Purchasing Buyer chez AISIN World Corp. of America

Job Title: Purchasing Buyer

Company: AISIN World Corp. of America

Department: Purchasing – Springs & Fasteners

Location: Northville, MI

Position Summary

The position will interact externally with suppliers, and internally with cross-functional teams, to manage purchasing activities for their assigned commodity. Activities would include sourcing, commercial negotiations, contract establishment, cost reduction initiatives and production/service support

Position Responsibilities

The incumbent is expected to perform the following functions that the company has determined are essential to this position:

• Negotiate pricing, delivery schedules, payment terms, confidentiality agreements, master purchase agreements, changes in process, terms, engineering requirements, and other items as required with suppliers.
• Detailed quotation analysis and negotiation for all cost drivers.
• Support the launch of new programs, including tracking prototype / trial materials.
• Evaluate new supplier performance and information.
• Approve requisitions and monitor invoicing for variances and suppliers for performance
• Support preparation of annual budget plans (including purchases, manpower, expenses, etc) for each location and all assigned components and suppliers – working with manufacturing plant site purchasing members to finalize total budget plan by plant.
• Support development and standardization of processes in conjunction with AWA systems & processes and manufacturing plant needs for all Commodity assigned components (including strategy, negotiation tactics, processes, policies, etc).
• In conjunction with management, lead activities for Commodity purchasing to:
  • Develop forms, processes, and systems for Commodity central purchasing.
  • Support other AISIN purchasing groups for similar products and processes.
  • Execute communized purchasing activities with suppliers and potential suppliers.
  • Develop total supply chain cost analysis.
• Support the Commodity procurement team (and support of other teams as appropriate) for cost reduction activity including cooperation with AISIN affiliated companies.
• Support sub-tier negotiations and purchasing as necessary.
• Coordinate and analyze total volume usage, forecasts, and total material buy for Commodity suppliers
• Manage related processes as appropriate for quotations, Letters of Intent, Feasibility Studies, Engineering Changes, quotations, capacity investigations, etc.
• Analysis of various inputs and conditions from cross-functional departments to find cost savings opportunities.
• Coordinate and communicate with cross-functional teams at AWA, manufacturing plants and AISIN Group companies (both domestic and overseas).
• Coordinate with SPTT members to conduct supplier business audits
• In conjunction with strategic project purchasing members and SPTT:
  • Assess prospective suppliers for new model programs and localization activities
  • Support development of metal-forming component purchase strategies.
  • Identify suppliers for new business and review their capabilities per engineering requirements.
• Prepare reports and presentations as necessary.
• Gain consensus from multiple manufacturing plants and recommend sourcing decisions.
• Act as Supplier champion to AISIN and voice of AISIN to supplier.
• Develop and maintain record of supplier assessments for metal-forming component suppliers.
• Work with design team to identify new, local, or advanced materials and processes for mass or cost savings.
• Other tasks and duties as assigned.

Required Skills and Abilities

Essential Skills and Experience:

• 0 – 3+ years of related experience.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills for internal and external contacts.
• Ability to create effective memos and letters.
• Capable of analyzing quotations, developing budgets, and understanding cost impact.
• Ability to comprehend technical and business correspondence.
• Ability to analyze manufacturing processes and blueprints.
• Strong computer skills and ability to create graphs, spreadsheets, and charts.

Beneficial Skills and Experience

• Experience in automotive industry with understanding of standard job functions and requirements within the industry.
• Prior purchasing experience in automotive industry or industrial environment.
• Experience in multi-cultural environment, preferably Japanese-based.
• Fluency in English with additional language skill in Japanese, Chinese, German, and/or Spanish.