Buyer

Position Title: Buyer I (Hybrid)

Location: Detroit, MI, USA, 48226-1203

Duration: 07 months Contract on W2 (possible extension)

Note*: We're looking for Services Buyer.

Position Description:

• Provide core procurement management for Services-based spend to achieve budget objectives, supplier diversity goals, and on‑time service delivery.
• This role partners closely with business units to manage service contracts, Statements of Work (SOWs), and service providers, with a focus on total cost of ownership, performance outcomes, and risk management.
• This role is service‑oriented and not focused on commodities or materials procurement.
• Candidates must have demonstrated experience in procuring and managing services rather than physical goods.

Key Accountabilities:

• Lead company procurement processes for service-based engagements, ensuring quality, cost effectiveness, compliance, and on-time delivery from service providers.
• Represent the company in service supplier relationships, including negotiations of SOWs, master service agreements (MSAs), commercial terms, and ongoing contract administration.
• Manage total cost of ownership for services, including labor models, performance metrics, service outcomes, and risk—not just acquisition cost.
• Support Supply Chain leaders, Strategic Category Managers, and business unit partners in developing and executing services procurement strategies.
• Provide mentoring and direction to procurement staff related to services sourcing, service contracts, and service governance.
• Provide day-to-day procurement operations for service engagements, including preparing recommendations, securing approvals, managing contract changes, and issuing service-related change orders.
• Support contract strategies established by Strategic Category Managers and cross-functional teams, with a primary focus on services categories.
• Write, review, and negotiate service agreements, including SOWs, SLAs, amendments, and renewals.
• Interface with Contract Administration, Legal, and Risk Management to ensure service contracts comply with applicable terms, conditions, and risk requirements.
• Evaluate supplier/service provider performance and support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Respond to urgent or critical service needs and perform expediting functions, as required.
• Work with Business Units, Suppliers, and Accounts Payable to facilitate invoice resolution and service-related dispute resolution.
• Support and Supply Chain Management goals, metrics, policies, and procedures.
• Understands and supports SPM processes and objectives.

Minimum Education & Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Minimum 3 years of experience in supply chain or procurement, with demonstrated focus on Services procurement

Preferred Qualifications:

• Degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, or Economics
• Prior procurement experience supporting service-intensive environments, such as:
• Professional services, EPC or contractor services, Engineering, construction, or maintenance services, Managed or labor-based service contracts.
• Experience supporting Solar or Renewable Energy services (e.g., EPCs, construction services, O&M services)
• Yellow / Green / Black Belt certification

Other Requirements:

• Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills
• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word
• Demonstrated ability to manage multi‑million‑dollar service contracts, meet deadlines, prioritize work independently, and consistently deliver positive business unit feedback
• Strong negotiation and contract-writing skills, including:
• Independently negotiating service agreements and SOWs
• Drafting and reviewing service terms and conditions
• Building collaborative relationships with business unit partners and service providers
• Reviewing peers’ service contracts for compliance with company requirements
• Demonstrated understanding of risk management in services procurement, including liability, performance risk, and contractual tradeoffs
• Ability to analyze value beyond price, including capacity, scalability, service quality, and performance outcomes
• Demonstrated understanding of business needs and enterprise impact through participation in business unit meetings and service planning discussions
• Proven application of continuous improvement tools, systems, and processes
• Experience working directly with EPC contractors and service providers, particularly in solar or renewable services environments
• Experience limited primarily to commodities, materials, catalog buying, or transactional purchasing is not sufficient for this role.

Additional Information:

• Incumbents may engage in all or some combination of the activities and accountabilities listed, depending on organizational needs and assignment.
• This description outlines the general nature and level of work performed and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities.