Indirect Plant Purchasing Buyer – MRO & Cutting Tools en GKN Automotive

Candidate Profile

GKN is looking for a skilled and strategic professional with the following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in International Business, Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, Logistics, or a related field
• Fluent in English (written and spoken)
• Minimum 3 years of purchasing experience in the automotive sector preferably.
• Strong cross-cultural communication and collaboration skills
• Proven negotiation expertise
• Demonstrated success in cost reduction and process improvement initiatives
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint and MRP systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the Request for Quotation (RfQ) process for purchases within regional thresholds, including supplier selection
• Negotiate shopping carts and create purchase orders within defined regional categories, value thresholds and adherence to corporate guidelines
• Set up new vendors and submit new contract approvals for negotiated agreements
• Identify cost-saving opportunities through demand bundling, supplier substitution, and negotiation of payment terms, delivery schedules, and warranty extensions
• Handle order confirmations for critical items (e.g., storeroom inventory), ensuring data accuracy and resolving discrepancies
• Lead escalation and problem-solving efforts to meet local operational goals
• Resolve invoice discrepancies related to pricing
• Oversee automated replenishment processes for coded materials
• Support the development and adoption of electronic catalogs to reduce manual order processing
• Mentor interns and support their development
• Analyze purchasing processes and data to recommend improvements
• Manage contracts and understand commercial terms relevant to the country of operation
• Address region-specific requirements such as tax regulations and contract compliance
• Collaborate with global and regional category teams