Purchasing Buyer - Specialty Parts

Job Title: Purchasing Buyer - Specialty Parts

Company: Aisin World Corp. of America

Department: Purchasing, Commodity

Location: Seymour, IN or Marion, IL

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 Commodity 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 Commodity 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:

• Effective written and verbal communication skills for internal and external contacts
• Ability to create effective memos, Emails 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.
• Exposure or knowledge of the injection molding process (Metal Stamping) would be beneficial but not mandatory.
• Fluency in English with additional language skill in Japanese helpful.

Education/Training/Certifications

• Education within Engineering, Accounting, Stamping Manufacturing, or Purchasing supply chain is beneficial but not mandatory.
• Internal candidates with significant Aisin experience will be considered.

Travel Requirements

• Approximately 10-30 %
• Must be willing and available to travel to such locations and with such frequency as is necessary and desirable to meet business needs.

Work Environment Requirements

With reasonable accommodation:

• Must be able to operate a personal computer, telephone, and other office equipment.
• Must perform job duties onsite, when necessary, except those duties that are customarily or by their nature performed offsite (for example, offsite customer visits).
• Must be able to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Must be able to work on multiple assignments at once, and complete assignments within deadline and budget (if applicable) with satisfactory quality.
• Must be able to operate as an effective team member.
• Must be committed to a high standard of safety and be willing and able to comply with all safety laws and all company safety policies.

Attendance/Work Hour Requirements

• Must maintain an acceptable attendance record.
• Must be willing and available to work weekends and holidays as necessary and desirable to meet business needs.