Buyer Senior

Job Purpose

Oversees strategic activities related to SCMG-managed global spend within the forgings commodity category. Responsible for identifying and evaluating cost‑reduction opportunities across North America, with a focus on process consolidation, functional optimization, and ensuring continuity of supply. Manages Dana’s forging contracts and tracks associated performance metrics. Drives continuous improvement in cost, processes, and service delivery within the category. Leads the development and execution of Requests for Information (RFI) and Requests for Quotation (RFQ), providing data‑driven recommendations based on Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analysis. Monitors and reports on key initiatives and performance indicators tied to the forgings commodity.

Responsibilities

• Formulate annual business plans for achievement of cost reductions and year‑over‑year performance improvement.
• Obtain and analyze quotes to determine best value, then recommend global sourcing solutions based on data and facts collected.
• Layout and explain a commodity strategy; follow and track the strategy for basic commodities; understand all aspects of commodity strategy templates.
• Create a strategy (may be limited to current state) and utilize capability matrices to develop strategy.
• Provide proper documentation for review at sourcing councils, including total landed cost analysis (duty, freight, packaging, surcharge, payment terms, and other financial factors) and understanding of SSA status and financial risk.
• Consistently utilize IPOs in quoting new business and consider global spend for all suppliers.
• Maintain control of multiple projects to meet timing and anticipate and resolve roadblocks for successful part PPAP and launch.
• Monitor technical review progress with cross‑functional teams; ensure OISRs are updated and tracked to program milestones.
• Understand financial and strategic impacts of agreed “gives” and “gets” to optimize value to Dana and negotiate complex supplier issues with minimal supervision.
• Position Dana with maximum leverage; send out and review complete RFQ packages and negotiate basic contract terms; understand contract types, key leverage points beyond price, and Dana’s standard Terms and Conditions.
• Monitor supplier performance, audit results, and elevate issues for resolution; review corrective actions for sustained results.
• Hold regular performance review meetings with key stakeholders and measure compliance to agreements.
• Track savings projects and report accurate forecasts and actuals in Savings Tracker; understand supplier surcharge mechanisms.
• Work proactively with other departments to reduce inventory needs; manage the supply chain to ensure optimum workflows and remove non‑value‑added work.
• Challenge the status quo and engage help and support from other functional groups; make specific, comprehensive recommendations for process improvements.
• Lead improvement activities (Benchmarking, VA/VE, Lean, Resourcing, LPP analysis, Value Stream mapping) with assistance; think creatively to generate improvement options using the savings toolbox.
• Promote cost‑reduction activities with key suppliers and share best practices.

Education and Qualifications

• Four‑year degree in Business (Supply Chain Management or Purchasing preferred) or Engineering (Product or Manufacturing).
• Professional supply‑chain certification preferred.
• 5–7 years of experience in procurement preferred.
• Strong team player, able to work effectively on cross‑functional teams.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Maintains an organized and professional manner when representing Dana.
• Willingness to travel as required (estimated 10%).

Skills

• Ability to prioritize work, manage deadlines, and handle multiple tasks.
• Analytical ability to distill complex issues into workable parts and anticipate consequences of alternative options.
• Intellectual capability to achieve objectives and maximize results.
• Determined, engaged, thoughtful approach to day‑to‑day work.
• Knowledge of global organizational issues and ability to apply it to own work.
• Identify process deficiencies and employ resources to optimize.
• Support and personalize needed change within the organization.
• Develop relationships across the corporation to facilitate inter‑divisional cooperation and cross‑functional asset utilization.
• Provide prompt, courteous, and attentive service to internal and external customers.
• Make effective decisions without guidance, even outside direct responsibilities.
• Recognize needed talents, skills, and behaviors; demonstrate self‑awareness and take action to improve performance.
• Inspire others to set and achieve standards of excellence; engage and commit others to objectives and overcome resistance.
• Delegate, motivate, focus, and leverage resources to meet objectives.
• Establish open, candid, and trusting relationships; treat others fairly and consistently.
• Handle conflicts and issues impacting working relationships.
• Support implementation and maintenance of lean value and related value streams.
• Demonstrate high cooperation and collaboration with internal and external relationships.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills for working with people at all levels.
• Familiarity with procurement and quality supplier metrics, flow‑down to supplier contracts and performance reviews.
• Understanding of blueprints and technical specifications.
• Strong personal computer skills, including experience with MS Office.