Purchasing Manager

Job Title: Purchasing Manager

Company: AISIN World Corp. of America

Department: Purchasing, Commodity - (Specialty Parts, Resin, Metal Forming, Extrusions)

Location: Seymour, IN

Position Summary

This position will function to provide support to the Commodity Purchasing department.

Position Responsibilities

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

• Commodity Forming component purchase cost review by manufacturing process

• Lead the cross-function team to execute purchasing activities with suppliers and potential suppliers.

• Support sub-tier material cost and purchasing as necessary.

• Lead cost reduction activity in cooperation with AISIN affiliated companies including:

• Coordinate and analyze total volume usage and forecasts and total buy for suppliers.

• Total supply chain cost analysis.

• Analysis of various inputs and conditions from cross-functional departments to find cost savings opportunities.

• Assess prospective suppliers for new model programs and localization activities.

• Responsible for document control for RFQ's, LOI's, ECI's, and quotations.

• Negotiate pricing, delivery schedules, payment terms, confidentiality agreements, master purchase agreements, changes in process, terms, engineering requirements, and other items as required with suppliers.

• Detail quotation analysis for all cost drivers.

• Prepare reports and presentations as necessary.

• Gain consensus from various manufacturing plants and recommend sourcing decisions.

• Act as Supplier champion to AISIN and voice of AISIN to supplier.

• Advance Program Development

• Identify suppliers for new business and review their capabilities per engineering requirements.

• Support AISIN affiliated companies to identify potential suppliers cost competitiveness.

• Facilitate, support, and coordinate activity, visits, and communication between various AISIN groups; i.e. act as window to supplier for AISIN and window to AISIN for supplier.

• Develop and maintain record of supplier assessments.

• Work with design team to identify new, local, or advanced materials for mass or cost savings.

• Management

• Supervise activities and delegate activity as appropriate to direct members and related group members as appropriate to achieve desired results.

• Evaluate and develop team members.

• Develop effective plans and strategies for yourself and staff to manage daily activities effectively within established budget constraints including but not limited to annual price reductions & material adjustments.

• This function will be conducted under the direction from and through close communication with not only N.A. management, but also several other group companies globally.

• Maintain ongoing communication and performance feedback with staff throughout the year.

• Supervise, educate, and support staff members in achievement of short and long-term goals.

• Evaluate current business systems or procedures as necessary and suggest improvements for the benefit of AISIN.

• Support business activities to improve team and system performance as appropriate.

• Strengthen staff development & ensure training is completed as needed.

• Manage key supplier relationships effectively.

• Support development of intelligence activities regarding the competitor and supplier information including, but not limited to, new products, product and process improvement, VA / VE, profit improvement, cost reduction, etc.

• Report major, weekly and monthly activities to the Management.

• Operate with "cross-functional" approach and accordingly accept / assume new responsibilities as dictated by business environment.

• Function as a key person to manage staff, compile / summarize / analyze and communicate necessary data and develop summary and status documents / materials.

• Support development of cost estimations for engineering analysis, business opportunities and other needs as directed.

• Support the launch of new programs, including tracking prototype / trial materials.

• Conduct regular purchasing meetings with various plants in order to closely communicate, identify, and meet expectations of purchasing team, management, and manufacturing plants.

• Support/maintain/improve group morale and motivation.

• Develop effective plans and strategies for material cost control.

• Establish & control documented activity plans as necessary.

• Lead development and training of portal activity and utilization of the program.

• Develop and execute short-term and long-term plans with other purchasing groups, engineering, and other teams.

• Review, approve or reject and direct staff members for supplier quotations.

• Review, approve or reject sourcing plans from staff member and ensure internal documents for sourcing activity are complete and easily understood and all items required have been confirmed and completed.

• Other tasks and duties as assigned.

Required Skills and Abilities

Essential Skills and Experience:

• Demonstrates experience and accomplishments in each of the areas described above that would normally be acquired through 5-7 years of related experience.
• Experience in manufacturing and technical environment.
• Experience in Component Purchasing for automotive manufacturing processes.
• Understanding of manufacturing processes and costs associated with those processes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills & Microsoft intermediate experience.
• Excellent organizational, time management & presentation skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative environment while promoting teamwork.
• Ability to demonstrate patience and verify facts.
• Demonstrates the ability to persevere and complete difficult tasks.

Beneficial Skills and Experience

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

Education/Training/Certifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, other Applied Science, or Purchasing Supply Chain Management is preferred. Significant time within the Commodity industry may substitute for the lack of college education preference.

Travel Requirements

• Approximately 35 %.
• 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.