Buyer - St. Johns Area

Buyer | St. Johns, MI

Salary Range: $60,000 - $87,000 depending on experience

Are you a detail-oriented professional with a passion for strategic sourcing and building strong supplier relationships? The Pivot Group is dedicated to fostering meaningful relationships and supporting career advancement. We are collaborating with leading companies in St. Johns seeking experienced Buyers.

The Opportunity

We partner with manufacturers across St. Johns seeking Buyers who want more than a lateral move. These companies hire intentionally, and we connect them with professionals ready for roles that fit.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify, evaluate, and select qualified suppliers for raw materials and components.
• Negotiate pricing, terms, and delivery schedules to achieve cost savings and favorable conditions.
• Issue and manage purchase orders, ensuring timely and accurate delivery of materials.
• Collaborate with production and planning teams to optimize inventory levels and prevent stockouts.
• Monitor supplier performance, manage relationships, and resolve supply chain issues.
• Drive continuous improvement and cost reduction initiatives within the procurement process.
• Ensure all purchased materials comply with quality standards and company specifications.

Recommended Qualifications

• 2+ years of direct purchasing experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) for procurement functions.
• Demonstrated negotiation and supplier relationship management skills.
• Ability to interpret technical specifications, blueprints, or engineering drawings.
• Strong understanding of supply chain principles and inventory management.

Bonus Qualifications

• Experience with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems such as SAP, Oracle, or NetSuite.
• Professional certification (e.g., CPSM, CPIM, CSCP).
• Proficiency in data analysis tools (e.g., advanced Excel, Power BI, Tableau).
• Understanding of Lean manufacturing principles and their application to supply chain.
• Fluency in a second language relevant to international suppliers.

Job Titles That Should Apply

Buyer, Purchasing Agent, Procurement Specialist, Sourcing Specialist, Purchaser, Procurement Officer, Category Buyer, Materials Buyer

Why Pivot Group

The Pivot Group was founded by manufacturing professionals who've been on both sides of the hiring process. Our clients are strategic—they partner with us because they want real insight into their roles and the people filling them, not a stack of resumes. We focus on match-driven placements built around what actually matters: Commute, Compensation, Culture, and Career trajectory.

If you're ready to take the next step in your career and connect with a firm that values fit over speed, we invite you to reach out. The Pivot Group offers resources to support your search—market insights, resume feedback, and interview preparation. As our partnerships grow, we'll reach out with opportunities aligned with your goals. Thank you for considering this approach to career advancement.