Emerge is currently recruiting qualified candidates for a Senior Buyer role in Whitehall, MI for our client, a growing manufacturer and premier employer in the aerospace and industrial sector. The Senior Buyer supports Whitehall campus operations by helping ensure supply continuity, cost effectiveness, and timely execution of procurement activities across assigned facilities. Reporting to the Whitehall Operations Procurement Manager, this role partners closely with internal teams and external suppliers to support production schedules, manage sourcing needs, and drive compliant purchasing decisions. A key part of the position includes coordinating capital purchasing activity and lease-versus-buy evaluations.

Core Responsibilities

• Prepare and issue requests for quotations and proposals based on plant and operational requirements.
• Evaluate supplier quotations and conduct cost comparisons to determine the best overall value considering price, delivery, quality, and supplier capability.
• Negotiate pricing, payment terms, and lead times in support of site objectives.
• Create purchase orders from approved requisitions to meet production, maintenance, operations, and inventory requirements.
• Maintain purchase orders to ensure accuracy of pricing, account coding, and vendor commit dates.
• Track and resolve invoice holds by coordinating with internal stakeholders and suppliers.
• Work with Receiving to reconcile shipment records and supplier documentation.
• Partner with departments such as Shipping, Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, Accounts Payable, and Facilities to address plant issues and support timely resolution.
• Support lease-versus-purchase analysis for a designated portion of production facilities.
• Lead procurement activities related to capital purchases for an assigned segment of production operations.

The successful candidate will demonstrate the following:

• Business Acumen: Understands operational needs from a plant and stakeholder perspective and applies data to support effective execution.
• Relationship Building: Develops and maintains productive working relationships with internal partners and outside suppliers to strengthen collaboration and trust.
• Execution Focus: Manages a demanding workload proactively, stays ahead of priorities, and follows through to completion.
• Communication: Responds promptly, shares information clearly, serves as a liaison between the business and suppliers, and ensures follow-up and accountability.
• Adaptability: Balances changing priorities, manages multiple deadlines, and responds effectively to a wide range of situations and stakeholders.
• Integrity: Demonstrates high ethical standards, accurate reporting, and compliance with company policies, procedures, and audit requirements.
• Problem Solving: Identifies issues quickly, proposes practical solutions, and works cross-functionally to support continuity and best practices.
• Organization: Uses systems and tools effectively, manages deadlines well, plans ahead when possible, and maintains ownership of processes through completion.
• Influence & Negotiation: Works directly with suppliers to secure favorable terms, address performance issues, and represent organizational interests during negotiations.
• Forecasting & Planning: Collaborates with business leaders and internal teams to anticipate future sourcing needs and identify backup supply options when needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Supply Chain, Engineering, or a related field from an accredited institution and at least three (3) years of experience in Procurement, Purchasing, Finance, or Supply Chain
  OR
• High School Diploma or GED from an accredited institution and at least six (6) years of related experience in Procurement, Purchasing, Finance, or Supply Chain
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Employment eligibility verification will be required at hire.
• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.