a West Michigan manufacturing-focused recruiting group, is dedicated to fostering meaningful relationships and supporting career growth. We are collaborating with companies in Plainwell seeking experienced Buyers.

We are building our network of talent in this field across West Michigan and the broader manufacturing region Pivot Group Network serves. Our partner companies may or may not have an immediate opening for this exact role today, but we actively look for skilled professionals in the regions where they operate. If there is alignment now or in the near future, we reach out.

The Opportunity

We are working with companies in Plainwell that are adding Buyers to their teams. These organizations value quality over speed in hiring. By connecting with us, you position yourself for opportunities that align with what you're looking for.

Key Responsibilities

• Negotiate pricing, terms, and delivery schedules with suppliers to optimize cost and quality.
• Source and evaluate new suppliers to expand the vendor base and mitigate supply chain risks.
• Collaborate with engineering and production teams to define material specifications and ensure manufacturability.
• Manage inventory levels to support production demands while minimizing holding costs.
• Monitor market trends and commodity prices to anticipate supply chain disruptions and identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Resolve supplier performance issues, including quality discrepancies and delivery delays.

Recommended Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in a manufacturing purchasing role.
• Proven ability to negotiate contracts and manage supplier relationships.
• Strong understanding of ERP systems and their application in procurement.
• Experience with lean manufacturing principles and their impact on supply chain.
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field.

Bonus Qualifications

• Experience with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Plex)
• Certification in supply chain management (e.g., CSCP, CPIM, CPSM)
• Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing principles and their application to procurement
• Proven ability to negotiate complex contracts and manage supplier relationships for critical components
• Multilingual, particularly in languages relevant to the company's global supply base

Job Titles That Should Apply

Procurement Specialist,Purchasing Agent,Supply Chain Analyst,Sourcing Specialist,Junior Buyer,Senior Buyer,Category Manager,Procurement Officer,Materials Buyer,Strategic Buyer

Why The Pivot Group Network

The Pivot Group Network was founded by manufacturing professionals who've been on both sides of the hiring process. Our clients are strategic—they partner with us because they want real insight into their roles and the people filling them, not a stack of resumes. We focus on match-driven placements built around what actually matters: Commute, Compensation, Culture, and Career trajectory. Learn more at https://www.thepivotgroup.org.

If you're ready to take the next step in your career and connect with a firm that values fit over speed, we invite you to reach out at https://www.thepivotgroup.org. The Pivot Group Network offers resources to support your search—market insights, resume feedback, and interview preparation. As our partnerships grow, we'll reach out with opportunities aligned with your goals. Thank you for considering this approach to career advancement.