Commodity Buyer Sr - Steel Buyer

orldwide, the Volkswagen Group has a long tradition of dramatic innovations. The Volkswagen Group with its headquarters in Wolfsburg, Germany is one of the world’s leading automobile manufacturers and the largest carmaker in Europe. The Group comprises twelve brands from seven European countries: Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Audi, SEAT, ŠKODA, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Porsche, Ducati, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Scania and MAN.

The Commodity Buyer Sr assists the Commodity Manager in leading the Commodity Team. Responsible for leading assigned Buyers in achieving all team business plan commitments. Leads and implements all commodity localization and hidden cost activities. Also responsible for coordinating all Forward and Global Sourcing activities between regions. Identifies PKO opportunities and ensures implementation to reduce material cost. Responsible for ensuring continuous parts supply to VW manufacturing facilities.  Represents the Commodity Manager in his absence.

Business Plan – 35%

• Leads team members is establishing the annual material cost business plan (total spend up to $500M per year).
• Continuously monitors Commodity business plan and performs bi-weekly reconciliation to achieve annual business plan savings and commitments..
• Lead Global Sourcing activities to reduce material cost.

Sourcing – 20%

• Monitor and track Commodity forward and global sourcing status and report monthly.
• Drives the team’s alignment of VW Group Global strategies and initiatives of strategic material groups into the region.
• Analyze and monitor Global macro-economic, geo-political, and unforeseen events that influence material cost.
• Utilize product knowledge and expertise to evaluate optimal material cost of future vehicle programs.

Localization/FOREX – 20%

• Identify FOREX opportunities and ensure team achievement of commitments.
• Drive and analyze the localization and deep localization rate of the team’s assigned parts.  Develop and implement strategies to increase localization and deep localization rate.

PKO Activities – 15%

• Benchmark competitor products and specifications for cost optimization.  Participate in cost reduction workshops to identify alternative materials, manufacturing processes, etc.
• Actively participate in all PKO activities to achieve NAR 235M Euro reduction commitment.

Ensure Parts Supply – 10%

• Ensure the team’s contracted capacity is available to meet project requirements.
• Responsible for crisis management of unforeseen supply chain disruptions.
• Oversees the evaluation and negotiation of Engineering Change Requests with suppliers to achieve optimum piece price, investment and timing.  Ensures the timely entry and maintenance of purchasing information systems (purchase orders, tooling orders, capacity, etc.)

General Skills 

• 7 years automotive purchasing experience
• Bachelor degree in Business or Engineering
• Advanced Microsoft Office Skills (PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, etc.)
• Advanced negotiation skills (experience conducting and executing different negotiation strategies and tactics to achieve a goal)
• Leadership Experience, coordinate team efforts

Specialized Skills

• Advanced knowledge in VW Purchasing Systems (AIP, EBON, KSRM, TEVON, etc)
• Experience steering the team business plan and supporting colleagues to achieve their targets
• Expert level knowledge in key automotive systems
• Accustomed to a high pressure environment
• Effectively multitasks high priority topicsGerman language skillsInternational business experience

Volkswagen Group of America is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome and encourage applicants from all backgrounds, and do not discriminate based on race, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, color, gender identity/expression, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by applicable laws.

This role description is a guideline and does not create contractual rights between the Company and any of its applicants. The Company does not enter into any type of employment contract, implied or written, with its applicants regarding job security.

This Organization participates in E-Verify. We maintain a drug free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing.