What are the responsibilities and job description for the Sr. Purchasing Specialist (Raw Materials) position at LG Energy Solution Michigan, Inc.?
Title: Sr. Specialist, Purchasing (Raw Materials)
Department: PURCHDD
Report To: Manager, Purchasing
Location: Holland, MI
Work Arrangement: On-site
Employment Type: Full-Time
Employment Classification: Exempt
Schedule: Monday – Friday 8am- 5pm | Schedule may vary based on business needs. Additional compensation opportunities may be available.
Benefits: LG Energy Solution offers a competitive total rewards package, including 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for eligible employees, paid time off, a 401(k) with company match, and additional voluntary benefits. Benefit eligibility and plan details are subject to the applicable benefit plans.
LG Energy Solution Michigan, Inc. is a global leader in advanced lithium-ion battery technology, delivering innovative battery solutions for electric vehicles (EVs) and Energy Storage Systems (ESS). With expanding operations across the United States, we are committed to innovation, quality, safety, and sustainability while powering the future of clean energy. Join our team and help shape the next generation of advanced battery technology.www.lgenergymi.com
Position Summary:
The Senior Specialist, Purchasing (Raw Materials) is responsible for the strategic sourcing, procurement, analysis, supplier management, and cost optimization of raw materials required to support manufacturing operations. This position independently manages complex commodities and supplier relationships, analyzes purchasing and market data, evaluates global sourcing opportunities, negotiates commercial terms, and ensures material availability while balancing cost, quality, delivery, inventory, and business requirements.
The Senior Specialist serves as a subject matter resource for raw material purchasing, independently resolves complex supply and supplier issues, and provides data-driven recommendations to management. This position partners with Production, Planning, Quality, Engineering, Logistics, Finance, and global teams to improve supplier performance, mitigate supply risk, identify cost opportunities, and support strategic purchasing objectives.
Essential Responsibilities:
- Independently manage assigned raw material commodities and strategic supplier relationships to support production and business requirements.
- Develop and execute sourcing strategies for assigned commodities based on cost, supply risk, market conditions, supplier capabilities, and business requirements.
- Source, evaluate, qualify, and recommend domestic and global suppliers for raw materials and related commodities.
- Lead Request for Quotation (RFQ) activities and perform comparative analysis of supplier pricing, capabilities, capacity, lead times, risk, and commercial terms.
- Lead supplier negotiations related to pricing, lead times, payment terms, supply agreements, and other commercial conditions.
- Create, review, and manage purchase orders in accordance with material requirements and purchasing procedures.
- Manage raw material procurement based on production schedules, forecasts, inventory requirements, supplier capacity, and lead times.
- Analyze material demand, inventory, supplier capacity, and delivery performance to proactively identify shortages and continuity-of-supply risks.
- Develop and coordinate countermeasures for significant material shortages, supply risks, and supplier performance issues.
- Lead resolution of complex supplier issues involving cost, quality, delivery, material availability, capacity, or commercial requirements.
- Evaluate supplier performance and identify corrective actions and improvement opportunities related to cost, quality, delivery, service, and responsiveness.
- Review and manage supplier agreements, commercial terms, and service contracts within assigned authority.
- Analyze raw material pricing, purchasing spend, cost drivers, market conditions, and supplier data to identify cost reduction and sourcing opportunities.
- Develop cost, spend, supplier performance, and procurement analyses to support purchasing strategies and management decision-making.
- Identify trends, risks, and opportunities within assigned commodities and provide recommendations to Purchasing management.
- Partner with Production, Planning, Quality, Engineering, Logistics, Finance, and other functions to resolve material and purchasing issues and support business requirements.
- Coordinate with Accounting and suppliers to resolve complex invoice, pricing, and payment discrepancies.
- Support supplier qualification, registration, and onboarding within company procurement systems.
- Prepare and present purchasing reports, supplier performance results, spend analysis, cost information, and procurement metrics to management as required.
- Lead or support global sourcing, localization, alternative sourcing, cost reduction, and supplier development initiatives.
- Identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities related to procurement processes, supplier performance, cost, inventory, and supply continuity.
- Serve as a subject matter resource and provide purchasing guidance to less experienced team members.
- Maintain accurate purchasing records and documentation in accordance with company policies, procedures, approval requirements, and internal controls.
- Maintain cleanliness at work-site in accordance with 5S3R Standards:
- Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain
- Right Location, Right Quantity, Right Container
- Perform other duties as assigned
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Purchasing, Logistics, Finance, Engineering, or a related field required, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
- Demonstrated experience in purchasing, procurement, strategic sourcing, supply chain, or supplier management within a manufacturing environment.
- Demonstrated experience independently managing raw material commodities and supplier relationships.
- Experience developing and executing sourcing or commodity strategies.
- Demonstrated experience leading RFQs, evaluating supplier proposals, and negotiating pricing and commercial terms.
- Experience identifying and resolving complex supplier performance, material availability, pricing, delivery, or supply-related issues.
- Demonstrated experience analyzing purchasing data, raw material costs, supplier performance, spend, and market information to support business decisions.
- Experience identifying supply risks and developing appropriate sourcing or supplier countermeasures.
- Experience using ERP, MRP, procurement, or purchasing systems.
- Demonstrated ability to independently manage complex purchasing assignments and provide recommendations to management with minimal direction.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration (MBA), Operations, Finance, Engineering, or a related discipline preferred.
- 7 years of experience in purchasing, procurement, strategic sourcing, supply chain, supplier management, material planning, inventory control, manufacturing, or a related field.
- Experience sourcing and managing suppliers within a global supply chain.
- Experience using SAP or a similar ERP system.
- Experience with commodity strategy development, cost modeling, cost reduction, supplier development, or market analysis.
- Experience supporting supplier localization, alternative sourcing, or supply-risk mitigation initiatives.
- Experience presenting purchasing analysis and recommendations to management or global stakeholders.
- Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM), Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), or similar supply chain/procurement certification preferred.
Skills & Competencies:
- Advanced analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills.
- Strong negotiation and commercial decision-making skills.
- Strong business judgment and ability to make independent recommendations.
- Strong organization, prioritization, and time management skills.
- Effective verbal, written, and presentation skills.
- Ability to manage multiple complex priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Ability to influence and build effective relationships with suppliers and cross-functional stakeholders.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook, and applicable purchasing systems.
- Strong attention to detail, accountability, and follow-through.
Work Environment & Physical Requirements:
- Primarily works in an office environment with regular interaction with manufacturing, warehouse, and production areas.
- Requires prolonged periods of sitting and computer use, with periodic standing and walking throughout the facility.
- Must be able to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) when entering designated manufacturing or warehouse areas.
- May require domestic and international travel to support supplier evaluations, negotiations, sourcing activities, and other business needs.
- May require work outside normal business hours to support suppliers, production requirements, Corporate Headquarters, and global teams.
Equal Opportunity Employer
LG Energy Solution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
LG Energy Solution provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities as required by applicable law.
Job Description Disclaimer
This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this position. It is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all responsibilities, duties, or qualifications. Responsibilities may change based on business needs.