Purchasing Buyer - Metal Forming

Job Title: Purchasing Buyer – Metal Forming 

Company: AISIN World Corp. of America

Department: Purchasing, Commodity - (Metal Forming)

Location: Northville, MI or Seymour, IN

Position Summary

This position will function to provide support to the Commodity Purchasing department.

Position Responsibilities

The incumbent is expected to perform the following functions that the company has determined are essential to this position:

• Negotiate pricing, delivery schedules, payment terms, confidentiality agreements, master purchase agreements, changes in process, terms, engineering requirements, and other items as required with suppliers.
• Detailed quotation analysis and negotiation for all cost drivers.
• Support the launch of new programs, including negotiating and price establishment of prototype / trial materials.
• Evaluate new supplier performance and information.
• Approve requisitions and monitor invoicing for variances and suppliers for performance
• Support preparation of annual budget plans (including purchases, manpower, expenses, etc.) for each location and all assigned components and suppliers – working with manufacturing plant site purchasing members to finalize total budget plan by plant.
• Support development and standardization of processes in conjunction with AWA systems & processes and manufacturing plant needs for all Commodity assigned components (including strategy, negotiation tactics, processes, policies, etc.)
• In conjunction with management, lead activities for Commodity purchasing to:
  • Develop forms, processes, and systems for Commodity central purchasing,
  • Support other AISIN purchasing groups for similar products and processes,
  • Execute communized purchasing activities with suppliers and potential suppliers,
  • Develop total supply chain cost analysis.
• Support the Commodity procurement team (and support of other teams as appropriate) for cost reduction activity including cooperation with AISIN affiliated companies.
• Support sub-tier negotiations and purchasing as necessary.
• Coordinate and analyze total volume usage, forecasts, and total material buy for Commodity suppliers
• Manage related processes as appropriate for quotations, Letters of Intent, Feasibility Studies, Engineering Changes, quotations, capacity investigations, etc.
• Analysis of various inputs and conditions from cross-functional departments to find cost savings opportunities.
• Coordinate and communicate with cross-functional teams at AWA, manufacturing plants and AISIN Group companies (both domestic and overseas).
• Coordinate with SPTT members to conduct supplier business audits
• In conjunction with strategic project purchasing members and SPTT:
  • Assess prospective suppliers for new model programs and localization activities
  • Support development of commodity purchase strategies.
  • Identify suppliers for new business and review their capabilities per engineering requirements.
• Prepare reports and presentations as necessary.
• Gain consensus from multiple manufacturing plants and recommend sourcing decisions.
• Act as Supplier champion to AISIN and voice of AISIN to supplier.
• Develop and maintain record of supplier assessments for commodity suppliers.
• Work with design team to identify new, local, or advanced materials and processes for mass or cost savings.
• Other tasks and duties as assigned.

Required Skills and Abilities

Essential Skills and Experience:

• Effective written and verbal communication skills for internal and external contacts
• Ability to create effective memos and letters
• Capable of analyzing quotations, developing budgets, and understanding cost impact
• Ability to comprehend technical and business correspondence
• Ability to analyze manufacturing processes and blueprints
• Strong computer skills including Excel, and the ability to create graphs, spreadsheets, and charts

Beneficial Skills and Experience

• Experience in automotive industry with understanding of standard job functions and requirements within the industry.
• Prior purchasing experience in automotive industry or industrial environment.
• Experience in multi-cultural environment, preferably Japanese-based.
• Experience in logistics, customs, and duties/tariff.
• Fluency in English with additional language skill in Japanese, Chinese, German, and/or Spanish.

Education/Training/Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, other Applied Science, or Purchasing supply chain management is preferred. Bachelor’s degree in Business or other non-technical area is acceptable based on proven technical skill.

Qualifications:

Work Environment Requirements

With reasonable accommodation:

• Must be able to operate a personal computer, telephone, and other office equipment.
• Must perform job duties onsite, when necessary, except those duties that are customarily or by their nature performed offsite (for example, offsite customer visits).
• Must be able to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Must be able to work on multiple assignments at once, and complete assignments within deadline and budget (if applicable) with satisfactory quality.
• Must be able to operate as an effective team member.
• Must be committed to a high standard of safety and be willing and able to comply with all safety laws and all company safety policies.

Attendance/Work Hour Requirements

• Must maintain an acceptable attendance record.
• Must be willing and available to work weekends and holidays as necessary and desirable to meet business needs.