Buyer, Business

Overview

Summit Polymers is a leading, global supplier of automotive interior systems including consoles, door panels, and instrument panels. With over 50 years serving the industry, we deliver engineering and product excellence to our customers, on time, in budget, with the latest innovations.

Join a team where you’ll be challenged and valued. A career with Summit Polymers means working with smart people in a culture that thrives on challenging, meaningful work. At Summit, we look for growth potential with every hire. We don’t just fill seats, we set people on career paths. We’re always on the lookout for smart people who are committed to continuous improvement, customer service and quality.

Job Description

JOB TITLE: Buyer FLSA STATUS: Exempt

REPORTS TO: Manager, Supply Chain (Purchasing)

Responsible for the sourcing and ongoing management of purchased direct materials and components.

• Investigate and select sources for purchased materials in cooperation with Engineering and consistent with commodity strategies.
• Achieve cost reductions through price/contract negotiations for purchased items. Monitor contracts to assure that Summit is taking best advantage of the contracts and that the contracts achieve the intended goals.
• Develop commodity expertise in order to attain lowest cost, and select the best materials for Summit’s applications.
• Select and develop the highest performing sources in coordination with Supplier Development.
• Work with Summit’s cost estimators to develop and determine the optimum material prices and cost models for quoting purposes.
• Facilitate Summit personnel in gaining access to supplier expertise, technology, and manufacturing support.
• Actively participate in the New Business Development and APQP processes to ensure that the materials purchased for new products are consistent with corporate purchasing strategy and within quoted cost targets.
• Manage milestones, deliverables and prototype purchased parts for new programs during product launch cycles.
• Initiate, lead, or support VA/VE activities related to purchased materials to improve cost competitiveness and margin.
• Coordinate Supply Chain parameters for purchased sources in cooperation with Logistics and Summit Plant Materials.
• Promote strong relationships with SPI suppliers built on mutual respect, shared goals, open communication, and integrity.
• Provide support to all other Summit functions as needed.

• Bachelor’s degree and 3 years purchasing or supply chain experience. Experience in the Automotive Industry preferred.

• Possesses the ability to gather and analyze information and make decisions from a limited number of choices.
• A minimum score of 50 on the Wonderlic Select Assessment (Traditional Score of 26 on the cognitive portion).

This position typically does require up to 25% travel.

The information contained in this job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of the duties and responsibilities of the job, nor are they intended to be an all-inclusive list of the skills and abilities required to do the job. Management may, at its discretion, assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Rev. 1/27/2026