Regional Category Buyer - MRO

Schaeffler•Auburn Hills, MI

About The Position

Schaeffler is seeking a Regional Category Buyer responsible for developing and implementing regional purchasing strategies for assigned categories, in alignment with relevant specialist areas and stakeholders. The role includes regional cost responsibility, budget planning and tracking, purchasing-volume analysis, procurement strategy development, and market intelligence. The buyer will identify and promote savings and process improvements, manage supplier-related quality and delivery risks, lead requests for quotation and commercial negotiations, and oversee supplier selection, approval, portfolio management, and development. The position also coordinates regularly with specialist departments and regional or local stakeholders to support and improve customer satisfaction. The role requires a bachelor's degree in Purchasing, Supply Chain, Engineering, or a related field, at least one year of relevant professional purchasing experience, negotiation and cross-functional teamwork experience, and the ability to manage complex projects under pressure while meeting deadlines and targets. Travel is approximately 15%. External applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without employment visa or other sponsorship.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Purchasing, Supply Chain, Engineering, or an equivalent related field.
At least one year of relevant purchasing experience in a professional environment.
Experience with negotiations and working in cross-functional teams.
Ability to manage complex projects under pressure while meeting due dates and targets.
Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
Willingness to travel approximately 15%.
External applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without employment visa or other sponsorship.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement regional purchasing strategies for assigned categories in alignment with relevant specialist areas and contact partners.
Manage regional costs for assigned categories.
Plan and track budgetary prerequisites.
Analyze purchasing volume.
Develop procurement strategies and market intelligence.
Identify, initiate, and promote potential savings and improvements, including specification, make-or-buy, and cost-value analyses.
Manage risks and lead task-force or troubleshooting efforts concerning supplier quality and delivery issues.
Negotiate pricing, conditions, and contracts, and lead RFQs for relevant suppliers.
Initiate and implement supplier selection and approval in accordance with category-specific requirements.
Actively manage the supplier portfolio, including supplier assignment, classification, assessment, and development, as well as volatile supply-critical materials.
Coordinate regularly with specialist departments and regional or local stakeholders to ensure and improve customer satisfaction.