Procurement Buyer

Location: Sterling Heights, Michigan

Employment Type: Contract | Hours: Full-Time; occasional additional hours as required

Pay Range: $52.00-54.00 per hour (depending on experience)

Perks & Benefits: Competitive compensation, professional development opportunities, experience supporting major defense programs, and potential consideration for future full-time employment.

About the Role

CPI is seeking an experienced Procurement Buyer to support our client, a leading defense industry manufacturer specializing in advanced military vehicle systems. In this role, you will manage supplier and subcontractor relationships, oversee purchasing activities, negotiate contracts, and ensure the timely delivery of materials and services to support critical defense programs. This is a 10–15-month contract assignment with the potential for consideration for a full-time procurement position following an evaluation.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage supplier and subcontractor relationships, including fixed-price and cost-reimbursement purchase orders and subcontracts.
• Analyze material requirements using Oracle and Material Requirements Planning (MRP) systems to support procurement activities.
• Prepare and issue Requests for Quotations (RFQs), Requests for Proposals (RFPs), and Requests for Information (RFIs).
• Conduct cost and price analyses, evaluate supplier proposals, and perform fact-finding activities.
• Negotiate supplier pricing, contract terms, and proposals to meet program requirements and cost objectives.
• Prepare, issue, administer, and monitor purchase orders to ensure supplier compliance and on-time delivery.
• Manage subcontract costs, supplier performance, and procurement schedules to support program milestones.
• Serve as the primary point of contact between suppliers, subcontractors, internal departments, and program management teams.
• Resolve supplier-related quality, engineering, design, delivery, and payment issues.
• Coordinate supplier source selection activities and procurement evaluations.
• Ensure purchasing activities comply with applicable procurement laws, regulations, and company policies.
• Conduct supplier communications, performance reviews, and on-site program evaluations as needed.
• Monitor material planning and supplier lead times to ensure purchase orders are placed within required schedules.
• Maintain accurate procurement records, communicate program status, and provide timely updates to stakeholders.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related business discipline.
• Experience using Oracle systems and associated procurement applications.
• Strong understanding of procurement processes, purchasing systems, and Material Requirements Planning (MRP).
• Experience conducting cost and price analyses, including preparing supporting documentation and written evaluations.
• Proven negotiation skills involving supplier pricing, proposals, and purchasing agreements.
• Strong business acumen, analytical abilities, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple purchasing priorities, deadlines, and supplier relationships simultaneously.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, including effective management of purchasing workloads.
• Ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams to achieve procurement objectives and performance metrics.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure, meet deadlines, and communicate procurement status to stakeholders.
• Willingness to travel domestically and potentially internationally as required.
• Ability to work outside regular business hours when necessary to address critical program issues.
• Must be a U.S. citizen due to government contract requirements.
• Ability to obtain a U.S. security clearance if required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with a concentration in Supply Chain Management.
• Experience supporting procurement or subcontract management within the defense, aerospace, or government contracting industries.
• Experience administering fixed-price and cost-reimbursement subcontracts.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and internet-based business applications.
• Experience coordinating supplier source selection, contract compliance, and subcontractor performance.
• Familiarity with complex manufacturing environments and procurement activities supporting large-scale programs.

Additional Details

• Contract Duration: 10–15 months, followed by an evaluation to determine eligibility to apply for a full-time procurement position.
• Travel: Up to 20% travel may be required, including occasional domestic and possible international travel.
• Work Schedule: Must be flexible to work outside standard business hours when critical issues arise.
• Security Clearance: Must be eligible to obtain a U.S. security clearance if required.
• Citizenship: U.S. citizenship is mandatory due to government contract requirements.
• Work Environment: Collaborative, deadline-driven procurement environment supporting advanced military vehicle programs.

Why Join CPI?

• Exciting, research-driven projects with real-world impact.
• Opportunities for ongoing learning and career development.
• Competitive perks and incentives tailored to each contract position.

About Us

Contract Professionals, Inc. (CPI), founded by an Air Force veteran, is an award-winning talent solutions company connecting top talent with leading employers in defense, aerospace, and mobility industries.

https://www.cpijobs.com/