ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Senior Purchasing Manager Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Blue Bird

Senior Purchasing Manager

Troy, MI · On-site

JOB SUMMARY: Reporting to the Director of Purchasing, the Senior Purchasing Manager is responsible for leading the procurement and category management strategy for Powertrain and Drivetrain ...

Blue Bird

Senior Purchasing Manager

Troy, MI · Remote

JOB SUMMARY: Reporting to the Director of Purchasing, the Senior Purchasing Manager is responsible for leading the procurement and category management strategy for Powertrain and Drivetrain ...

Connect Force

Purchasing Manager ( Urgent Hire)

Livonia, MI · On-site

$100K - $110K/yr

Senior Buyer * Purchasing Supervisor * Commodity Manager * Strategic Sourcing Manager * Procurement Manager * Supply Chain Manager * Materials Manager * Lead Buyer * Senior Purchasing Agent Why You ...

Connect Force

Purchasing Manager ( Urgent Hire)

Novi, MI

$100K - $110K/yr

Senior Buyer * Purchasing Supervisor * Commodity Manager * Strategic Sourcing Manager * Procurement Manager * Supply Chain Manager * Materials Manager * Lead Buyer * Senior Purchasing Agent Why You ...

iMBranded

Be Seen First

Senior Buyer

Troy, MI · On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

The Senior Buyer is responsible for leading strategic sourcing and category management within assigned areas, evolving from transactional purchasing to full category ownership. This role drives ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsPurchasing JobsSenior Purchasing Manager JobsSenior Purchasing Manager Jobs in Michigan

Senior Purchasing Manager information

See Michigan salary details

$35.3K

$73.4K

$111.1K

How much do senior purchasing manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior purchasing manager in Michigan is $73,390.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $56,700.00 and $87,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges senior purchasing managers face when managing supplier relationships?

Senior Purchasing Managers often navigate complex supplier relationships that require balancing cost, quality, and reliability. Common challenges include negotiating favorable terms while maintaining strong partnerships, managing risks such as supply chain disruptions, and ensuring suppliers meet compliance and sustainability standards. Effective communication, strategic thinking, and proactive risk management are essential to address these issues and achieve organizational procurement goals.

Is a senior purchasing manager a stressful job?

A senior purchasing manager role can be stressful due to responsibilities such as managing supplier relationships, negotiating contracts, and ensuring timely procurement within budget constraints. The job often requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to handle multiple priorities under tight deadlines.

How much does a senior purchasing manager earn?

A senior purchasing manager typically earns between $80,000 and $130,000 annually, depending on experience, industry, and location. They often have advanced negotiation skills and may oversee procurement teams or use specialized software to manage purchasing processes.

What is a senior purchasing manager?

Senior Purchasing Managers are professionals responsible for overseeing the procurement process within an organization. They develop purchasing strategies, negotiate contracts with suppliers, and ensure that goods and services are acquired at the best possible price and quality. Additionally, they often manage a team of buyers or procurement specialists, monitor supplier performance, and work closely with other departments to align purchasing activities with organizational goals. Their role is crucial in optimizing costs, maintaining inventory, and ensuring the smooth operation of the supply chain.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior purchasing manager?

To thrive as a Senior Purchasing Manager, you need expertise in procurement, vendor negotiation, supply chain management, and typically a bachelor’s degree in business or a related field. Familiarity with procurement software (such as SAP Ariba or Oracle), contract management systems, and relevant certifications like CPSM or CPM is highly valuable. Strong leadership, analytical thinking, and effective communication skills set top performers apart in this role. These skills are critical for optimizing costs, ensuring reliable supply chains, and leading teams to achieve organizational purchasing goals.
What are popular job titles related to Senior Purchasing Manager jobs in Michigan? For Senior Purchasing Manager jobs in Michigan, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Senior Purchasing Manager jobs in Michigan look for? The top searched job categories for Senior Purchasing Manager jobs in Michigan are:
What cities in Michigan are hiring for Senior Purchasing Manager jobs? Cities in Michigan with the most Senior Purchasing Manager job openings:
Senior Purchasing Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Purchasing Manager job openings in Michigan as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 67% In-person, and 33% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $73,390 per year, or $35.3 per hour.

