Buyer 1-3, Electronics

Knorr-Bremse • Avon, OH

23h • Onsite

About The Position

Purchasing and supply chain professional responsible for assigned electronic commodities, including printed circuit boards, electronic assemblies, wiring harnesses, semiconductors, connectors, sensors, and related components. Manages sourcing activities, supplier relationships, commercial agreements, cost reduction initiatives, supplier performance, and commodity results in support of Quality, Cost, Delivery, and business objectives. The scope and complexity of assignments, level of independent decision-making, and leadership expectations increase from Buyer 1 through Buyer 3.

Requirements

• Knowledge of electronics sourcing and procurement practices, including market dynamics, lead times, lifecycle and obsolescence considerations, and supply continuity risks.
• Knowledge of printed circuit boards, electronic assemblies, wiring harnesses, semiconductors, connectors, sensors, and related electronic components.
• Knowledge of strategic sourcing, commodity management, supplier relationship management, contract development, and negotiation.
• Understanding of production control, material planning, inventory management, and ERP/MRP systems.
• Understanding of supplier quality, manufacturing processes, cost drivers, and value engineering principles.
• Knowledge of the legal, regulatory, and commercial requirements associated with purchasing goods domestically and internationally.
• Buyer 1 applies working knowledge of purchasing concepts and established processes.
• Buyer 2 applies sound knowledge to independently manage assigned commodities and complex sourcing activities.
• Buyer 3 applies advanced knowledge to develop strategy, address significant business risks, and guide cross-functional or regional initiatives.
• Buyer 1: Minimum 2–3 years of tactical purchasing, procurement, supply chain, or related experience.
• Buyer 2: Minimum 3–5 years of tactical and strategic purchasing or procurement experience, including experience with electronic components or a comparable technical commodity.
• Buyer 3: Minimum 5–7 years of progressive strategic and tactical purchasing or procurement experience, including significant experience sourcing electronic components and managing complex supplier relationships.
• Experience working within a global purchasing organization and using ERP/MRP systems; SAP experience is preferred.
• Experience using multiple approaches to achieve cost reduction and supplier improvement, including negotiation, value engineering, design changes, and joint supplier programs.
• For Buyer 2 and Buyer 3, experience independently leading negotiations, sourcing projects, supplier escalations, and risk mitigation activities is expected.
• Ability to work effectively in a global matrix organization and collaborate across functions, regions, and cultures.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to evaluate cost, quality, delivery, capacity, and supply risk information and drive practical solutions.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, quickly adjust to changing business needs, and maintain a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Results-oriented with the ability to drive supplier improvement, cost reduction, productivity, and supply continuity actions.
• Self-starter with initiative, sound judgment, and the ability to work independently within the authority and expectations of the assigned level.
• Project management skills, including setting priorities, identifying risks and opportunities, coordinating resources, and managing milestones and costs in a cross-functional environment.
• Strong organization, planning, written communication, and verbal communication skills.
• Interpersonal and intercultural effectiveness with the ability to build productive supplier and internal stakeholder relationships.
• Ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and purchasing or ERP systems; ability to analyze data and clearly communicate recommendations.
• Bachelor’s degree required in Business, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, or a related field.
• An equivalent combination of relevant education and directly related experience may be considered where permitted by company policy.

Nice To Haves

• Manufacturing experience and exposure to electronics sourcing are preferred.
• Manufacturing experience is preferred.
• SAP experience is preferred.
• Experience supporting new product introductions, supplier transitions, and cross-functional projects is preferred.
• Buyer 3 experience should include leading complex initiatives and providing guidance to others.
• Buyer 2 may lead defined sourcing or supplier improvement projects.
• Buyer 1: Co-op, internship, or other relevant purchasing, supply chain, manufacturing, or technical experience is a plus.
• Buyer 2: CPM, CPSM, CPIM, or Green Belt certification is preferred.
• Buyer 3: CPM, CPSM, CPIM, Green Belt, or comparable professional certification is preferred; a master’s degree is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and manage sourcing and commodity strategies for assigned electronic components based on the level and complexity of the role.
• Evaluate and select suppliers, including global sourcing opportunities, supplier capability and risk assessments, negotiation of supply agreements, and rationalization of the supply base.
• Develop and execute cost reduction and productivity initiatives aligned with sourcing strategies, including negotiations, value engineering, design changes, supplier development, and supplier transitions.
• Support and/or lead purchasing activities for new product introductions, engineering changes, and product transfers to ensure sourcing, cost, quality, capacity, and timing requirements are met.
• Drive continuous improvement throughout the electronics supply chain through long-term agreements, value engineering, supplier development, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Develop and implement actions to achieve supply chain management objectives, including quality, delivery, productivity, inventory, and cost targets.
• Support and/or lead supplier quality and delivery improvement initiatives, including escalation and recovery planning for underperforming or high-risk suppliers.
• Develop and manage supplier relationships while supporting Bendix and Knorr-Bremse supply chain strategies and leveraging global synergies.
• Partner with Engineering, Supplier Quality, Manufacturing, Materials, Finance, and other stakeholders to resolve commercial and supply issues and support business requirements.
• Provide support to manufacturing locations regarding sourcing initiatives, supplier performance issues, capacity constraints, and Electronics CoC programs.
• Monitor electronics market conditions, technology trends, component availability, obsolescence, and supply continuity risks; develop and execute mitigation plans as appropriate.
• Maintain accurate purchasing data, sourcing documentation, contracts, and supplier records in applicable systems and in accordance with established processes.

Benefits

• Employees (and their eligible dependents) will be eligible to enroll in group healthcare plans that offer medical, dental, vision, and basic life and disability insurance.
• Employees also will be able to enroll in our company’s 401k plan.
• Employees will also receive 120 hours of vacation leave and 40 hours of Personal Paid Absence every year.
• Employees will also enjoy 12 paid holidays, and 1 floating holiday throughout the calendar year, subject to relevant terms outlined in the employee handbook.
• 6 weeks of paid parental leave will also be available for use.
• Employees working on federal contracts covered by the Federal Paid Sick Leave requirements will be notified and will receive benefits consistent and compliant with the FPSL requirements.
• Hired applicant will be able to purchase company stock, subject to the relevant plan documents and annual bonuses based on achievement of certain metrics of up to 4% of annual salary.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level