Senior Strategic Buyer - Capital Projects

Capex Buyer

The Asahi Kasei Group operates with a commitment of creating for tomorrow. Our business sectors, Material, Homes, and Health Care, contribute to the development of society by anticipating the changing needs of those around the world. We look for candidates that offer a fresh perspective and a variety of skills to help us achieve our commitment.

We are currently seeking applications to fill the following job opening at Celgard where we develop and manufacture membrane battery separators that are critical components used in lithium-ion batteries for electric drive vehicles (EDVs) and energy storage systems (ESS).

Company: Celgard, LLC

Job Description: For more than 50 years, Celgard has proven itself as a global leader in the development and production of high-performance membrane technology. Celgard specializes in solvent-free, dry-process, microporous membranes used as separators that are a major component of lithium-ion batteries that power a broad range of electric vehicles (EV) and energy storage systems (ESS). Celgard® membrane is also used in specialty applications such as satellites and military installations as well as other barrier-type applications like technical textiles for waterproof and breathable apparel. Headquartered in the United States, we operate manufacturing facilities in the U.S. and China and have sales and technical service staff located strategically throughout North America, Europe, and Asia.

Celgard, LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Polypore International, LP, an Asahi Kasei Company. With manufacturing facilities or sales offices in nine countries serving six continents, Polypore brings advanced development and manufacturing know-how as well as unique problem-solving capabilities to customers' lithium-ion and lead-acid battery development teams. The Asahi Kasei Group is a diversified group of companies led by holding company Asahi Kasei Corp., with operations in the material, homes, and health care business sectors. With more than 46,000 employees around the world, the Asahi Kasei Group serves customers in more than 100 countries. We are Creating for Tomorrow!

About the Role: We are seeking a Capex Buyer to be a part of the procurement team based in Charlotte, NC. This position is responsible for ensuring best total cost for equipment, services, and materials procured for Celgard US sites. The position's primary focus will be on CAPEX procurement, but it will also include direct and indirect material purchases based on needs of procurement team.

Reporting Relationships: This position directly reports to the Director, Procurement and does not supervise others.

Asahi Kasei and Celgard Values:

• Sincerity – Being sincere with everyone
• Challenge – Bolding taking challenges, continually seeking change
• Creativity – Creating new value through unity and synergy

Key Accountabilities:

• Procurement of equipment and services for Celgard sites.
• Procurement of direct and indirect materials for Celgard US sites per Celgard's strategic and transactional purchasing processes.
• Leadership of procurement efforts relating to CAPEX projects including supplier identification, RFQ and bid alignment process, and working with cross functional team on execution of project to ensure on cost, on time, on spec.
• Support of project managers and project engineers in developing and adhering to project timelines.
• Tracking and communicating status on procurement project tasks.
• Management of vendors in all aspects, including relationship development, vendor qualification and audit, price and contract negotiation etc.
• Supplier development to improve cost, working capital, quality, delivery, and joint innovation.
• Development of alternative suppliers to establish dual sourcing opportunities to reduce risk.
• Worksite located full time at the Charlotte, NC production plant with flexibility for hybrid work as appropriate.

Qualifications:

Education Background:

• B.S. or B.A degree in Business, Logistics, Purchasing Materials Management or related college degree required, or equivalent experience

Knowledge & Experience:

• 7+ years of purchasing or other relevant experience is required
• Prior experience with Capex is required; direct material procurement experience is a plus
• CPIM or CPSM certification is a plus
• Must have previous experience working with cross functional global teams
• Must be proficient with Microsoft Office – Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook; Experience in ERP systems is required

Key Attributes:

• Must have strong negotiation skills – ability to negotiate pricing and terms for goods and services
• Must have good communication skills - ability to communicate at all levels within the organization including suppliers, site manager, and site employees
• Must have good project management skills – ability to define project scope, develop and track timelines, and summarize results for cost reduction or other purchasing driven projects

Travel:

• Travel 10%
• Infrequent International travel may be required

Working Environment: This position is in a manufacturing plant setting that would require working in a production environment around chemicals.

Celgard manufacturing sites are IATF 16949 and ISO 9001 certified.

As an equal opportunity employer, Asahi Kasei believes a diverse workforce will provide us with the ability to continuously support the changes in the economy, society, and environment.