Purchasing Buyer - Metal Forming

About the Role

This position provides support to the Commodity Purchasing department within a metal forming company.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate pricing, delivery schedules, payment terms, confidentiality agreements, master purchase agreements, changes in process, terms, engineering requirements, and other items with suppliers.
• Perform detailed quotation analysis and negotiation for all cost drivers.
• Support the launch of new programs, including negotiating and price establishment of prototype/trial materials.
• Evaluate new supplier performance and information.
• Approve requisitions and monitor invoicing for variances and supplier performance.
• Support preparation of annual budget plans (including purchases, manpower, expenses, etc.) for each location and all assigned components and suppliers, collaborating with manufacturing plant site purchasing members to finalize the total budget plan by plant.
• Support development and standardization of processes in conjunction with AWA systems & processes and manufacturing plant needs for all Commodity-assigned components (including strategy, negotiation tactics, processes, policies, etc.).
• Lead activities for Commodity purchasing, including:
  • Developing forms, processes, and systems for Commodity central purchasing.
  • Supporting other AISIN purchasing groups for similar products and processes.
  • Executing communized purchasing activities with suppliers and potential suppliers.
  • Developing total supply chain cost analysis.
• Support the Commodity procurement team (and other teams as appropriate) for cost reduction activities, including cooperation with AISIN affiliated companies.
• Support sub-tier negotiations and purchasing as necessary.
• Coordinate and analyze total volume usage, forecasts, and total material buy for Commodity suppliers.
• Manage related processes for quotations, Letters of Intent, Feasibility Studies, Engineering Changes, capacity investigations, etc.
• Analyze inputs and conditions from cross-functional departments to identify cost savings opportunities.
• Coordinate and communicate with cross-functional teams at AWA, manufacturing plants, and AISIN Group companies (both domestic and overseas).
• Coordinate with SPTT members to conduct supplier business audits.
• Assess prospective suppliers for new model programs and localization activities in conjunction with strategic project purchasing members and SPTT.
• Support development of commodity purchase strategies.
• Identify suppliers for new business and review their capabilities per engineering requirements.
• Prepare reports and presentations as necessary.
• Gain consensus from multiple manufacturing plants and recommend sourcing decisions.
• Act as Supplier champion to AISIN and voice of AISIN to supplier.
• Develop and maintain records of supplier assessments for commodity suppliers.
• Work with the design team to identify new, local, or advanced materials and processes for mass or cost savings.
• Perform other tasks and duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Effective written and verbal communication skills for internal and external contacts.
• Ability to create effective memos and letters.
• Capable of analyzing quotations, developing budgets, and understanding cost impact.
• Ability to comprehend technical and business correspondence.
• Ability to analyze manufacturing processes and blueprints.
• Strong computer skills including Excel, and the ability to create graphs, spreadsheets, and charts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, other Applied Science, or Purchasing/Supply Chain Management is preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business or other non-technical area is acceptable based on proven technical skill.

Skills

• Experience in the automotive industry with an understanding of standard job functions and requirements.
• Prior purchasing experience in the automotive industry or industrial environment.
• Experience in a multi-cultural environment, preferably Japanese-based.
• Experience in logistics, customs, and duties/tariff.
• Fluency in English with additional language skills in Japanese, Chinese, German, and/or Spanish.