Buyer

Automotive Buyer

Sigma International | Livonia, Michigan

Sigma International is a global Tier 1 supplier of decorative trim and lighting solutions to the automotive industry. The Automotive Buyer is a key member of the commercial and operations team, responsible for developing a competitive, capable, and reliable supply base supporting injection-molded plastic and value-added decorative components for OEM and Tier 1 automotive programs.

Mission for the Position

Lead sourcing and purchasing activities for Sigma International’s automotive programs, with primary emphasis on injection-molded plastic components and related value-added processes. Manage the RFQ, supplier selection, negotiation, sourcing, launch, and ongoing commercial performance of the supply base while ensuring cost, quality, delivery, timing, and OEM program requirements are achieved.

Major Responsibilities

· Plan, issue, manage, and analyze supplier RFQs for new and existing automotive programs, including quote comparisons, cost breakdowns, tooling, lead times, capacity, logistics, and commercial terms.

· Source injection-molded plastic components and assemblies used in automotive interior and exterior applications; evaluate supplier capabilities in molding, tooling, secondary operations, and value-added assembly.

· Partner with Sales, Engineering, Program Management, Quality, Operations, and Finance to support pre-sourcing and final sourcing decisions and ensure program assumptions are commercially and operationally aligned.

· Develop and maintain a qualified global supply base capable of meeting automotive OEM and Tier 1 expectations for quality, cost, delivery, capacity, launch timing, and continuous improvement.

· Negotiate piece price, tooling, capital, payment terms, freight, productivity commitments, engineering changes, and other commercial elements to achieve competitive total landed cost.

· Manage purchasing deliverables from program acquisition through launch and serial production, escalating supplier risks and driving timely corrective actions.

· Analyze supplier quotations using fact-based cost models and market intelligence; identify cost-reduction, resourcing, localization, and value-analysis/value-engineering opportunities.

· Monitor supplier performance and support resolution of commercial, quality, delivery, capacity, and launch issues in coordination with cross-functional teams.

· Maintain accurate sourcing records, quote analyses, supplier commitments, and purchasing documentation; ensure approvals are completed in accordance with company processes.

· Support continuous improvement and annual cost-reduction objectives across assigned commodities and programs.

Required Automotive / Technical Knowledge

· MUST HAVE: Strong hands-on purchasing experience with injection-molded plastic automotive components. Candidates without meaningful plastics sourcing experience will not meet the core requirement of the role.

· MUST HAVE: Demonstrated knowledge of automotive OEM and Tier 1 requirements, program timing, sourcing processes, commercial expectations, and production-launch environment.

· Working knowledge of plastic resins, injection molding processes, molds/tooling, cycle time, cavitation, scrap assumptions, machine tonnage, secondary operations, and the major cost drivers of molded components.

· Experience with value-added decorative processes is strongly preferred, including painted trim, chrome/plated trim, hot stamping, IMD, IML, TOM, graphics/labels, lighting, and assembly.

· Ability to read and understand basic engineering drawings, prints, specifications, layouts, and BOM-related information used during quoting and sourcing.

· Understanding of automotive quality and supplier-development expectations, including APQP/PPAP concepts and change-management discipline.

Key Competencies

· Strong commercial negotiation skills with the ability to establish targets and challenge supplier cost assumptions.

· Analytical mindset with sound judgment in supplier selection based on total cost, quality, delivery, technical capability, capacity, and risk.

· Strong supplier relationship management skills with the ability to hold suppliers accountable while building productive long-term partnerships.

· Clear, concise, and professional written and verbal communication across suppliers, internal teams, and leadership.

· Highly organized, detail-oriented, self-disciplined, and able to manage multiple fast-turn RFQs and program priorities with a strong sense of urgency.

· Effective cross-functional team player who works closely with Engineering, Sales, Quality, Program Management, Operations, and Finance.

· Problem-solving and continuous-improvement mindset with the ability to identify risks early and drive sustainable solutions.

· Advanced proficiency in Excel; strong working knowledge of PowerPoint, Word, and purchasing/ERP systems.

Knowledge, Education & Experience

· Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or a related field preferred; equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered.

· Minimum 5 years of automotive purchasing/buyer experience; greater experience is preferred for candidates managing complex global sourcing responsibilities.

· Required experience sourcing injection-molded plastic components for automotive applications.

· Required experience working within the automotive OEM/Tier 1 supply chain and understanding OEM-driven program requirements and timing.

· Experience with global suppliers and international sourcing is strongly preferred.

· Ability to travel as required to suppliers, plants, and program meetings.

Measurable Outcomes

· RFQ analyses and sourcing recommendations completed accurately and on time to support customer and internal program milestones.

· Sourcing decisions achieve competitive cost targets while meeting quality, delivery, technical, capacity, and launch requirements.

· Annual cost-reduction and productivity objectives achieved for assigned commodities and programs.

· Supplier commercial issues, risks, and open actions are identified, tracked, escalated when necessary, and closed in a timely manner.

· Supplier performance supports successful program launches and stable serial production.

· Purchasing records, quote comparisons, approvals, and financial inputs are complete, accurate, and submitted on time.

Sigma International is a global Tier 1 supplier of decorative trim and lighting solutions to the automotive industry. The Automotive Buyer is a key member of the commercial and operations team, responsible for developing a competitive, capable, and reliable supply base supporting injection-molded plastic and value-added decorative components for OEM and Tier 1 automotive programs.