Buyer/Purchasing Analyst – Lighting - Auburn Hills, MI

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Job Overview
The Buyer / Purchasing Analyst will support the Purchasing team by providing analytical, operational, and sourcing support across resourcing activities, team performance analytics, and selected low-complexity sourcing initiatives. This role is ideal for a professional who is detail-oriented, data-driven, and eager to build purchasing knowledge while helping the team make informed, timely, and effective business decisions. 

The position will act as a bridge between purchasing execution and data insight, supporting buyers and leadership with accurate reporting, supplier and sourcing documentation, market research, and day-to-day coordination. The role will also manage small sourcing activities under guidance, helping ensure compliance with purchasing processes, cost objectives, supplier engagement expectations, and business timelines. 

Key Responsibilities:
Purchasing Analytics and Reporting 

• Develop, maintain, and update purchasing reports, dashboards, and trackers to support team visibility, decision-making, and follow-up
• Analyze purchasing data, supplier information, sourcing status, resourcing activity, cost inputs, and performance indicators to identify trends, gaps, risks, and opportunities
• Prepare clear summaries and insights for buyers, managers, and leadership, translating data into practical recommendations or next steps
• Support recurring business reviews, team meetings, and leadership updates by collecting inputs, validating data accuracy, and preparing materials
• Monitor team workload, sourcing pipeline, resourcing actions, and key deliverables to help improve prioritization and execution discipline

• Support buyers and category teams with resourcing activities, including data collection, supplier comparisons, documentation, business case preparation, and approval follow-up
• Coordinate inputs from internal stakeholders such as Engineering, Supply Chain, Finance, Supplier Quality, Manufacturing, and Program teams as needed
• Track action items, milestones, supplier responses, and open issues to ensure timely progress against sourcing and resourcing objectives
• Maintain accurate records of sourcing decisions, supplier information, quotes, approvals, and supporting documentation in accordance with company procedures
• Help identify process improvements, reporting enhancements, or standard work opportunities to increase team efficiency and consistency

• Manage low-complexity sourcing events or assigned sourcing workstreams under the guidance of a Buyer or Purchasing Manager 
• Conduct supplier research, request and organize quotes, compare commercial inputs, and summarize sourcing options 
• Support supplier communication related to quote requests, documentation needs, timing, and clarification of basic requirements
• Assist with cost comparison, negotiation preparation, award recommendations, and implementation follow-up for assigned activities
• Ensure sourcing activities follow purchasing policies, delegation of authority, documentation standards, and compliance expectations

• Build effective working relationships with internal customers, buyers, suppliers, and cross-functional partners
• Communicate clearly and proactively on status, risks, data needs, and upcoming deadlines
• Help resolve routine purchasing questions by gathering information, escalating issues appropriately, and keeping stakeholders informed
• Demonstrate a customer-focused mindset while balancing cost, quality, timing, compliance, and business needs 

• Analytical Thinking: Uses data to understand issues, identify opportunities, and support recommendations
• Execution Discipline: Follows through on commitments, tracks details, and keeps work moving forward
• Business Acumen: Understands how purchasing decisions impact cost, timing, quality, and operational performance
• Collaboration: Works effectively with buyers, suppliers, and cross-functional partners to achieve shared objectives
• Continuous Improvement: Looks for ways to simplify reporting, improve processes, and increase team effectiveness
• Learning Agility: Demonstrates curiosity, openness to feedback, and a desire to grow within the purchasing function

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Finance, Engineering, Data Analytics, or a related field 
• Ability to analyze data, identify patterns, summarize findings, and present information in a clear and practical way. 
• Strong attention to detail, organization, follow-up, and ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously. 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work effectively across functions and levels. 
• High level of integrity and ability to handle confidential or sensitive business information appropriately.

• Experience in purchasing, supply chain, analytics, finance, project coordination, or a related business function 
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel; experience with PowerPoint and reporting tools such as Power BI 
• Basic understanding of purchasing, sourcing, supplier management, or supply chain concepts