Buyer - Purchasing - Full Time
LM ManufacturingBuyer – Indirect Procurement & CapitalDepartment: FinanceReports To: Plant ControllerFLSA Status: ExemptEmployment Status: Full-Time, SalariedWork Arrangement: On-Site
Position Summary
LM Manufacturing, LLC is a Tier 1 automotive supplier responsible for manufacturing complete seat systems for the Ford Bronco and Ford Ranger.
The Buyer – Indirect Procurement & Capital is responsible for leading
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the competitive sourcing, procurement, contract management, and financial analysis of the Company's indirect expenditures. The position has primary responsibility for approximately $5–7 million in annual variable overhead (VOH) and indirect spend, in addition to significant capital expenditures associated with new product launches, plant improvements, and ongoing operations.
Reporting to the Plant Controller, the Buyer serves as the primary commercial purchasing resource for indirect goods and services across the facility. This position partners closely with department managers to understand operational and technical requirements while independently managing the commercial sourcing process, including supplier identification, competitive bidding, negotiations, financial analysis, and sourcing recommendations.
The Buyer is expected to challenge historical purchasing practices, increase competition within the supplier base, identify measurable cost-reduction opportunities, strengthen purchasing controls and separation of duties, and provide senior leadership with clear, data-driven sourcing recommendations.
Production raw materials are not within the scope of this position, as production material sourcing is directed by LM Manufacturing's customer.
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
Strategic Sourcing and Procurement
Lead competitive sourcing activities for indirect goods and services, including capital equipment, MRO materials and equipment, tooling and fixtures, IT hardware and software, facility maintenance and construction, temporary labor, professional services, safety and PPE, office supplies, freight and logistics, utilities, janitorial services, security, landscaping, and other plant expenditures.
Identify, evaluate, and develop new suppliers while maintaining effective commercial relationships with existing vendors.
Negotiate supplier pricing, payment terms, commercial terms, service levels, and other conditions to achieve the best overall value for LM Manufacturing.
Challenge historical purchasing practices and existing supplier relationships when competitive alternatives may provide improved cost, service, quality, or commercial terms.
Develop detailed bid analyses and sourcing recommendation packages for presentation to senior leadership for final sourcing decisions.
Create, release, and maintain purchase orders within SAP in accordance with established authorization and procurement requirements.
Respond to plant purchasing needs with appropriate urgency while maintaining competitive sourcing standards and internal controls.
Capital Procurement
Lead the commercial sourcing process for capital equipment and projects from initial RFQ through negotiation and sourcing recommendation.
Partner with Engineering, Maintenance, Operations, and other stakeholders to ensure technical requirements and specifications are clearly defined prior to supplier solicitation.
Develop comprehensive commercial comparisons of competing capital proposals, considering purchase price, installation costs, operating costs, payment terms, timing, and other relevant total-cost factors.
Support ROI, payback, and other financial analyses associated with proposed capital investments.
Negotiate commercial terms and coordinate contracts and purchase orders following final sourcing approval.
Support capital sourcing associated with new product launches, plant improvements, and other major projects.
Contract and Supplier Management
Maintain a centralized repository and tracking system for vendor contracts and commercial agreements.
Proactively monitor contrac