Buyer, Regional Direct Category

Job Summary:

Responsible for providing input to the regional and global strategy and leading a sourcing, negotiations and supplier relationship management.

Job Responsibilities:

• Lead sourcing and cost reduction strategies and results for designated commodity..
• Work with the Regional and Global Category Team to understand / escalate issues (cost, supply, quality, etc…)
• Build / Manage relationships with local suppliers.
• Collect and analyze category specific information / support Budget preparation
• Propose strategic path to Regional/Global Category Manager based on the analysis of the information obtained.
• Propose ideas for cost reduction/avoidance and ongoing opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Negotiate annually or as needed with suppliers regarding pricing, terms, tooling, commercial clauses, capacity issues, EOL etc.
• Negotiate and formalize supplier contracts.
• Lead sourcing decisions based on the category strategy and Business Unit expectations and timing requirements.
• Ensure implementation of category strategy.
• Drive supplier performance and compliance.
• Update negotiation strategy based situational changes.
• Support Business Unit in situations related to supplier issues.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Automotive purchasing strongly preferred.
• Regional / global interaction and leadership
• Proven negotiations skills.
• Results orientation with proven implementation skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills including the ability to influence and persuade.
• Demonstrated collaboration, teamwork, relationship building and networking skills.
• Experience coordinating and facilitating several small projects and/or one major project.
• Possess the ability to work independently with minimal direction is required as are strong/effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Fluent in English/Japanese helpful.

Education: Bachelor or Masters degree in Supply Chain, Business or equivalent.

Experience: Minimum of 3 years experience in purchasing or related field.

Job level determined by various factors such as organization size, responsibility, career stage, and capabilities.

Supervisory Responsibilities: N/A

Working conditions:

• Physical Demands: Required to sit or stand for long periods of time. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Have ability to work 40 – 60 hours per week.

• Travel: The candidate will need to travel to suppliers and/or Astemo locations as required. International travel may also be required.