Buyer –VA/VE

Air Lift, a third-generation family owned company, was founded in 1949 in Lansing, Michigan. Air Lift supplies the automotive aftermarket with load assist products and performance suspensions for show and track. Our goal is to consistently provide products and services that meet and exceed customer’s requirements and expectations. We do this by recruiting top talent and retaining them through our commitment to professional development and preservation of our culture. 

Job Description Summary 

The VA/VE Buyer serves as the primary interface between Engineering and Purchasing for value analysis and value engineering initiatives. This role ensures that engineering intent, cost-reduction concepts, and design changes are commercially sound, supplier-feasible, and effectively executed. 

The VA/VE Buyer translates engineering ideas into actionable sourcing and supplier strategies, while bringing supplier capabilities, cost drivers, manufacturing realities, and total cost considerations into engineering discussions. The role exists to ensure alignment between design decisions and purchasing strategy, and to drive measurable, sustainable cost improvements.

Essential results-based duties

• VA/VE Leadership and Integration 
• Act as the central point of coordination between Engineering and Purchasing for VA/VE activities. 
• Ensure engineering cost-reduction concepts are evaluated through a total cost of ownership lens, including piece price, tooling, freight, duties, lead time, risk, and lifecycle cost. 
• Introduce supplier, manufacturing, and commercial considerations early in the design and change process. 
• Lead supplier cost and total cost of ownership analysis related to VA/VE initiatives, including material changes, manufacturing process alternatives, tooling strategies, packaging, freight, logistics impacts, and part consolidation opportunities. 
• Analyze supplier quotations and cost breakdowns to understand and challenge key cost drivers. 
• Validate that proposed savings are realistic, repeatable, and sustainable.
• Coordinate VA/VE initiatives across Engineering, Quality, Operations, and Suppliers. 
• Support Engineering Change Requests, Supplier Change Requests, and deviations required to implement approved VA/VE improvements.
• Lead supplier discussions related to VA/VE opportunities, including alternate materials, processes, and production methods. 
• Negotiate cost reductions and commercial terms aligned with approved engineering changes and total cost objectives.
• Quantify, document, and track VA/VE savings from concept through implementation. Ensure identified savings are implemented, measured, and sustained.
• Other tasks as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or a related field is preferred; however, equivalent practical experience in manufacturing, sourcing, and cost analysis will be considered in lieu of a formal degree. 
• 5 years of buying or sourcing experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, materials, and total cost of ownership. 
• Demonstrated experience evaluating supplier pricing beyond piece price. 
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and specifications. 
• Equivalent practical experience may be considered in lieu of a bachelor's degree. 
• Knowledge of APQP, PPAP, and supplier quality processes.
• Experience working with domestic and international suppliers.

Minimum and Preferred Qualifications:

• Exposure to manufacturing processes and materials including metals, rubber, injection molding, machining, and castings.
• Experience acting as a liaison between Engineering and Supply Chain. 
• Prior involvement in VA/VE or cost-reduction initiatives.
• Ability to read mechanical blueprints. 
• ISO auditor training/Lean concepts.
• Knowledge of CE and TUV requirements.
• Negotiation of long- and short-term contracts.