Indirect Commodity Buyer

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for assigned indirect commodities (e.g., MRO, capital equipment, facilities services, tooling, logistics, utilities, professional services).
• Conduct RFQs, RFPs, and reverse auctions aligned with Tenneco’s global sourcing framework.
• Lead competitive bidding processes and negotiate pricing, terms, and long-term agreements.
• Identify dual-source strategies to mitigate supply and geopolitical risk.
• Support capital investment procurement initiatives in alignment with plant expansion and modernization programs.
• Deliver annual cost reduction targets through:
• Supplier consolidation
• Volume leverage
• Contract renegotiation
• Total cost of ownership modeling
• Partner with engineering and plant leadership on CapEx procurement optimization.
• Track savings through validated financial reporting processes.
• Evaluate supplier performance using KPIs (OTD, quality, cost competitiveness, service levels).
• Lead quarterly business reviews (QBRs) with strategic suppliers.
• Ensure compliance with corporate ESG, safety, and quality standards.
• Drive supplier innovation and continuous improvement initiative.
• Cross Functional Collaboration
• Partner with - Plant operations including: Engineering, Finance, Maintenance, Corporate stakeholders
• Ensure procurement governance and spend compliance.
• Support ERP procurement processes (SAP / Oracle / etc.).
• Risk & Compliance
• Assess supplier financial stability and risk exposure.
• Mitigate tariff, inflation, and supply chain disruptions.
• Ensure contractual protection and regulatory compliance.
• Support internal audit and SOX controls.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or related field
• 5+ years automotive procurement experience (indirect preferred)
• Strong negotiation and contract management skills
• Experience supporting multi-site manufacturing operations
• Proficiency in ERP systems and sourcing tools
• Knowledge of CapEx procurement highly preferred
• Demonstrated background and proven experience with managing large amounts of data in systems and manipulation with pivot tables, VLOOKUP or BOT programming
• Demonstrated background and proven experience with negotiations and analytical skills
• Ability to utilize Microsoft Office and navigate ERP systems (i.e., SAP and other)
• Excellent interpersonal, detailed-oriented, and English communication skills