Purchasing Manager

- Plymouth, Michigan

Discover your potential. Pursue your passion.

Link Engineering Company (LINK) is a premier designer and manufacturer of precision test equipment, we specialize in developing customized solutions for the Automotive, Aviation, Off-Highway, Rail, and Civil Engineering industries. We are headquartered in Plymouth, Michigan, outside of Detroit, and maintain testing laboratories, manufacturing, and support facilities around the globe.

Established in 1935, we have been a family-owned company for generations, we treat our customers and employees as if they are part of our family. We set our employees up for success, as they are given constant opportunities to learn and develop new skills. As many of our team members have been with LINK for a generation or more, the LINK team is equipped with a wealth of knowledge, providing decades of hands-on experience and out-of-the-box thinking to OEM’s and suppliers everywhere.

We are looking for a talented Purchasing Manager who is responsible for leading all procurement activities for the Plymouth, Michigan manufacturing facility. This role oversees a team of buyers responsible for executing purchase orders through the company’s ERP and TSM systems, ensuring materials, components, and services are sourced on time, at the right cost, and to the required technical specifications.

Success in this role requires a blend of technical understanding, supplier management expertise, and strong leadership. The Purchasing Manager is a key contributor to on‑time delivery, cost control, and overall operational performance in a highly customized, engineering‑driven production environment.

Main Responsibilities:

• Own the maintenance and execution of the LINK Purchasing standard operating procedure.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of buyers responsible for daily purchasing activities.
• Set performance expectations, monitor KPIs, and drive continuous improvement in procurement processes.
• Ensure workload is balanced and aligned with production schedules and engineering priorities.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and proactive problem‑solving.
• Oversee all purchasing activities for the Plymouth facility, including materials, components, subcontracted services, and engineered‑to‑order items.
• Ensure all purchase orders are executed accurately and timely through the ERP system.
• Review and approve high‑value or strategic purchase orders.
• Resolve escalated supplier issues related to delivery, quality, or pricing.
• Utilize total spend management tools to monitor spend categories, identify savings opportunities, and improve sourcing decisions.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers, especially those supporting custom or technical components.
• Evaluate supplier performance and lead corrective actions when needed.
• Negotiate pricing, terms, and long‑term agreements to support cost‑reduction and reliability goals.
• Identify and qualify new suppliers to support growth, risk mitigation, and technical capability needs.
• Work closely with Engineering, Production, Planning, and Quality to ensure procurement aligns with project requirements and manufacturing schedules.
• Participate in design reviews to anticipate sourcing challenges for engineered‑to‑order components.
• Support new product introductions and custom project launches with early supplier engagement.
• Ensure the purchasing team follows ERP workflows, data accuracy standards, and procurement policies.
• Drive improvements in lead‑time reduction, cost control, terms and supplier responsiveness.
• Support inventory optimization initiatives and material availability strategies.
• Leverage total spend management software and ERP system to analyze spend, track supplier performance, and support strategic sourcing initiatives.
• Partner with LINK global locations to share best practices, understand regional trends, and capitalize on LINK global procurement and purchasing opportunities across commodities and locations.
• Proactively identify potential supply opportunities and concerns through research and benchmarking of commodity, industry, and technology trends
• Ensure work is performed in a safe manner using all available safety equipment.
• All other related duties as assigned.
• Possess mental faculties consistent with performing the minimum requirements of the job.
• Adhere and perform all duties aligned with the core values of the LINK Group organization, Can-Do Attitude, Courage, Commitment, Humility and Accountability.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, or related field) OR Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, or Business with strong technical aptitude.
• 7 years of purchasing experience in a manufacturing environment (engineered to order/low volume preferred)
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in leading and managing teams.
• Experience working with ERP systems (Epicor preferred)
• Experience working with TSM platforms (Coupa preferred)
• Experience in global and regional procurement (preferred)
• Experience in engineered‑to‑order, custom equipment, or complex assembly manufacturing (preferred)

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Ability to interpret technical drawings, specifications, and engineered requirements.
• Strong negotiation, communication, and supplier‑relationship skills.
• Demonstrated success in leading and managing people in a team-based environment
• Excellent attention to detail, organization, and time management skills.
• Excellent leadership skills, including goal setting, motivating, training and mentorship.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, including writing, speaking and active listening.
• Effective conflict resolution and problem-solving skills.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and Windows based computer systems

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to walk.
• Ability to speak verbally and read in English.
• Ability to see with corrective lenses.
• Ability to hear.
• Ability to lift up to 20 pounds.
• Ability to bend, stoop, crouch, reach, hand-eye coordination, and manual dexterity.
• Ability to use a computer.
• Able to work evenings and/or weekends as required.
• Able to travel up to 20% domestically.

Hazards:

• Normal hazards related to working in an office environment.
• Normal hazards related to working in a manufacturing and testing environment.
• Normal hazards related to road and air travel.

Relocation services not provided.

LINK is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer Minorities/Females/Veterans/Disabled. VEVRRA Federal Contractor.

LINK is an E-Verify employer. E-Verify is an internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that allows participating employees to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees in the United States.

Accessibility for Applicants with Disabilities: If you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability please call 1-734-453-0800. Please provide your contact information and details about the posted position of interest. Only inquiries regarding assistance for those who need accommodation with the online application process due to a disability will be returned.

Note to all Agencies / Direct Placement: LINK has a team of dedicated recruiters who are responsible for all hiring needs. Our practice is to partner and work with our approved vendors only and on an as-needed basis. LINK has identified and finalized our list of preferred vendors and the review process has been closed. We do not accept resumes from recruiting agencies that are not a preferred vendor, have not been authorized or approved by Corporate Recruiting to partner on a position and have not signed LINK’s vendor agreement. Any resumes submitted from unapproved vendors will be considered unsolicited, and LINK will not be obligated to pay a referral fee.