Sr. Commodity Buyer - Direct Materials

Company: RealTruck Group Inc
Location: Ann Arbor
Posted on: February 19, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description POSITION SUMMARY The Senior Commodity Buyer will plan, direct and coordinate all corporate procurement functions related to specific commodity groups. This role will engage cross functionally to develop category strategies, plus plan and lead the sourcing process. This includes negotiation of purchase price, quality, availability, delivery, and other factors necessary to ensure the overall conformance of materials purchased. This role is a key contributor to the Purchasing Continuous Improvement (PCI) initiative to improve RealTruck (RT) productivity and margins. Annual commitment and delivery of P&L cost savings is a core function of the position. Additionally, this role will support the VP & SVP of Procurement on activities related to RT functional transformation. Specifically, a portion of this role focuses on streamlining procurement activities, ensuring compliance, and driving efficiencies to meet organizational goals CORE FUNCTIONS Evaluate and analyze category market trends; manage supply risk and minimize total costs. This includes optimizing commodity strategies, forward buying, tariffs, currencies and landed cost. Collaborate cross functionally to understand and determine supply needs and product development / engineering and evaluation requirements in order to develop strategy and select the best suppliers. Drive the RFQ process and effectively manage supplier performance for quality, price, delivery and service. Develop and maintain strong relationships with suppliers including the development of new product concepts / optimized services. Participate in supplier business reviews. Use data gathering and analysis to develop short and long-term action plans for continuous improvement opportunities, initiatives and significant cost savings. Process Optimization & Improvement: Analyze and evaluate current procurement processes, workflows, and systems to identify areas for improvement. Develop and implement new procurement strategies and workflows to enhance efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Stakeholder Collaboration Collaborate with internal teams (Procurement, IT, Finance, Legal) to gather requirements, understand pain points, and design solutions that align with business needs. Maintain close relationships with external suppliers to ensure process integration and performance improvements. Act as a liaison between procurement and other business units to drive initiatives and projects forward. Technology & Systems Management Manage and maintain procurement-related software and systems (e.g., spend management, risk analysis). Lead initiatives for technology adoption and automation to improve procurement processes. Work with IT teams to ensure procurement systems are functioning effectively and are up to date. Data & Performance Analysis: Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for procurement processes, including cost savings, process efficiency, and supplier performance. Leverage data analytics to generate insights and make data-driven decisions for continuous improvement. Develop dashboards and reporting tools to provide visibility into procurement operations. QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS Education and Experience Bachelor’s degree required. 6 years of related automotive experience and/or training is required. Required Licenses Purchasing Certification (CPM / SPSM) is a plus. Skills and Abilities Strong interest in Procurement technology and productivity tools, (e.g. AI, Power BI, etc.) ERP system experience is required. Strong proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint for competitive analysis, commodity market indexes and sourcing requirements. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to understand contracts and negotiations to pricing strategies. Ability to effectively present information to top management and public groups. Write, speak and comprehend English. Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Travel Occasional travel may be required, roughly 25% . COMPETENCIES Cost Consciousness – Works within approved budget; Develops and implements cost saving measures; Contributes to profits and revenue; Conserves organizational resources. Dependability – Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals. Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan. Judgement – Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions. Verbal and Written Communication – Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings. Problem Solving – Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even dealing with emotional topics. Professionalism – Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments. Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to other views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Supports everyone’s efforts to succeed. Technical Proficiency – Familiarity with procurement software and tools. Knowledge of ERP systems and their integration with procurement processes. SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES Individual Contributor: working team member with no oversight of others and no management responsibilities. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS This position is subject to sedentary work; exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Walking and standing are required only occasionally. Perks That Go the Extra Mile : At RealTruck, we take care of our people—because they drive our success. Enjoy great benefits like medical, dental, and vision coverage, company-paid life insurance and disability, and a 401(k) with company match (eligible the first of the month after you start). Need balance? We’ve got wellbeing days and parental leave. Want to grow? Take advantage of educational reimbursement. Plus, earn referral bonuses and score exclusive employee discounts on RealTruck products. Great benefits. Great people. Even better careers. About Real Truck RealTruck is the premier manufacturer and digital destination of accessories for truck, Jeep®, Bronco® and off-road enthusiasts around the world. Globally headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Real Truck’s 5,000 associates operate from 78 facilities across four continents. RealTruck’s industry leading product portfolio, which includes the Husky Liners total vehicle protection brand, boasts over 850 patents and pending applications. The company’s omni-channel retail approach delivers a seamless consumer experience online at RealTruck.com, as well as through its 12,000 dealer network and automotive (OEM) partnerships. For more information, visit www.realtruck.com.

Keywords: RealTruck Group Inc, East Lansing , Sr. Commodity Buyer - Direct Materials, IT / Software / Systems , Ann Arbor, Michigan