Confidential Job Posting: Purchasing Manager

Location: Metro Detroit, MI
Employment Type: Full-Time | Direct Hire
Compensation: Competitive Salary Comprehensive Benefits
Industry: Industrial Machinery / Capital Equipment Manufacturing

Lead the Supply Chain Behind World-Class Machinery

Our confidential client is a well-established global manufacturer of custom industrial machinery serving automotive and advanced manufacturing customers around the world.

As production continues to grow, we're looking for an experienced Purchasing Manager to lead procurement operations, strengthen supplier partnerships, and ensure materials arrive on time to support complex machine builds.

If you thrive in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, enjoy building supplier relationships, and want to make a direct impact on production success, we'd love to speak with you.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

• Join a stable and growing industrial machinery manufacturer
• Play a key leadership role supporting custom machine builds
• Work alongside engineering, manufacturing, and executive leadership
• Opportunity to improve purchasing processes and supplier performance
• Excellent benefits package and long-term career growth

What You'll Be Doing

Strategic Purchasing

• Lead daily purchasing activities for production materials, components, tooling, and indirect supplies
• Develop sourcing strategies that support production schedules and company objectives
• Negotiate pricing, lead times, and supplier agreements

Supplier Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with domestic and international suppliers
• Evaluate supplier performance related to quality, delivery, and cost
• Resolve supply chain issues while minimizing production disruptions

Production Support

• Work closely with Production Planning, Engineering, Manufacturing, and Inventory teams
• Ensure materials are available to support machine builds and customer delivery schedules
• Monitor purchasing priorities and adjust based on changing production demands

Inventory & ERP Management

• Maintain accurate purchasing information within the ERP/MRP system
• Monitor inventory levels and recommend improvements to inventory management
• Generate purchasing reports and support forecasting activities

Leadership

• Lead and develop purchasing personnel
• Establish best practices and continuous improvement initiatives
• Support company goals related to cost reduction, supplier development, and operational excellence

What We're Looking For

Required Experience

• 5 years of purchasing or procurement experience within industrial manufacturing
• Experience purchasing for industrial machinery, capital equipment, automation, machine tool, or engineered products
• ERP/MRP system experience
• Strong negotiation and supplier management skills
• Excellent organizational and communication abilities
• Ability to prioritize multiple projects in a fast-paced manufacturing environment

Preferred Qualifications

Candidates with backgrounds in any of the following industries are highly encouraged to apply:

• Industrial Machinery
• Machine Tool Manufacturing
• Automation
• Capital Equipment
• Automotive Manufacturing
• Precision Manufacturing
• Robotics
• Heavy Equipment
• Custom Equipment Manufacturing

Transferable Job Titles

If your current title isn't Purchasing Manager , we'd still like to hear from you if you've held positions such as:

• Senior Buyer
• Purchasing Supervisor
• Commodity Manager
• Strategic Sourcing Manager
• Procurement Manager
• Supply Chain Manager
• Materials Manager
• Lead Buyer
• Senior Purchasing Agent

Why You'll Love Working Here

✔ Competitive compensation

✔ Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits

✔ 401(k) with company contribution

✔ Paid vacation and holidays

✔ Stable company with continued investment and growth

✔ Collaborative engineering-driven culture

✔ Opportunity to make a visible impact on company success

Confidential Application Notice

This opportunity is being managed confidentially by an external recruiting partner.

Qualified candidates will receive additional company information during the interview process.

Interview Process

Qualified candidates will be contacted to schedule an initial screening. Due to the importance of this role, interviews will begin immediately for qualified applicants.

Ideal Candidate

We're looking for someone who understands that purchasing isn't just about placing orders—it's about ensuring the right materials arrive at the right time to keep production moving. If you've supported complex manufacturing operations, enjoy negotiating with suppliers, and thrive in an industrial machinery environment, this could be an excellent next step in your career.