Senior Purchasing Manager

Blue Bird

Troy, MI • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 16 days ago

Job description

About Blue Bird Corporation
Blue Bird (NASDAQ: BLBD) is recognized as a technology leader and innovator of school buses since its founding in 1927. Our dedicated team members design, engineer and manufacture school buses with a singular focus on safety, reliability, and durability. School buses carry the most precious cargo in the world - 25 million children twice a day - making them the most trusted mode of student transportation. The company is the proven leader in low- and zero-emission school buses with more than 25,000 propane, natural gas, and electric powered buses sold. Blue Bird is transforming the student transportation industry through cleaner energy solutions. For more information on Blue Bird's complete product and service portfolio, visit www.blue-bird.com.
JOB SUMMARY:
Reporting to the Director of Purchasing, the Senior Purchasing Manager is responsible for leading the procurement and category management strategy for Powertrain and Drivetrain commodities to ensure the timely acquisition of goods and services that support business continuity, product quality, and cost competitiveness. This role requires a strong, self-starting leader with deep understanding of commercial realities and market dynamics within the automotive/commercial vehicle supply base, exceptional negotiation capability, and the ability to partner effectively with Engineering and internal stakeholders.
This position will lead and develop a team of purchasing/category professionals while operating with a high level of autonomy within our remote office in Troy, MI. The role is accountable for supplier strategy, sourcing, contracting, cost optimization, risk mitigation, and supplier performance across the full scope of assigned spend. The Senior Purchasing Manager will also provide updates through structured quarterly reviews with senior stakeholders, including Engineering alignment on category strategy, supplier performance, and long-range plans.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Lead a team of purchasing category specialists; set priorities, coach performance, and develop capability within an autonomous environment
  • Own and drive full-scope category strategy for assigned commodities (Powertrain and Drivetrain), delivering superior quality, cost, and delivery performance
  • Partner closely with Engineering and cross-functional stakeholders to align category strategy with product, cost, and manufacturing objectives; provide updates and outcomes in quarterly review cadence
  • Lead and recommend supplier selection and manage the preferred supplier list for assigned categories
  • Govern quote management, market testing, and sourcing events to ensure best-value outcomes
  • Deploy dual/multi-sourcing strategies to ensure continuity of supply for key products and mitigate supply risk
  • Establish and maintain relationships across critical suppliers; serve as an escalation point for performance, risk, and commercial matters
  • Own all commercial aspects of category relationships; lead contract negotiations, pricing models, and commercial terms
  • Develop Annual Operating Plan and Long-Range Strategic Plan for the full scope of spend within assigned categories
  • Govern supplier repricing, purchased price variance (PPV), and additional purchase part costs; ensure visibility, action plans, and results
  • Drive productivity ideation and implementation (cost-out, value engineering support, supplier development, and supply chain optimization)
  • Demonstrate supplier development experience from new product development through full rate production (launch readiness, APQP/PPAP support as applicable, and steady-state performance improvement)

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
  • Extensive experience in procurement/category management with automotive or commercial vehicle supply base
  • Strong understanding of supplier market dynamics and commercial realities (pricing drivers, cost structures, contract levers, risk indicators, and negotiation strategy)
  • Demonstrated experience leading and developing teams; ability to perform independently and drive results in a remote/lean office environment
  • Ability to accomplish financial analysis, supplier selection, and approval processes (total cost analysis, PPV, cost breakdowns, and business case development)
  • Demonstrated supplier development experience from new product development to full rate production
  • Project Management and/or Contract Management experience
  • Professional Certifications in Project/Supply Chain/Procurement/Contract Management (preferred where applicable)
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills; ability to provide concise executive-level updates and lead structured quarterly reviews
  • Ability to perform in high-stress, fast-paced environment
  • Proficiency in MS Office applications
  • Experience with Six Sigma and Lean Tools

EDUCATION AND EXPEREINCE:
  • Bachelor's degree in a business or engineering related field
  • Minimum of 10+ years' experience working in purchasing/procurement
  • Minimum of 3 years' experience leading a team
  • All candidates must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
  • MBA, preferred
  • Automotive/Commercial vehicle experience preferred

WE VALUE
  • Ability to anticipate and understand customer needs and provide guidance;
  • Excellent interpersonal and customer relationship skills to handle difficult and sensitive matters;
  • Strong project management skills. Exposure to difficult or complex projects a plus;
  • Ability to influence stakeholders;
  • Effective communication and ability to communicate complex compensation details in a clear manner;
  • Flexible workspaces and work hours that help you unleash the best you;
  • Working in a collaborative team and balancing the needs of individual stakeholders while delivering corporate objectives.

INCLUDES
  • Continued Professional Development
  • Benefits including medical, dental and vision insurance, 14 paid holidays, vacation time and 401k matching

WORK CONDITIONS
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
  • Local travel 30%
  • Quarterly travel to Georgia Blue Bird locations
  • Office environment and production environment
  • Must work in manufacturing environment with exposure to heat, cold and noise
  • Fast paced production area with moving objects and sheet metal
  • Occasional periods of standing or sitting for extended periods of time
  • Must wear appropriate PPE when and where required
  • Frequent weeks working 40+ hours
  • Frequent communication with people throughout the day

*The specific statements shown in each section of this description are not intended to be all-inclusive. They represent typical elements and criteria necessary to successfully perform the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
Blue Bird® is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. We strive to have the best available talent in every job based on the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities each person brings. Blue Bird is committed to compliance with all applicable laws providing equal employment opportunities. This commitment applies to all persons involved in Company operations and prohibits unlawful discrimination in all forms.
All candidates must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States and will be required to provide proof of employment eligibility at the time of hire.
#LI-onsite
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

Apply