Buyer

Are you a strategic sourcing professional with a passion for the automotive industry and a talent for negotiation? Bestop is searching for a meticulous, results-oriented Buyer to join our team in Sterling Heights, Michigan.

About Bestop

At Bestop, we’re passionate about the outdoors and committed to delivering the best possible products and experiences for our customers. We design and manufacture premium soft tops, accessories, and security solutions across our Bestop, Softopper, and Tuffy Security Products brands. We’re a close-knit team that values teamwork, personal growth, and a strong work ethic — and we believe in fostering a collaborative environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

About the Role

As a Buyer, you’ll play a critical role in the financial health and operational efficiency of our organization. This is a hands-on individual-contributor seat: you’ll take ownership of key buying assignments for assigned commodities, ensuring we procure items at the most favorable price while maintaining the highest standards of quality and service. You’ll develop purchasing strategies, source new vendors, and partner cross-functionally to drive efficiency, profitability, and IATF-compliant supplier performance.

Compensation & Hiring Range

The hiring range for this position is:

$80,000 – $90,000 per year (full-time, salaried, exempt)

Final pay is determined based on relevant experience, skills, and internal equity. This range reflects a 2026 refresh of our prior posted band, informed by current Detroit metro market data for procurement professionals at this level.

Recruitment Timeline

Application deadline: Open until filled. Priority consideration for applications received by Friday, May 29, 2026.

Phone screens: Rolling, beginning the week of May 18, 2026

Onsite interviews: Weeks of June 1 and June 8, 2026

Target start date: Monday, July 6, 2026 (with Monday, June 22, 2026 as a possible earlier start for ready candidates)

What You’ll Do

• Develop Purchasing Strategy: Create and implement purchasing strategies for new and existing products and projects across assigned commodities.
• Vendor Management: Source and select vendors that ensure optimal quality, price, delivery, and service. Manage day-to-day supplier relationships and performance.
• Negotiate & Reduce Costs: Proactively negotiate with suppliers to achieve cost reductions through rebates, long-term agreements (LTAs), and discounts.
• Project & Tooling Management: Negotiate, coordinate, and manage assigned tooling and material projects from initiation through full-scale production.
• Market & Price Analysis: Track and report on current price trends, supplier delivery issues, market conditions, and lead times for all key raw materials.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Support project teams and engineers by attending meetings, managing component deliverables, and partnering with material program managers on new designs and supplier selection.
• Quality & Compliance: Inform and follow up with suppliers on critical part status, ensuring adherence to quality standards and IATF 16949 requirements.
• Continuous Improvement: Continuously search for improved or lower-cost materials and recommend new or different materials and designs to our engineering team.

What You’ll Need (Required Qualifications)

• 3–5 years of experience in a Buyer or Technical Buyer purchasing role.
• Strong negotiation skills.
• Familiarity with engineering drawings, bills of material, and manufacturing processes.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the technical aptitude to interact professionally with suppliers, engineers, and internal stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience in supplier development.
• Ability to plan, organize, and manage multiple competing demands in a dynamic, deadline-driven environment.
• A high degree of integrity and trustworthiness — we negotiate hard, but always honestly.
• Currently located in the Detroit metro area, or planning to relocate to the Sterling Heights, MI area at your own expense prior to the start date. This position is onsite — relocation assistance is not provided.
• Authorized to work in the United States now and in the future without employer sponsorship (no visa sponsorship is available for this role).

Bonus Points (Preferred Qualifications)

• A college degree in business, supply chain, engineering, or a related field.
• Working knowledge of plastics, die casting, stamping, and metal fabrication processes — and the related tooling.
• Direct experience within the automotive industry, particularly with IATF 16949-certified suppliers.
• Experience working with offshore sources and managing the logistics, lead time, and quality considerations that come with them.
• Experience with ERP / MRP systems used in a manufacturing environment.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• This is an onsite role at our Sterling Heights, MI facility; remote/hybrid is not available for this position.
• Standard office environment with extended periods of computer use and communication via phone, email, and video.
• Periodic time on the manufacturing floor and at supplier facilities (domestic) for hands-on familiarity with components, tooling, and processes.
• Occasional travel may be required for supplier visits, trade shows, or program reviews.

Perks & Benefits

• Competitive base salary (see Compensation & Hiring Range above).
• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance.
• Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options.
• Life insurance and Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• 401(k) with company match.
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid holidays.
• Ongoing professional development assistance and training opportunities.
• Employee discount on Bestop, Softopper, and Tuffy products.
• Opportunity to contribute to exciting projects and work with iconic outdoor and automotive brands.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Bestop is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to providing an inclusive environment where every team member is treated with dignity and respect.

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, height, weight, marital status, familial status, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law, including those protected under the Michigan Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act and the Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act.

Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business need.

How to Apply

Apply directly through Indeed by submitting your resume. A cover letter is welcome but not required.

Notice to Recruiters & Staffing Agencies

We are managing this recruitment directly and do not accept unsolicited resumes or candidate submissions from staffing agencies or third-party recruiters. Any unsolicited contact will be disregarded, and we will not be responsible for any fees related to unsolicited candidates.

Pay: $80,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• How many years of experience do you have in a Buyer or Technical Buyer purchasing role?
• Do you have hands-on experience with at least two of: plastics, die casting, stamping, or metal fabrication?

Ability to Commute:

• Sterling Heights, MI 48310 (Preferred)

Work Location: In person