Buyer

We're hiring an experienced Buyer who takes ownership of purchasing decisions, builds strong supplier relationships, and understands the importance of keeping laboratory operations running efficiently.

At Savant Labs, purchasing is more than placing orders. It's about anticipating needs, managing costs, solving problems, and ensuring our laboratory and supporting teams have the materials, supplies, and equipment needed to deliver accurate, dependable testing services to our customers.

We're looking for a proactive, detail-oriented purchasing professional who can work independently, negotiate competitive pricing, and identify opportunities to improve purchasing practices. The right person knows how to balance cost, quality, and delivery while maintaining strong relationships with suppliers and internal teams.

Who We Are

Savant Labs is an independent, ISO-accredited lubrication testing laboratory and research center based in Midland, Michigan, with more than five decades of experience. We help automotive, heavy-duty diesel, turbine, and industrial customers evaluate and develop fluids, oils, and greases through standardized and custom testing.

As part of Savant Group, we combine specialized technical expertise with a commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction.

Our PACE values guide how we work every day:

• Proactive – We communicate early, anticipate challenges, and take initiative to keep things moving forward.
• Accountable – We take ownership of our responsibilities, decisions, and results.
• Committed – We work together, follow through on commitments, and continuously look for ways to improve.
• Excelling – We hold ourselves to high standards because quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction matter.

The Opportunity

As our Buyer, you'll independently manage purchasing activities that support Savant Labs' daily operations, including laboratory consumables, maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) supplies, replacement parts, equipment, and other essential materials.

Reporting to the Director of Laboratory Operations, you'll work closely with laboratory personnel, internal departments, and external suppliers to ensure materials are available when needed, purchasing costs are managed effectively, and operational requirements are met.

Key Responsibilities

• Independently manage the purchasing of laboratory consumables, MRO supplies, replacement parts, equipment, and other materials supporting daily laboratory and business operations.
• Review purchasing requests, inventory requirements, and departmental priorities to determine appropriate suppliers, purchasing quantities, and delivery timelines.
• Prepare, issue, and manage purchase orders, ensuring accuracy of pricing, quantities, specifications, and delivery requirements.
• Establish and maintain effective supplier relationships, negotiating competitive pricing, discounts, and purchasing terms.
• Obtain and evaluate supplier quotations based on pricing, availability, lead times, shipping costs, and overall value.
• Monitor purchase orders, confirm supplier acknowledgments, track shipments, and expedite deliveries to prevent operational disruptions.
• Coordinate with Laboratory Operations, Manufacturing, Facilities, Engineering, and other departments to anticipate and support purchasing needs.
• Monitor inventory levels, purchasing history, and usage trends to support timely replenishment of frequently purchased materials.
• Maintain accurate purchasing, supplier, and inventory information within the ERP/MRP system.
• Identify opportunities to reduce purchasing costs through competitive sourcing, supplier consolidation, and improvements to purchasing processes.
• Proactively resolve material shortages, extended lead times, supplier performance concerns, and other purchasing challenges.
• Work with Receiving, Accounts Payable, and suppliers to resolve shipment, invoice, pricing, and material discrepancies.
• Support inventory accuracy and continuous improvement of purchasing practices.

Qualifications

• Minimum of three (3) years of purchasing or procurement experience required; experience in a manufacturing, laboratory, or similar operational environment preferred.
• Associate degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
• Experience independently managing purchase orders, supplier relationships, and purchasing priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to negotiate supplier pricing and resolve purchasing or delivery issues.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems required; Global Shop or a comparable system preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to evaluate purchasing options, manage competing priorities, and make sound decisions independently.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills to build productive relationships with suppliers and internal teams.
• Proactive, results-oriented approach with a focus on cost efficiency, material availability, and continuous improvement.

What Success Looks Like at Savant Labs

We're looking for someone who doesn't wait for a purchasing issue to become an operational problem. Someone who understands the importance of reliable suppliers, accurate purchasing records, and having the right materials available when our laboratory teams need them.

The right person takes pride in negotiating competitive pricing, managing purchasing priorities, and finding practical solutions when challenges arise.

Success means being a dependable purchasing partner who takes ownership of their responsibilities, contributes to cost savings, and helps ensure Savant Labs continues delivering quality testing services to our customers.

Comprehensive Benefits

We know great work happens when people feel supported, both on and off the clock. Here's what you can expect as part of the Savant Labs team:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance: Comprehensive coverage options for you and your family, including plans with employer-paid coverage.
• Life & Disability Insurance: Company-provided life insurance and disability benefits for financial protection and peace of mind.
• Paid Time Off & Holidays: Paid vacation and sick time, plus 11 paid company holidays.
• Flexible Work Hours: Scheduling flexibility where business and operational needs allow.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan: Build your financial future with a company-sponsored retirement plan and competitive employer match.
• Educational Assistance: Tuition reimbursement and professional development opportunities to support continued growth.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential mental health, financial, legal, and personal well-being resources.
• Employee Events & Recognition: Monthly employee activities, celebrations, and opportunities to connect with colleagues.
• Career Development: Opportunities to expand your skills and contribute to a growing technical organization.

Ready to Join Savant Labs?

If you're an experienced Buyer who enjoys solving problems, values independence, and takes pride in supporting operational success, we encourage you to apply.

Savant Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation or other assistance during the application process, please contact our Human Resources Department at 989-496-2301 or email humanresources@savantgroup.com.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

To learn more about Savant Labs, please visit: www.savantlab.com