Buyer 1-3, Machining & Forging

Position Summary

Manage the supply base to meet the strategic objectives of Global Procurement and the needs of internal and external customers, product groups, and manufacturing in terms of quality, cost, delivery, and commercial terms. Independently manage assigned commodities and suppliers, execute sourcing strategies, lead negotiations, drive cost reduction and supplier performance improvement initiatives, and support more complex cross-functional procurement activities.

Essential Functions

• Develop, implement, and manage commodity strategies for assigned categories; evaluate and select suppliers, assess global sourcing opportunities, negotiate supply agreements, and support supply base rationalization.
• Assist with supplier management activities for assigned lower-complexity commodities, with development toward independently managing selected suppliers and standard components over time.
• Collect and analyze supplier quotations, pricing changes, delivery information, and basic cost drivers to support sourcing decisions and negotiations.
• Coordinate with engineering, quality, operations, planning, finance, and suppliers to support part changes, supplier performance follow-up, launch readiness, and continuity of supply.
• Support cost reduction, productivity, and supplier improvement initiatives by preparing data, tracking actions, following up on open items, and documenting savings or avoidance opportunities.
• Learn and apply procurement processes, ERP/SAP transactions, supplier communication practices, and internal approval workflows under guidance from the category team.
• Develop capability to manage supplier issues, escalate risks, support recovery actions, and contribute to long-term supply base strategy as experience grows.

Knowledge

• Foundational understanding of purchasing, supply chain, supplier management, and basic business processes, with willingness and ability to learn procurement practices quickly.
• Basic knowledge of manufacturing environments, supplier performance measures, and quality, delivery, cost, and responsiveness expectations.
• Developing understanding of how business, engineering, operations, manufacturing, and purchasing priorities connect.
• Basic familiarity with ERP/MRP concepts and purchasing systems; SAP experience or exposure preferred but not required.

Experience

• 1-3 years of purchasing, supply chain, operations, manufacturing, engineering, or related experience; strong co-op, internship, or rotational program experience will be considered.
• Preferred experience or exposure managing, supporting, or purchasing C-class components, including nuts, bolts, washers, labels, fasteners, or other standard components.
• Nice to have basic exposure to stampings, machining, forgings, special components, supplier quotations, part drawings, bills of material, or manufacturing cost drivers.
• Experience working with ERP or purchasing systems preferred; SAP exposure is a plus.
• Exposure to quote analysis, supplier follow-up, cost reduction support, negotiation preparation, or project tracking is preferred but not required.

Skills

• High learning agility with a strong interest in procurement, supplier management, manufacturing, and commercial problem solving.
• Strong attention to detail, follow-through, organization, and ability to manage multiple priorities with guidance.
• Analytical mindset with ability to review quotes, pricing data, supplier information, part details, and basic cost drivers.
• Effective communication skills with ability to interact professionally with suppliers and internal stakeholders across engineering, quality, operations, planning, and finance.
• Problem-solving capability, including active listening, issue identification, data review, escalation, and timely follow-up.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced, matrixed environment with willingness to learn global and regional procurement processes.
• Basic negotiation awareness preferred, including preparation, data gathering, supplier communication, and support for commercial discussions.

Education

• Bachelor's degree required; Business, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Operations, Manufacturing, or related field preferred.
• Co-op, internship, or academic project experience in Purchasing, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Engineering, or Operations is strongly preferred.