Sr. Buyer, Aluminum Casting

Job Purpose

Directs the activities associated with the SCMG managed global spend for a designated commodity category. Responsible for identification and evaluation of North American opportunities within the commodity category for reduction of spend, consolidation of process, function, and continuity of supply. Manages the Dana contracts within the commodity category and reports the metrics associated with them. Delivers continuous improvement in cost process and services within the commodity category. Will be responsible for requests for information (RFI) or quote (RFQ). Generates recommendations based on Total Cost of Ownership comparisons. Monitors and reports on activities associated with named commodity category.

Responsibilities

• Formulate annual business plans for achievement of cost reductions and year‑over‑year performance improvement.
• Obtain and analyze quotes to determine best value and recommend global sourcing solutions based on data and facts collected.
• Develop and explain commodity strategy; follow and track strategy for basic commodities; understand commodity strategy templates and create static current‑state strategies.
• Utilize capability matrices to develop strategy.
• Provide documentation for sourcing councils, including total landed cost analysis (duty, freight, packaging, surcharge, payment terms, and other financial factors) and understand SSA status and financial risk.
• Consistently use IPOs in quoting new business and consider global spend for all suppliers.
• Maintain control of multiple projects to meet timing, anticipate and resolve roadblocks for successful PPAP and launch; monitor technical review progress with cross‑functional teams and track OISRs to program milestones.
• Understand financial and strategic impacts of agreements, negotiate complex supplier issues with minimal supervision, and apply tactics to maximize Dana’s leverage.
• Prepare and review complete RFQ packages, negotiate basic contract terms, determine contract type, and leverage key points beyond price in accordance with Dana’s standard Terms and Conditions.
• Monitor supplier performance, audit results, elevate issues, review corrective actions, hold regular performance review meetings, and measure compliance to agreements.
• Track savings projects, report forecasts and actuals in Savings Tracker, and understand supplier surcharge mechanisms.
• Work proactively with other departments to reduce inventory needs and manage supply chain workflows, removing non‑value‑added work.
• Challenge the status quo, engage support from functional groups, and make comprehensive recommendations for process improvements, including DOS‑related activities.
• Lead benchmarking, VA/VE, Lean, Resourcing, LPP analysis, and value‑stream‑mapping events independently.
• Generate improvement options using the savings toolbox and promote cost‑reduction activities with key suppliers, sharing best practices.

Qualifications

• Four‑year degree in Business (Supply Chain Management or Purchasing preferred) or Engineering (Product or Manufacturing).
• Professional supply‑chain certification preferred.
• 3–5 years of procurement experience preferred.
• Strong team player with ability to work effectively on cross‑functional teams.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Professional demeanor when representing Dana.
• Willingness to travel as required (approximately 10%).

Skills

• Ability to prioritize tasks, manage deadlines, and work on multiple assignments.
• Analytical skills to distill complex issues into workable parts and anticipate consequences of alternatives.
• Intellectual capability to achieve objectives and maximize results.
• Creative problem‑solving and use of lean/value‑stream methodologies.
• Capability to identify process deficiencies and employ resources for optimization.
• Relationship‑building across the corporation to facilitate inter‑divisional cooperation.
• Provide prompt, courteous, and attentive service to internal and external customers.
• Self‑awareness, continuous improvement of personal performance, and ability to inspire others.
• Effective delegation, motivation, and resource leveraging to meet objectives.
• Establish open, candid, and trusting relationships; handle conflicts fairly and consistently.
• Support implementation and maintenance of lean value and related value streams.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills for working with all levels inside and outside Dana.
• Familiarity with procurement and quality supplier metrics, flow‑down to contracts and performance reviews.
• Understanding of blueprints and technical specifications.
• Strong PC skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office.