What are the responsibilities and job description for the Advanced Purchasing Buyer position at Hi-Lex Controls?
THE COMPANY:
Founded in 1946, HI-LEX is a leading supplier of window regulators, door modules, power lift gate systems, and mechanical control cables primarily serving the automotive industry, but also the power sports, marine, construction equipment, and medical device sectors. Headquartered in Takarazuka, Japan (near Osaka), and listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE), HI-LEX employs more than 12,000 associates across its global footprint.
In the Americas region, HI-LEX has grown steadily in the region, and now has ten (10) manufacturing facilities across the United States, Mexico, and Brazil. In the U.S., HI-LEX operates under three divisions: HI-LEX America in Battle Creek, Michigan; HI-LEX Controls in Hudson, Litchfield, and Hazel Park, Michigan; and Daedong HI-LEX of America in Cusseta, Alabama. The company’s automotive center is in Rochester Hills, Michigan which consists of finance, sales, engineering, testing, and program management, and will serve as the location for the new Director of Human Resources.
Website: HI-LEX.com
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Advanced Purchasing Buyer at HI-LEX is responsible for managing the quoting and sourcing of suppliers and align with Category Buyers to send RFQs in support of Pre-SOP programs, engineering changes, and VAVE changes.
The role of leading the advanced buying process throughout these various stages provides a challenging and rewarding opportunity to positively impact the long-term vision and future growth of HI-LEX
KEY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Manage the quoting and sourcing of suppliers and align with category buyers to send RFQs in support of Pre-SOP programs, engineering changes, and VAVE changes.
- Lead negotiations with key suppliers to support cost down reductions to secure future business award, engineering changes, and VAVE changes.
- Work with the VMS team and Category Buyers to develop and implement Should Be Cost Modeling for all sub-commodities.
- Partner with Category Buyers to develop and implement sourcing strategies based on program life, volume, suppliers, and other relevant information to achieve cost optimization.
- Support Category Buyers with cost reduction strategies, sourcing of new suppliers and obtaining quotes for new business award RFQ, engineering changes, and VAVE changes.
- Partner with Category Purchasing, Operations, & Engineering to ensure continued alignment on supplier bid list, timing, cost, technology, and category strategy.
- Ensure tool kick off timing aligns with program build deliverables.
Qualifications:
EDUCATION:
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain or equivalent related experience.
FUNCTIONAL EXPERIENCE:
- 2 to 5 years of previous automotive purchasing experience.
- Travel: <25% local, regional.
- Ability to resolve issues by applying creative thinking.
- Ability to think and act logically under pressure.
- Ability to resolve issues or propose resolutions to responsible parties.
- Must work independently and collaboratively.
- Key Competencies: active learning, analytical thinking and problem solving, customer orientation, results orientation and execution, initiative, and teamwork.