Procurement Specialist / Buyer
Sanovo Technology USAFull-time | On-site – Plymouth, MI
Role Overview
This role serves as a central procurement function with significant interfaces across the value chain and multiple factories. You will leverage the group’s total purchasing power and synergies to optimize price, delivery performance, quality, and total cost of ownership. The position involves developing and executing purchasing strategies, managin
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g supplier relationships, and driving value creation at both local and group levels while mitigating supply chain risk.
A key focus of the role is the effective management of international shipments, import processes, and tariff/duty exposure to support reliable delivery, cash flow, and cost competitiveness in a global supply base.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Management
• Identify, evaluate, and recommend suppliers for parts, equipment, machinery, services, and materials through market research, RFQs, and supplier site visits.
• Assess suppliers on production capability, quality, delivery performance, financial stability, and overall business criteria; participate in supplier certification activities as needed.
• Develop and implement category-level purchasing strategies (1–3 year horizon) that support cost savings, quality consistency, and supply continuity.
• Build and maintain strong, long-term supplier relationships while reducing supply chain complexity.
• Conduct supplier performance monitoring and proactively escalate risks that could impact production or delivery.
Contracting, Negotiation & Commercial Management
• Prepare, negotiate, and implement strategic and tactical procurement agreements, including pricing, lead times, payment terms, and quality requirements.
• Issue accurate purchase orders and agreements that reflect negotiated terms.
• Negotiate and resolve damage claims, rejections, returns, over-shipments, cancellations, and engineering changes.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and identify opportunities for cost reduction and process efficiency.
International Shipments, Import & Tariff Management
• Manage the end-to-end process for international shipments, including coordination with suppliers, freight forwarders, and customs brokers to ensure timely and cost-effective delivery.
• Ensure compliance with import regulations, customs requirements, and documentation standards.
• Analyze and manage tariff classifications, duty rates, and applicable trade agreements to minimize landed cost and tariff exposure.
• Identify and implement strategies to reduce duty, freight, and total landed cost while maintaining delivery reliability.
• Monitor geopolitical, trade policy, and tariff risks; develop contingency plans to protect supply continuity and cost position.
• Collaborate with logistics and planning teams to optimize shipment schedules, Incoterms, and inventory positioning in support of cash flow and production needs.
Planning, Analysis & Systems
• Maintain accurate lead times and supplier data within the ERP system.
• Prepare spend analyses, market analyses, and benchmarking reports to support category strategies and decision-making.
• Support forecasting and demand planning activities with relevant supplier and market insights.
• Provide parts, equipment, and materials information and resolve supplier-related issues in collaboration with manufacturing and quality teams.
Risk, Quality & Compliance
• Contribute to risk and opportunity management within the supply base.
• Support ISO 9001:2015 requirements through structured supplier evaluation, documentation, and process adherence.
• Mediate and facilitate resolution of quality and delivery discrepancies between suppliers and internal stakeholders.
Key Focus Areas
• Purchasing strategy (1–3 years)
• Supplier management and relationship development
• Risk & opportunity management
• International trade, import compliance, and tariff optimization
• Total cost management and supply chain simplification
• ISO 9001:2015 alignment
Qualificatio