Senior Buyer

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The Senior Buyer is responsible for the procurement of direct and indirect materials, components, equipment, and services required to support manufacturing operations at Tenneco's Blacksburg facility. This position develops and manages supplier relationships, negotiates pricing and contracts, drives cost reduction initiatives, ensures on-time material delivery, and supports inventory optimization efforts. The Senior Buyer works closely with Operations, Planning, Engineering, Quality, Finance, and suppliers to maintain uninterrupted production while achieving quality, delivery, and cost objectives.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Procurement and Supply Continuity

• Procure direct and indirect materials required to support production schedules.
• Monitor supplier delivery performance and proactively address supply risks.
• Review material requirements, forecasts, and inventory levels to ensure adequate supply.
• Expedite critical materials as necessary to prevent production interruptions.
• Coordinate with Production Planning and Materials teams to support customer demand requirements.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with suppliers.
• Evaluate supplier performance related to quality, delivery, responsiveness, and cost competitiveness.
• Lead supplier meetings and business reviews.
• Support supplier corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Participate in supplier selection, qualification, and sourcing activities.

Cost Management and Strategic Sourcing

• Lead sourcing activities, RFQs, RFIs, and competitive bidding processes.
• Negotiate pricing, contracts, terms, and service agreements.
• Identify and implement cost savings, value engineering, and supplier rationalization opportunities.
• Analyze market trends, commodity pricing, and supply chain risks.
• Track and report cost savings, cost avoidance, and productivity improvements.

Inventory and Material Management

• Collaborate with Operations and Materials teams to maintain optimal inventory levels.
• Support efforts to reduce obsolete and excess inventory.
• Assist with inventory accuracy initiatives, cycle counts, and physical inventories.
• Monitor supplier lead times and adjust purchasing strategies as business needs change.

Cross-Functional Support

• Partner with Engineering on new product launches, material changes, and supplier transitions.
• Work with Quality to resolve supplier quality issues.
• Support Finance with budgeting, cost analysis, and purchasing-related reporting.
• Participate in continuous improvement and lean manufacturing initiatives.
• Support plant objectives related to safety, quality, delivery, cost, and employee engagement.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations Management, Engineering, or related field preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.

Experience

• 5+ years of purchasing, procurement, supply chain, or sourcing experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience negotiating supplier contracts and pricing agreements.
• Automotive or industrial manufacturing experience preferred.
• Experience working with ERP/MRP systems.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Technical Skills

• Strategic sourcing and supplier negotiation.
• Cost analysis and savings project management.
• Inventory management and material planning.
• Microsoft Excel, Power BI, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Contract review and supplier performance management.

Soft Skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• High level of professionalism, integrity, and accountability.
• Ability to work effectively with all levels of the organization.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in both office and manufacturing environments.
• Occasional travel to supplier locations and Tenneco facilities.
• Ability to sit, stand, walk, and use standard office equipment for extended periods.

Success Metrics

• Material availability and production support.
• Annual cost savings achievement.
• Inventory turns and inventory accuracy.
• Supplier quality performance.
• Successful completion of sourcing and continuous improvement projects.

Role Impact: This role plays a critical part in ensuring uninterrupted production, supporting customer commitments, driving cost competitiveness, and maintaining a world-class supply base for the Tenneco Blacksburg operation.