Senior Buyer

Job Description

Job Description

Summary
The Toyoda Gosei Group is a leading global manufacturer of rubber and plastic automotive components, safety systems and LEDs. Globally Headquartered in Japan with a network of 67 group companies in 17 countries and regions, the Group brings its extensive range of products to customers all over the world.

Toyoda Gosei North America (headquartered in Troy, MI) has an opening for a Senior Buyer in the Purchasing department. The Senior Buyer is responsible for providing professional level production related procurement across Toyoda Gosei (TG) North America Corporation (TGNA) and TGNA Manufacturing Companies (AMCs).

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
• Drive cost savings initiatives such as annual price review, VA/VE, and others as assigned
• Lead Annual Price Review negotiations with existing suppliers for cost reductions
• Lead VA/VE activities with suppliers and TG cross functional groups to drive cost savings
• Negotiate price increases and tariffs with suppliers
• Implement sourcing & new program launch activities with new/existing materials
• Participate in new program launch activities with manufacturing plants, cross functional departments, and suppliers
• Issue, collect, negotiate and analyze RFQ’s and cost breakdowns with new and existing suppliers
• Analyze and forecast market data for price negotiations and budget preparation
• Maintain purchase order data and ensure approvals for upcoming purchases
• Develop commodity strategies that align with current market and business needs
• Communicate with TG Japan (HQ) regarding global commodity strategies
• Lead Purchasing’s annual cost saving target setting and strategy development
• Partner with TG cross functional groups and locations in new material development, commercial agreement strategies, commodity sourcing strategies, and cost reduction initiatives
• Function in a highly collaborative environment where flexibility and teamwork are critical to success
• Drive optimization by being actively engaged in continuous improvement efforts
• Manage and resolve supplier issues as needed
• Travel to TG manufacturing plants and supplier as needed
• Drive optimization by being actively engaged in continuous improvement efforts (kaizen)
• This role requires the completion of other duties as assigned

Required Education, Experience, and Skills
Certifications and Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Business or related field, or equivalent years of experience is required

Experience

• 4 to 8 Years of experience in Purchasing function are required
• Strong desire to learn all aspects of Purchasing and a willingness to expand to other commodities is required
• Exposure to the development of short and long-term global purchasing strategy is required

Physical Requirements

• The physical 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.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

Technology Competencies

• Proficiency using Microsoft Office Suites 2016 or newer and Power BI is required
• Proficiency using Microsoft SharePoint, Power Automate and AI related tools such as Copilot is preferred

Work Environment

• Office Environment

Additional Competencies

• Ability to consistently meet deadlines is required
• Effective verbal, non-verbal, negotiation and written communication skills are required
• Ability to sustain a high degree of professionalism in interacting with internal and external customers is required
• Effective attention to detail, problem solving, analytical and organizational skills are required
• Strong organizational skills, analytical thinking skills, problem solving and project scheduling skills is required