Purchasing Engineer – Sourcing

About the Role

Position SummaryElectrolux Midea Appliance Manufacturing (EMAM) is seeking a Purchasing Engineer – Sourcing to support the development, classification, and strategic sourcing of core components and raw materials for washing machines, including inverter motors, electronic control boards, inner and outer drum molds, steel plates, plastic pellets, and rubber components.This position combines supplier development, business negotiations, cost management, supplier lifecycle management, and technical collaboration to establish and maintain a competitive, reliable supply base. The Purchasing Engineer works closely with Research and Development (R&D), Quality, Manufacturing, and Planning to ensure material quality, cost competitiveness, and timely delivery. Through strategic sourcing, total cost of ownership (TCO) optimization, and value analysis/value engineering (VAVE), this position contributes to product competitiveness and supply chain resilience.

Responsibilities

• Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities
• Strategic Sourcing and Supplier Development
• Develop, evaluate, and introduce competitive domestic and international suppliers in alignment with product-line strategies for front-load washing machines, top-load washing machines, and dryers.
• Establish and optimize supplier resources for drive systems, washing control systems, structural components, and other core materials.
• Conduct supplier inquiries, competitive bidding, quotation analysis, price comparisons, and commercial negotiations.
• Negotiate procurement contracts, pricing agreements, and supplier framework agreements.
• Support local supplier development and supplier resource planning to meet manufacturing and operational requirements.

• Cost Management and Total Cost Optimization
• Collaborate with R&D and Quality Engineering teams to identify and implement technical cost-reduction opportunities through VAVE initiatives.
• Promote component standardization, reduce material complexity, and optimize total cost of ownership.
• Monitor purchase price variance (PPV) and support achievement of annual cost-reduction objectives.
• Evaluate material pricing, processing costs, tooling investments, and mold cost allocation to support informed sourcing decisions.

• Mold and Project Procurement Management
• Manage procurement and supplier development activities for large injection molds and stamping molds used in washing machine manufacturing.
• Monitor mold asset budgets, tooling production schedules, development milestones, and lifecycle management.
• Participate in New Product Introduction (NPI) activities to ensure procurement readiness for product launches.
• Coordinate mold development, prototype production, and Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) activities to support timely transitions into mass production.

• Supplier Performance and Risk Management
• Lead or coordinate quarterly and annual supplier business reviews.
• Evaluate supplier performance across quality, cost, delivery, technology, and service (QCDTS) measures.
• Identify supply chain vulnerabilities, including single-source dependencies and critical material shortages.
• Develop second-source diversification strategies, supplier contingency plans, and risk-mitigation measures.
• Coordinate cross-functional responses to supplier disruptions to minimize production interruptions.

• Procurement Compliance and Sustainability
• Ensure procurement activities comply with company internal controls, purchasing procedures, and business ethics standards.
• Support compliance with applicable environmental and material regulations, including RoHS and REACH where relevant.
• Maintain transparency, accuracy, and appropriate documentation throughout supplier selection, negotiation, and procurement activities.
• Support responsible sourcing and supplier social responsibility requirements.

• Cross-Functional and Global Collaboration
• Coordinate with Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Planning, and other stakeholders to align purchasing decisions with technical and operational requirements.
• Communicate with domestic and international suppliers and multinational headquarters teams regarding commercial, technical, and supply chain matters.
• Balance headquarters procurement strategies with local manufacturing requirements in a matrix organizational structure.
• Use procurement systems and analytical tools to monitor supplier performance, material costs, and sourcing opportunities.

Qualifications

• Required QualificationsEducationBachelor’s degree or higher in Mechanical Design, Electronic Information, Materials Engineering, Supply Chain Management, International Trade, or a related field.

Required Skills

• Professional ExperienceThree to five years of purchasing engineering, strategic sourcing, or related procurement experience within large home appliance manufacturing, automotive components, or large-scale electronics manufacturing.
• Experience with supplier negotiations, material cost evaluation, sourcing activities, and supplier relationship management.
• Working knowledge of manufacturing supply chains and experience in at least one commodity category: motors, electronic control boards or PCBs; sheet metal, precision hardware, stamping molds or injection molds; or plastic resins/pellets, rubber components or related raw materials.
• Knowledge of basic manufacturing cost accounting, including material costs, processing fees, and tooling or mold cost allocation.
• Technical and Systems KnowledgeProficiency with SAP, Oracle, or comparable enterprise resource planning (ERP) procurement systems.
• Strong data analysis capabilities using Microsoft Excel, Power BI, or related business intelligence tools.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, technical specifications, and manufacturing process documentation.
• Understanding of relevant manufacturing processes, including injection molding, deep drawing, and dynamic balancing.
• Communication and Business SkillsStrong commercial negotiation, supplier relationship management, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to conduct professional business negotiations and written communications with domestic and international suppliers.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills across engineering, procurement, quality, manufacturing, and leadership functions.
• Ability to evaluate commodity market trends, material pricing, and exchange rate fluctuations.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, respond to urgent supply chain issues, and operate effectively within a matrix organization.

Preferred Skills

• Preferred QualificationsPrior sourcing or purchasing experience within large home appliance manufacturing, particularly washing machines, refrigerators, or air conditioners.
• Experience in an R&D, Product Engineering (PE), or Electrical Engineering (EE) function followed by a transition into procurement engineering.
• Extensive experience procuring large injection molds or stamping molds and managing associated development projects.
• Professional