Title: Specialist II, Purchasing (Raw Materials)
Department: PURCHDD
Report To: Manager, Purchasing
Location: Holland, MI
Work Arrangement: On-site
Employment Type: Full-Time
Employment Classification: Exempt
Schedule: Monday – Friday 8am- 5pm | Schedule may vary based on business needs. Additional compensation opportunities may be available.
Benefits: LG Energy Solution offers a competitive total rewards package, including 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for eligible employees, paid time off, a 401(k) with company match, and additional voluntary benefits. Benefit eligibility and plan details are subject to the applicable benefit plans.
LG Energy Solution Michigan, Inc. is a global leader in advanced lithium-ion battery technology, delivering innovative battery solutions for electric vehicles (EVs) and Energy Storage Systems (ESS). With expanding operations across the United States, we are committed to innovation, quality, safety, and sustainability while powering the future of clean energy. Join our team and help shape the next generation of advanced battery technology.www.lgenergymi.com
Position Summary:
The Specialist II, Purchasing (Raw Materials) independently manages assigned purchasing activities, suppliers, and raw material commodities to support manufacturing operations. This position performs sourcing, procurement, supplier management, purchasing analysis, and contract activities while ensuring material availability and balancing cost, quality, delivery, inventory, and business requirements.
Working with limited direction, the Specialist II evaluates sourcing opportunities, conducts supplier negotiations, analyzes purchasing and supplier data, identifies supply risks, and resolves purchasing and material-related issues. This position partners with Production, Planning, Quality, Engineering, Logistics, Finance, and other teams to support production requirements and purchasing objectives.
Essential Responsibilities:
- Independently manage purchasing activities for assigned raw materials, commodities, and suppliers.
- Manage supplier relationships and monitor performance related to cost, quality, delivery, service, and responsiveness.
- Source, evaluate, and qualify domestic and global suppliers for raw materials and related commodities.
- Conduct Request for Quotation (RFQ) activities and evaluate supplier pricing, capabilities, lead times, and commercial terms.
- Negotiate pricing, lead times, payment terms, delivery schedules, and other commercial conditions within assigned responsibility.
- Create, review, and manage purchase orders in accordance with approved purchasing requirements.
- Manage raw material procurement based on production schedules, inventory requirements, forecasts, and supplier lead times.
- Analyze material demand, inventory levels, supplier capacity, and delivery schedules to identify potential shortages and supply risks.
- Monitor material availability and supplier delivery performance to support continuity of supply.
- Independently resolve routine and moderately complex material shortages, delivery issues, pricing discrepancies, and supplier-related concerns; escalate significant risks as appropriate.
- Review supplier performance and coordinate corrective actions or improvement activities as needed.
- Review and manage supplier agreements, commercial terms, and service contracts within assigned responsibility.
- Analyze raw material pricing, purchasing spend, supplier performance, and procurement data to identify trends, risks, cost reduction opportunities, and areas for improvement.
- Provide purchasing analysis and recommendations to support sourcing and supplier decisions.
- Partner with Production, Planning, Quality, Engineering, Logistics, Finance, and other functions to resolve material and purchasing issues.
- Coordinate with Accounting and suppliers to resolve invoice, pricing, and payment discrepancies.
- Coordinate supplier registration, qualification, and onboarding within company procurement systems.
- Prepare and analyze purchasing reports, spend analysis, supplier performance data, and procurement metrics.
- Support global sourcing, localization, alternative sourcing, cost reduction, and supplier development initiatives.
- Maintain accurate purchasing records and documentation in accordance with company policies, procedures, approval requirements, and internal controls.
- Identify and support continuous improvement opportunities related to purchasing processes, supplier performance, material availability, inventory, and cost.
- Maintain cleanliness at work-site in accordance with 5S3R Standards:
- Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain
- Right Location, Right Quantity, Right Container
- Perform other duties as assigned
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Purchasing, Logistics, Finance, Operations, Engineering, or a related field required, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
- Demonstrated knowledge of purchasing, procurement, sourcing, supplier management, and material requirements.
- Experience conducting RFQs, evaluating supplier proposals, and supporting or conducting supplier negotiations.
- Experience managing supplier relationships and resolving material, delivery, pricing, or purchasing-related issues.
- Experience analyzing purchasing, supplier, material, spend, or cost data.
- Experience reviewing or managing supplier agreements, contracts, or commercial terms.
- Experience using ERP, MRP, procurement, or purchasing systems.
- Demonstrated ability to independently manage assigned suppliers, commodities, and purchasing activities with limited direction.
Preferred Qualifications:
- 3–6 years of experience in purchasing, procurement, supply chain, sourcing, material planning, inventory control, manufacturing, or a related field.
- Master's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration (MBA), Operations, Finance, Engineering, or a related discipline preferred.
- Purchasing or sourcing experience within battery, lithium-ion battery, automotive, or advanced manufacturing.
- Experience with raw material or commodity purchasing.
- Experience sourcing or managing suppliers within a global supply chain.
- Experience using SAP or a similar ERP system.
- Experience with cost analysis, spend analysis, supplier performance metrics, or procurement reporting.
- Experience supporting cost reduction, supplier development, localization, or alternative sourcing initiatives.
- Knowledge of continuous improvement or Lean manufacturing principles.
- Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM), Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), or similar certification preferred.
Skills & Competencies:
- Strong analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills.
- Strong negotiation and commercial skills.
- Strong organization, prioritization, and time management skills.
- Effective verbal, written, and presentation skills.
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
- Ability to independently manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Ability to build effective relationships with suppliers and cross-functional stakeholders.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook, and applicable purchasing systems.
- Strong accountability, initiative, and follow-through.
Work Environment & Physical Requirements:
- Primarily works in an office environment with regular interaction with manufacturing, warehouse, and production areas.
- Requires prolonged periods of sitting and computer use, with periodic standing and walking throughout the facility.
- Must be able to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) when entering designated manufacturing or warehouse areas.
- May require domestic and international travel to support supplier evaluations, negotiations, sourcing activities, and other business needs.
- May require work outside normal business hours to support suppliers, production requirements, Corporate Headquarters, and global teams.
Equal Opportunity Employer
LG Energy Solution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
LG Energy Solution provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities as required by applicable law.
Job Description Disclaimer
This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this position. It is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all responsibilities, duties, or qualifications. Responsibilities may change based on business needs.
