Purchasing Specialist Jobs in Michigan
Purchasing Specialist jobs in Michigan are consistently active, with strong demand concentrated in automotive manufacturing, defense contracting, and healthcare supply chains at levels from entry-level buyers through senior procurement leads. Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Ann Arbor are the primary hiring centers, anchored by employers like General Motors, Ford Motor Company, and Stellantis, all of which maintain large and ongoing purchasing teams. The most in-demand specialties in Michigan are direct materials sourcing, supplier quality management, and contract negotiation within automotive tier-one and tier-two supply networks. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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The Purchasing Program Manager / RFQ Creation Specialist leads advance program management activities and creates sourcing packages for new programs, including advanced, serial life, resourcing, and market test initiatives, in alignment with the sourcing plan. This role supports production buyers, serves as the liaison between Purchasing and cross-functional teams—including Engineering, Supplier Quality, Supply Chain Management, Finance, VCE, Manufacturing, and suppliers—and works directly with source package stakeholders during the preparation phase to align activities. The position ensures purchasing requirements and KPIs are met at each milestone by removing obstacles, aligning tasks to program timelines, supporting mitigation plans, monitoring risk, escalating critical issues, and coordinating cross-functional responses to minimize impact. This position features executive-level interface, responsible for supporting Product Committee meetings in addition to other product development and governance activities.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop sourcing plans, including strategy, timing, and readiness to transition to execution team
- Lead RFQ/source package creation for North America and ensure required data is complete and accurate
- Coordinate with Purchasing, Engineering, Supplier Quality, Supply Chain, Finance, VCE, Manufacturing, and suppliers to align sourcing activities
- Track sourcing package status, resolve roadblocks, and provide updates to project teams and purchasing leadership
- Ensure purchasing requirements, KPIs, and program milestones are achieved up to contract milestone
Basic Qualifications:
- Education: Bachelor's degree in business, finance, supply chain management, engineering, or a related field
- Experience: 8+ years in purchasing, sourcing, engineering, negotiation, change management, or a related area
- Core Skills: Strong project management, analytical, organizational, negotiation, and communication skills
- Work Style: Able to manage multiple priorities, resolve conflict, and perform effectively in a fast-paced environment
- Leadership: Self-motivated, results-oriented, and comfortable leading cross-functional/global teams and interfacing with all management levels
Preferred Qualifications:
- Education and Experience: MBA or master's degree; previous buyer experience; experience working with SAP
- Systems and Process Knowledge: Strong understanding of Stellantis systems, purchasing strategy, sourcing pipeline, sourcing process flow, GST, EBOM, CN, COPS, Fastcar, and Part Development Plan
- Project and Tool Proficiency: Experience working with global project teams and proficiency in Microsoft tools, especially Excel
The Purchasing Program Manager / RFQ Creation Specialist leads advance program management activities and creates sourcing packages for new programs, including advanced, serial life, resourcing, and market test initiatives, in alignment with the sourcing plan. This role supports production buyers, serves as the liaison between Purchasing and cross-functional teams—including Engineering, Supplier Quality, Supply Chain Management, Finance, VCE, Manufacturing, and suppliers—and works directly with source package stakeholders during the preparation phase to align activities. The position ensures purchasing requirements and KPIs are met at each milestone by removing obstacles, aligning tasks to program timelines, supporting mitigation plans, monitoring risk, escalating critical issues, and coordinating cross-functional responses to minimize impact. This position features executive-level interface, responsible for supporting Product Committee meetings in addition to other product development and governance activities.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop sourcing plans, including strategy, timing, and readiness to transition to execution team
- Lead RFQ/source package creation for North America and ensure required data is complete and accurate
- Coordinate with Purchasing, Engineering, Supplier Quality, Supply Chain, Finance, VCE, Manufacturing, and suppliers to align sourcing activities
- Track sourcing package status, resolve roadblocks, and provide updates to project teams and purchasing leadership
- Ensure purchasing requirements, KPIs, and program milestones are achieved up to contract milestone
Basic Qualifications:
- Education: Bachelor's degree in business, finance, supply chain management, engineering, or a related field
- Experience: 8+ years in purchasing, sourcing, engineering, negotiation, change management, or a related area
- Core Skills: Strong project management, analytical, organizational, negotiation, and communication skills
- Work Style: Able to manage multiple priorities, resolve conflict, and perform effectively in a fast-paced environment
- Leadership: Self-motivated, results-oriented, and comfortable leading cross-functional/global teams and interfacing with all management levels
Preferred Qualifications:
- Education and Experience: MBA or master's degree; previous buyer experience; experience working with SAP
- Systems and Process Knowledge: Strong understanding of Stellantis systems, purchasing strategy, sourcing pipeline, sourcing process flow, GST, EBOM, CN, COPS, Fastcar, and Part Development Plan
- Project and Tool Proficiency: Experience working with global project teams and proficiency in Microsoft tools, especially Excel
See All 6 Purchasing Specialist Jobs in Michigan
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Find Purchasing Specialist JobsPurchasing Specialist Jobs by City in Michigan
Where Michigan roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Purchasing Specialist Job Market in Michigan
A snapshot from current Michigan openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Energy
- Manufacturing
What Michigan Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in purchasing specialist jobs across Michigan.
- Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, business, or a related field preferred
- Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) credential is a competitive advantage
- Proficiency with ERP systems such as SAP or Oracle for purchase order management
- Experience sourcing direct materials, components, or indirect goods in a manufacturing environment
- Strong negotiation and supplier relationship management skills across multiple vendors
- Familiarity with AIAG automotive quality and supply chain standards used by Michigan manufacturers
Purchasing Specialist Jobs in Michigan: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a purchasing specialist in Michigan?
Most purchasing specialist roles in Michigan require a bachelor's degree in supply chain management, business administration, or a related field. Michigan does not issue a state-specific license for purchasing specialists, but the Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) credential from the Institute for Supply Management is widely recognized by Michigan employers and often listed as preferred. Candidates targeting automotive-sector roles benefit from familiarity with AIAG standards and direct materials sourcing practices common in the Detroit area.
How much do purchasing specialists make in Michigan?
Purchasing specialists in Michigan earn a median of about $49,980 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $39,390 for the lowest 10% to over $65,550 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire purchasing specialists in Michigan?
Employers hiring purchasing specialists in Michigan right now include LG Energy Solution Michigan, Stellantis, and Cesna Recruitment, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Michigan's automotive manufacturing base means many openings come from vehicle OEMs, tier-one suppliers, and defense contractors with longstanding procurement operations in the state.
Which Michigan cities have the most purchasing specialist jobs?
Holland, Troy, and Walled Lake have the most purchasing specialist openings in Michigan. The Detroit metro drives the largest share of demand through its concentration of automotive OEMs, tier-one suppliers, and defense contractors, while Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor contribute openings through healthcare systems, consumer goods manufacturers, and university-affiliated research and procurement operations.
Are there remote purchasing specialist jobs in Michigan?
Yes, but they're less common than fully on-site roles, since purchasing specialists often need to coordinate closely with warehouses, suppliers, and production teams. About 0% of purchasing specialist openings tied to Michigan are remote or hybrid as of August 2026. Strategic sourcing, contract administration, and indirect procurement roles are the areas most likely to offer remote or hybrid flexibility.
How can I get hired as a purchasing specialist in Michigan with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for purchasing assistant or procurement coordinator roles at Michigan's large automotive suppliers or health systems, which regularly hire candidates with a supply chain or business degree and no direct experience. General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis each run rotational supply chain development programs for recent graduates. Earning the CPSM or completing a Michigan community college certificate in supply chain management strengthens an entry-level application, and lateral moves from roles in logistics coordination, accounts payable, or inventory control are commonly accepted as relevant starting points.
Where can I find and apply to purchasing specialist jobs in Michigan?
You can find and apply to purchasing specialist jobs in Michigan on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from Michigan employers. Find roles that match your background and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 6 Purchasing Specialist Jobs in Michigan
Find roles in Michigan that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Purchasing Specialist Jobs