Principal Direct Material Buyer

JTEKT North America•Greenville, SC

3d•Onsite

About The Position

This is the Experienced Level of our Senior Buyer position. The employee will perform a full range of professional buyer assignments in a full functioning capacity. This individual will be required to make independent data driven decisions on assigned projects that could and will have significant impact on the entire business. Guidelines may be available, but individual will be required to adapt and interpret the appropriate course of action. Role will be focused on Hot Forging based commodities for both production and service requirements, domestically and internationally.

Requirements

Minimum Bachelor’s Degree - Business or Engineering related
Minimum 5+ Years Purchasing Experience
Ability to manage project(s).
Ability to identify key purchasing related issues and then apply problem-solving skills to creatively resolve complex procurement related issues.
Ability to understand and anticipate technical issues in order to interface internally within JTEKT and with suppliers to implement corrective actions at the earliest possible stage.
Ability to function successfully with considerable latitude and require technical guidance only on unusual complex problems or issues.
Ability to work in a participative management environment and maintain a drive for accomplishment of responsibilities.
Strong PC skills, including proficiency with Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
Superior communication skills, both verbal and written.
Ability to travel, with little or no notice.
Basic knowledge of applicable quality, health, safety, and environmental management systems.
Advanced ability to read drawings.

Nice To Haves

Ideally in the automotive industry
Working knowledge of Oracle and Power BI is a plus.
Professional certification is a plus but not required.

Responsibilities

Lead Purchasing Projects that could impact multiple JNA Facilities.
Develop “Should Be Cost” of components within their assigned commodity, involving a thorough understanding of component cost drivers and commodity market intelligence.
Create, issue, and evaluate Supplier Request for Quotation (RFQ) packages.
Become familiar with the main cost drivers of his/her commodities and communicate this information internally to ensure optimum designs are released at the time of sourcing decision.
Research and understand market trends, create a Benchmark on assigned commodities, create a Make -vs- Buy analysis, and understand the impact of technology on the product.
Create Commodity Strategy for Key Commodities based on evaluation of market trends, technology trends, forecasts, etc., and present and implement Commodity Strategy based on leadership feedback.
Identify cost reduction activities from the beginning of the product design stage, through the production life of the product purchased.
Lead negotiations with suppliers to accomplish the Should Be/Target pricing determined to be market competitive for component piece price, tooling cost, etc.
Support other Buyers in the development of negotiation strategies and provide support during face-to-face supplier negotiations.
Support the Supplier Advancement Engineer in VA/VE and Kaizen supplier workshops by defining cost reduction targets and negotiating cost sharing rules with suppliers.
Be responsible for the overall performance of his/her suppliers and their Quality, Cost and Delivery performance.
Manage Supplier Risk as well as Quarterly reporting of KPIs to each Key Supplier.
Generate a map of Supplier Processes including Bekido and Chokko rates at time of quotation as well as follow up at a later date to confirm quoted rates are actually occurring.
Work daily overtime and Saturdays and/or Sundays when directed by immediate supervisor or, as necessary, to complete essential job duties.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Perform training and mentoring activities for Buyers.