Senior Level Purchasing Associate Jobs
Senior level purchasing associate jobs place experienced professionals in charge of sourcing strategy, supplier relationships, and the cross-functional procurement projects that keep supply chains running. Roles are concentrated in Automotive, Manufacturing, and Food & Beverage, with a mix of on-site and remote or hybrid schedules, and employers like ZF, Amerex, and Softweb Solutions hiring at this level now.
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Become our next FutureStarter
Are you ready to make an impact? ZF is looking for talented individuals to join our team. As a FutureStarter, you’ll have the opportunity to shape the future of mobility. Join us and be part of something extraordinary!
Advanced Purchasing Buyer:
Req ID 92457 | Gbl Elec HQ - Farmington Hills, United States Capri USA Group, Inc.
Sr. Program Buyer
About the Team:
Join ZF’s ADAS & HPC business unit, also known as “Capri,” and help shape the next generation of advanced driver assistance technologies. The Sr. Program Buyer leads purchasing activities for assigned programs within ZF’s ADAS & HPC business unit, managing procurement from customer quotation kickoff through business award. This role partners with cross-functional teams to manage material costs, negotiate supplier pricing, and align global sourcing with customer requirements and corporate strategies to help win new business.
What you can look forward to as Advanced Purchasing Buyer:
- Serve as the purchasing lead for assigned programs during the customer quotation process, managing procurement activities from project kickoff through business award.
- Partner with Engineering, Sales, Finance, Project Management, and Program and Production Purchasing within the Customer Quote Analysis (CQA) team to meet customer cost targets and win new business.
- Manage bill of materials (BOM) costs, lead requests for information and quotations (RFI/RFQ), negotiate competitive supplier pricing, and identify cost-reduction opportunities.
- Align supplier selection with corporate sourcing strategies to maximize purchasing scale and cost savings.
- Identify and source suppliers globally to support new ADAS technologies and customer requirements.
Your profile as Advanced Purchasing Buyer:
- A bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering, Business Administration, or a related field.
- 6+ years of experience in purchasing or supplier development.
- Strong negotiation skills and the ability to influence decisions and drive results across teams.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with a commitment to continuous improvement.
- A proactive approach, a strong sense of ownership, and the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
- Technical knowledge of electronic, plastic, and mechanical components, preferably in the automotive industry.
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint; experience with SAP is a plus.
What We Offer:
- A supportive collaborative team environment
- Annual Incentive Plan
- Paid Vacation
- 401k Plan
- Health Care Benefits
- Paid Holidays
- A strong diversity culture
- Supportive Employee Groups and community outreach activities
Be part of our ZF team as Advanced Purchasing Buyer: and apply now!
Contact
Bethany Vijayakumar
DIVERSITY COMMITMENT:
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are more than just words for us. They are at the core of the ZF Way that propels our team members towards their utmost success. We strive to build and nurture a culture where inclusiveness is a natural reflex. We actively seek ways to remove barriers so that every member of ZF can rise to their full potential. We aim to embed this in our legacy through how we operate and build our products as we shape next generation mobility, safety, sustainability and social justice.
With four generations across 118 nationalities in 41 countries, ZF combines a unique variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and ideas. Together, we solve problems, drive innovation and shape next generation mobility.
Our company is committed to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity and to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you are interested in applying for employment with us and are in need of accommodation or special assistance to navigate our website or to complete your application, please contact us. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. ZF is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job-related reasons regardless of an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, marital status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law. Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer M/F/Disability/Veteran
What does DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) mean for ZF as a company?
At ZF, we continuously strive to build and maintain a culture where inclusiveness is lived and diversity is valued. We actively seek ways to remove barriers so that all our employees can rise to their full potential. We aim to embed this vision in our legacy through how we operate and build our products as we shape the future of mobility.
Find out how we work at ZF:
Nearest Major Market: Detroit
Job Segment: Buyer, Purchasing, Industrial Engineer, Procurement, Engineer, Operations, Finance, Engineering
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Top Industries Hiring
- Automotive
- Manufacturing
- Food & Beverage
- Technology & Software
- Electronics & Hardware
Senior Level Purchasing Associate Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a senior level purchasing associate job?
Employers at this level look for demonstrated ownership of sourcing cycles, supplier negotiations, and cost-reduction initiatives rather than task execution alone. Candidates who can show they have led procurement projects end to end, mentored junior buyers, and contributed to supply chain strategy stand out. Highlighting measurable outcomes, such as savings achieved or lead times reduced, is what moves a resume past screening.
Which companies hire senior level purchasing associates?
Companies hiring senior level purchasing associates right now include ZF, Amerex, and Softweb Solutions, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. At this level, hiring tends to concentrate in larger manufacturers, defense contractors, healthcare systems, and logistics-heavy enterprises that maintain dedicated procurement departments with defined career paths.
Are there remote senior level purchasing associate jobs?
Yes, though many roles at this level still require some on-site presence for supplier visits and cross-departmental collaboration. About 0% of senior level purchasing associate openings are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting broader adoption of flexible work in procurement functions across industries where relationship management can be handled digitally.
What makes a purchasing associate role senior level?
Senior level purchasing associate roles are defined by scope and ownership rather than simply years on the job. These positions involve leading sourcing strategies, managing key supplier relationships independently, driving contract negotiations, and often mentoring mid-level or junior procurement staff. Expectations shift from completing assigned purchases to shaping procurement processes, identifying systemic efficiencies, and contributing to supply chain decisions at a strategic level.
Which industries hire the most senior level purchasing associates?
Senior Level purchasing associate roles concentrate in Automotive, Manufacturing, and Food & Beverage, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. These sectors drive hiring at this level because their procurement volumes, regulatory requirements, and supplier complexity demand experienced professionals who can manage risk and lead vendor relationships with minimal oversight.