Buyer - Direct Materials

Responsibilities

• Source and qualify suppliers
• Issue and manage purchase orders
• Negotiate pricing, contracts, and delivery terms
• Monitor supplier performance KPIs (quality, delivery, cost)
• Ensure material availability to support production
• Manage inventory levels and reduce excess stock
• Identify cost-saving opportunities and supply chain risks

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end supplier onboarding activities
• Create, issue, and maintain Purchase Orders (POs) in SAP
• Negotiate supplier pricing, delivery schedules, payment terms, confidentiality agreements, and master purchase agreements
• Implement, monitor, and continuously improve purchasing policies, procedures, and processes
• Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate supply chain risks
• Develop and manage strategic supplier relationships
• Collaborate with Production Control teams
• Partner with Legal and Accounting
• Establish, track, and analyze supplier key performance indicators (KPIs)

Specific Duties And Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end supplier onboarding activities
• Create, issue, and maintain Purchase Orders (POs) in SAP
• Negotiate supplier pricing, delivery schedules, payment terms, confidentiality agreements, and master purchase agreements
• Implement, monitor, and continuously improve purchasing policies, procedures, and processes
• Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate supply chain risks
• Develop and manage strategic supplier relationships
• Collaborate with Production Control teams
• Partner with Legal and Accounting
• Establish, track, and analyze supplier key performance indicators (KPIs)

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Finance, Business Administration, Mechanical, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering, or a closely related field, from an accredited institution
• 3+ years of procurement experience preferred; experience in Finance, Quality, Engineering, Manufacturing, or related fields will also be considered
• ERP system experience required; SAP experience is a plus

Training

• Training on systems, processes, and work instructions will be provided

Competencies

• Action-Oriented
• Collaborative
• Results-Driven
• Interpersonally Savvy
• Adaptable

Required Education

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Finance, Business Administration, Mechanical, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering, or a closely related field, from an accredited institution

Required Experience

• 3+ years of procurement experience preferred
• Experience in Finance, Quality, Engineering, Manufacturing, or related fields will also be considered

Required Skills/Licenses/Certifications

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to read, interpret, and apply engineering drawings, technical specifications, and product requirements
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Project)
• Broad technical aptitude with the ability to collaborate effectively across engineering, manufacturing, and supplier organizations
• Highly self-motivated and results-driven, with outstanding time management, prioritization, organizational, and project management skills
• Automotive industry experience preferred
• Proven success managing supplier relationships, supporting new product launches, and driving supplier performance improvements through structured development programs
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a hands-on approach and keen attention to detail
• Demonstrated expertise in contract negotiation, sourcing strategies, and commercial agreement management
• Eager to learn, continuously improve, and contribute in a fast-paced, dynamic environment