What are the responsibilities and job description for the Purchasing Buyer – Raw Material (Steel) position at AW Technical Center USA?
Job Title: Purchasing Buyer - Raw Material
Company: Aisin World Corp. of America
Department: Purchasing - Raw & Indirect Material
Location: Northville, MI or Seymour, IN
Position Responsibilities
The incumbent is expected to perform the following functions that the company has determined are essential to this position:
Material & Indirect material purchase/cost analysis/ cost reduction:
- Become a commodity expert, develop deep understanding of material types, applications, suppliers and competition in the field, contribute to development of Aisin NA Raw Material strategy.
- Coordinate and analyze total volume usage, spend, and forecasts for material suppliers
- Detail quotation analysis for all cost drivers; total supply chain analysis.
- Cooperate closely with cross-functional team to execute purchasing activities with suppliers, investigate potential suppliers when necessary.
- Assess prospective suppliers for new model programs and localization activities.
- Lead cost reduction activities for Aisin affiliated companies, and support and cooperate with Aisin’s group companies.
- Support commodity purchasing team with (raw) material cost inputs, and cost reduction activities.
- Analysis of various inputs and conditions from cross-functional departments to find cost savings opportunities.
- Responsible for document control for material RFQ’s, LOI’s, ECI’s, quotations, and sourcing documentation.
- Negotiate prices, delivery schedules, payment terms, confidentiality agreements, master purchase agreements, changes in process, terms, engineering requirements, and other items as required with suppliers.
- Prepare reports and presentations as necessary.
Program Development:
- Identify suppliers for new business and review their capabilities per engineering requirements.
- Support Aisin affiliated companies to identify potential suppliers cost competitiveness.
- Facilitate, support, and coordinate activity, visits, and communication between various Aisin groups; i.e. act as window to supplier for Aisin and window to Aisin for supplier.
- Develop and maintain record of supplier assessments.
- Work with design team to identify new, local, or advanced materials for mass or cost savings.
- Manage key supplier relationships effectively.
- Support development of intelligence activities regarding the competitor and supplier information including, but not limited to, new products, product and process improvement, VA / VE, profit improvement, cost reduction and so on.
- Report major, weekly and monthly activities to the Management.
- Operate with “cross-functional” approach and accordingly accept / assume new responsibilities as dictated by business environment.
- Function as a key person to compile / summarize / analyze and communicate necessary data and develop summary and status documents / materials.
- Support development of cost estimations for engineering analysis, business opportunities and other needs as directed.
- Support the launch of new programs, including tracking prototype / trial materials.
- Assist to develop effective plans and strategies for material cost control.
- Establish & control documented activity plans as necessary.
- Develop and execute short-term and long-term plans with other purchasing groups, engineering, and other teams.
- Other tasks and duties as assigned.
Required Skills and Abilities
Essential Skills and Experience:
- 2 - 5 years of demonstrated experience and accomplishments in each of the areas described above.
- Knowledge of steel (critical to negotiate effectively)
- Experience working with steel producers and distributors
- Experience in manufacturing and technical environment.
- Experience in raw/indirect material purchasing for manufacturing processes.
- Understand manufacturing processes and costs associated with those processes.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Demonstrate analytical & negotiation ability.
- Excellent organization and time management skills.
- Ability to work effectively in a collaborative environment.
- Ability to demonstrate patience and verify facts.
- Demonstrated ability to persevere and complete difficult tasks.
Beneficial Skills and Experience
- Experience in automotive industry with understanding of standard job functions and requirements within the industry.
- Experience in multi-cultural environment, preferably Japanese-based.
- Fluency in English with additional language skill in Japanese, Chinese, German, and/or Spanish.
Education/Training/Certifications
- 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.
