Buyer 2-3

Buyer – Aluminum

Position Summary:

Manage the Supply base to meet the strategic objectives of Global Purchasing Excellence (GPE) and the needs of the Customer (Internal / External), Product Business Team’s (PBT’s) and Manufacturing – in terms of Quality, Cost, Delivery, and commercial terms. Responsible for assigned commodity(s) as well as related sourcing strategies, cost reduction matters, and supplier relationships.

Essential Functions:

• Developing, implementing, and managing commodity strategy; evaluate and select suppliers, including global opportunities, negotiation of supply agreements and rationalization of the current supply base.
• Developing and executing cost reduction and productivity initiatives directly aligned with commodity strategy; execute cost reduction programs including project management of supplier transitions.
• Driving continuous improvement in the supply chain in support of business goals utilizing long-term agreements and value engineering.
• Developing and implementing actions to achieve supply chain management goals for commodity: 0 PPM, 100% delivery performance, productivity.
• Supporting and/or leading supplier quality improvement programs related to managed commodity.
• Developing and managing strategic supplier relationships while supporting Bendix / KB supply chain strategies and leveraging global synergies.
• Providing support to plants for strategic and supplier performance issues.
  
  
  

Knowledge:

• Expert in the aspects of supply base methodologies, principles, practices and procedures.
• Understands concepts of production control, material planning, and MRP.
• Possess in-depth knowledge of acquisition regulations.
• Possesses in-depth knowledge regarding the legal requirements associated with purchasing goods and services both domestic and international.
• Understand business marketing and sales needs and have the ability/vision to combine and implement into the supply chain.
• Possesses fundamental knowledge about the assigned category.
  
  
  

Experience:

• Minimum 5-7 years of strategic and tactical experience as a Buyer or purchasing representative. Manufacturing based industry preferred.
• Prior experience in global purchasing organization with usage of ERP, SAP preferred.
• Experience utilizing multiple approaches to achieve cost reduction including negotiation, design changes, and joint supplier programs.
• Exposure to leading teams.
  
  
  

Skills:

• Assist in leading in a global matrix organization while driving superior results.
• Strong ability to negotiate at all levels with proven contracts and cost savings realized for the business.
• Demonstrated leadership skills with the ability to motivate, manage and reward performance, provide constructive feedback and foster individual professional development.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, including active listening, identifying the issue, and driving solutions.
• Proven strength in the ability to multitask, quickly pivot, be target-oriented, with high attention to detail.
• Proven to be results driven with the ability to demonstrate supplier improvement and implement cost reduction programs.
• Self-starter, possessing high degree of self-motivation, creative in nature with the ability to think outside of the box while remaining one step ahead of the problem.
• Demonstrated project management skills that include utilizing an organized approach, setting priorities, identifying risks and opportunities, managing resources, milestones, and costs in a matrix/cross-functional organization.
• Highly organized with the ability to prioritize exceptionally well.
• Excellent communication skills, interpersonal and intercultural sensitivity with the ability to work across all Knorr-Bremse regions and locations.
• Flexible to changes in a fast-paced environment.
  
  
  

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree required, Business, Supply Chain Management or Engineering degree preferred.
• CPM / CPIM a plus
• Green Belt certification preferred.
• Master's degree a plus
  
  
  

Position Requirements:

The demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.