Senior Advanced Purchaser (AP)

AUMOVIO, spun off from the former Continental Automotive group in September 2025, is an independent technology and electronics company focused on making mobility safe, exciting, connected, and autonomous. The company offers sensor solutions, displays, braking and comfort systems, and expertise in software, architecture platforms, and assistance systems for software-defined vehicles. In fiscal year 2024, AUMOVIO generated sales of €19.6 billion and employs approximately 87,000 people across more than 100 locations worldwide.

About the role

As an Advanced Purchasing (AP) representative, you will lead component sourcing from the acquisition phase through product development, starting with the concept phase until Start of Production (SOP), and support purchasing activities in series production. You will act as the interface to purchasing categories, participate in material strategy development derived from the business area (BA) technology roadmap, and translate this into actionable strategies for category management. This role involves high sourcing complexity and innovative product development with a very high Bill of Materials (BOM) complexity.

Responsibilities

• Product Development Process:
  • Control supplier-related milestones during product development to ensure on-time component sourcing.
  • Ensure early supplier involvement (e.g., Early Supplier Involvement - ESI) during the concept phase if requested.
  • Maintain and document supplier and material status (e.g., for Gate Reviews).
  • Drive and control the change management process for components with suppliers, categories, and Supplier Quality Management (SQM) until SOP.
• Component Sourcing and Supplier Selection:
  • Lead the sourcing team in accordance with the automotive sourcing process, tracking sourcing planning and execution from kick-off to supplier nomination.
  • Drive sourcing to achieve best cost and quality (capacity), meeting all project milestones to guarantee supplier nomination at PLC gate 55.
  • Send request for quotation to selected suppliers, order B/C component samples, and support category purchasing in negotiations.
  • Safeguard supplier risk exposure related to geo-hazard, geo-political, financial, technical, and supply risks.
  • Create and maintain sourcing documentation until official nomination (eSign).
  • Track component development and validation with SQM until successful SOP.
  • Ensure a smooth and comprehensive hand-over to plant purchasing by PLC gate 80.
• Cost Management:
  • Achieve the best cost bill-of-material from acquisition phase to SOP.
  • Hold commercial responsibility for material costs of BA products; generate and maintain BOM view.
  • Actively participate in design-to-cost activities during product concept/development to meet material cost targets during the acquisition phase (PCIS → customer award).
  • Calculate and control BOM during acquisition and project phases to meet target costs of BA products.
  • Responsible for sourcing after SOP, including capacity extensions and cost optimization.
  • Initiate or support redesign-to-cost (ReDTC) or cost reduction programs (CRP) for BA products after SOP.
  • Evaluate cost optimization ideas with Engineering and prepare decision papers.
  • Track the introduction of material-related ReDTC measures.
• BA Material Strategy Development:
  • Translate BA product/technology roadmap into component/technology roadmap.
  • Conduct strategy reviews with main categories to identify needs for actions, white spots, and supplier development activities.
  • Initiate scouting activities with category management to close white spots.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in purchasing, project management, quality, or a related field.
• Experience working with multicultural teams.
• Work experience in the automotive industry.
• Legal authorization to work in the U.S. (AUMOVIO will not sponsor employment visas for this role).
• Relocation assistance is not offered for this position.

Additional Qualifications

• Experience working with international teams on purchasing issues.
• Experience in project-based purchasing.

Benefits

• Immediate benefits and a robust total rewards package.
• Paid time off.
• Employee discounts.
• Competitive bonus programs.
• 401k match for employees.
• Diverse and inclusive work environment with 20+ Employee Resource Groups.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Future growth opportunities, both personal and professional.