Operations Buyer

What you will be doing:

• Responsible for all purchasing activities for assigned local programs in production, ensuring effective execution throughout the production lifecycle, including service support and program close-out.
• Serves as a key interface across cross-functional teams, including Program Management, Production, Material Planning, Logistics, and Inventory, while also acting as the primary link between the plant and Global Purchasing Organization.
• Executes all operational purchasing activities, including creating and managing purchase orders (PO) while ensuring accuracy in pricing, quantities, and delivery schedules.
• Ensures data maintenance by keeping all master data up to date across systems (e.g., SAP, eRFx).
• Acts as the first-level escalation for the production site, mitigating shortages, expediting urgent orders, and coordinating with Production, Planning, and Logistics to ensure continuous supply.
• Acts as the primary point of contact for suppliers, monitoring delivery performance and addressing supply risks with cross-functional teams.
• Manages delivery discrepancies, coordinates with suppliers and Quality teams, and ensures timely resolution and corrective actions.
• Monitors inventory levels, supports optimization, manages Last Time Buy (LTB), and coordinates obsolescence and alternative solutions with Engineering.
• Serves as a key interface with Program Management and operational teams, participates in meetings, communicates risks, and supports program milestones.
• Pulls Costed BOM for serial production program on request.
• Establishes Forward BOM on Top Spend/Key Serial Production Programs.
• Supports global purchasing with sourcing recommendations based on regional performance of the supply base.
• Actively raises and supports VA/VE initiatives, identifies cost-saving opportunities, and collaborates with category teams on sourcing strategies.
• Participates in continuous improvement activities across products, tools, processes, and programs.
• Works cooperatively with peers to implement consistent policies, procedures, strategies, and reporting practices.
• Supports implementation of relevant standards (e.g., IATF 16949, ISO 45001).
• Communicates relevant information to management to support decision-making and strategy development.
• Performs other duties as required to support program objectives.

What you'll need to be successful:

Essential:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, business administration, or equivalent.
• 3-5+ years of experience in purchasing or material management.
• Knowledge of ERP systems (SAP, eRFx).
• Relevant experience within automotive electronics preferred.
• Normal amount of sitting and standing, average mobility to move around an office and plant environment, able to conduct a normal amount of work on a computer.
• Ability to multitask by handling diverse assignments concurrently.

Preferred:

• Master's degree in business or technical emphasis.
• Knowledge of product development practices in the automotive field, including knowledge of the application and delivery of advanced electronic systems into the automotive industry.
• Skills in problem-solving, keen analytical abilities in a team setting, and knowledge in risk management.
• Willingness to perform hands-on work.
• Advanced knowledge of MS Office package.
• Good team and people skills, including interpersonal skills required to lead, mentor, communicate, and build the technical capabilities of a cross-functional and cross-cultural organization.
• Able to work effectively in a global environment.
• Able to represent technical topics internally and externally.
• Able to maintain confidentiality.
• Expert communication skills, both written and oral.
• Negotiation skills.
• Self-starter who can work in a fast-paced and multifaceted environment.
• Strong and effective decision-making skills.