Principal Direct Material Buyer

JTEKT North America•Greenville, SC

4d•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

Advanced ability to read drawings.
Strong PC skills, including proficiency with Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
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.
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.
Minimum Bachelor’s Degree - Business or Engineering related
Minimum 5+ Years Purchasing Experience
Ideally in the automotive industry

Nice To Haves

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.
Estimate what we should be paying for a component.
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 for component piece price, tooling cost, etc.
Support other Buyers in the development of negotiation strategies and provide support during 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 and provide Quarterly reporting of KPIs to each Key Supplier.
Generate a map of Supplier Processes including Bekido and Chokko rates at time of quotation and follow up to confirm quoted rates are occurring.
Work daily overtime and Saturdays and/or Sundays when directed or as necessary to complete essential job duties.
Perform other duties as assigned.