Senior Category Buyer

Overview The Direct Category Buyer plays a key role in managing supplier relationships and overseeing procurement strategies within assigned commodities. This role requires deep product knowledge and strong sourcing acumen to ensure suppliers meet company standards for quality, cost, and delivery while promoting continuous improvement and innovation. Minimum Qualifications Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or a related field. Minimum 5 years of experience in purchasing or a closely related field. Willingness and ability to travel to suppliers and Astemo facilities as needed (domestic and international). Preferred Qualifications Procurement experience in the automotive industry. Strong background in casting and rubber parts sourcing and strategy. Experience with SAP. Bilingual fluency in English and Japanese is a plus. Key Responsibilities Collect and analyze category, regional, and supplier-specific data. Recommend strategic direction to the Global Category Manager based on market intelligence. Propose and implement cost reduction, avoidance, and continuous improvement initiatives. Contribute to annual budget planning and forecasting activities. Lead negotiations with suppliers (pricing, payment terms, tooling, commercial terms, capacity, EOL, etc.). Formalize and manage supplier contracts. Own sourcing decisions within assigned categories, aligning with global strategy and BU timelines. Support Business Units during acquisition phases with cost estimates and “should-cost” analysis via the Cost Engineering team. Ensure implementation of global/regional category strategies. Assist in Value Engineering/Cost (VEC) initiatives and supplier negotiations. Report KPIs by supplier and part number. Develop and manage relationships with regional and local suppliers. Monitor and track supplier performance and ensure compliance. Adjust negotiation strategies based on supplier conditions and market dynamics. Support issue resolution and supplier escalations in collaboration with Business Units and regional teams. Required Skills and Abilities Ability to work independently with minimal supervision. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Proven negotiation and contract management skills. Results-oriented with a demonstrated ability to implement strategic initiatives. Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to influence, collaborate, and build relationships across teams. Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word). Effective time management, organization, and problem-solving abilities. Working Conditions Primarily office-based (hybrid schedule), with regular interaction in factory environments. Occasional exposure to noise typical of manufacturing settings. Domestic and international travel required, depending on supplier and business needs. Physical & Mental Requirements Ability to sit for extended periods. Visual acuity to work accurately with data, documents, and computer monitors. Equal Opportunity Employer We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristics protected by law. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. #J-18808-Ljbffr