Buyer

Buyer

Job Type: Full Time (Exempt) 

Location: Novi, MI (Metro Detroit)  

Reports to: Supply Chain Director

Work Environment: Fully air-conditioned, climate-controlled production facility  

Brooks Utility Products is America’s oldest electric utility manufacturing company.  2023 marked our 150^th year in business. Founded as EJ Brooks & Company, the business eventually incorporated Meter Devices Company and Ekstrom Industries to build the most comprehensive electric utility product line portfolio available. Today, we are the leading utility manufacturer of seals, locking equipment, adapters, meter sockets, meter-base testing equipment, test switches, and utility enclosures. Our product line focuses on utility safety, security, and productivity. In 2022, Brooks became a part of the Madison Industries family, joining companies such as Holmatro, Task Force Tips, Reelcraft, Tyden Brooks, Big Ass Fans, Broan/Nutone, and Seakeeper.  Along with the entire Madison family of companies, we are on a mission to make the world safer, healthier, and more productive.  

To help support that mission, our Novi plant is a clean, fully air-conditioned, climate-controlled environment that promotes quality work, safety, and productivity year-round. 

Brooks is seeking a highly motivated Buyer to join our Supply Chain team.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Purchase materials, components, and services to meet quality, cost, and delivery goals.
• Develop purchasing strategies for assigned commodities, including cost reviews, cost-reduction initiatives, and continuous process improvements.
• Lead sourcing activities, risk analyses, and supplier approvals, ensuring proper documentation.
• Negotiate pricing, payment terms, delivery schedules, and supply agreements.
• Monitor supplier performance (cost, quality, lead times, and service) and coordinate resolution of issues to avoid production disruptions.
• Partner with Operations, Engineering, and Quality to align supply with production schedules and new product requirements.
• Maintain purchasing records, Bills of Material (BOM), and parameters within ERP/MRP systems.
• Support inventory management initiatives and analyze total landed cost or total cost of ownership (TCO) for key commodities.
• Assist in the development and improvement of procurement processes and systems; support purchasing-related training.
• Prepare and manage spot purchase orders as needed.
• Collaborate with Accounting to resolve invoice discrepancies or receipt issues.
• Ensure compliance with all purchasing policies, ethical standards, and corporate guidelines.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualification and Competencies: 

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, business, finance, engineering, or 5 years working experience as a buyer or in supply chain role.
• Minimum of 3-5 years’ experience as a sourcing specialist and/or buyer with related experience within a business-to-business and/or manufacturing environment.
• Troubleshooting/problem solving/critical thinking skills.
• Willingness to “roll up your sleeves” and be in the details with your team and peers.  Travel: 10%