Summary 

Overall managerial and operational responsibility for planning, organizing, directing and coordinating the Business Group North America Purchasing function, including the day-to-day management of purchasing staff, ensuring the best-value-to-cost-ratio procurement of materials, indirect goods & service, tools and capex procurement and utilizing aggressive, continuous improvement methodologies.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Responsible for Development / Maintenance of integrated Purchasing Strategies that support Business Group and Global Group Strategies / Targets and corresponding decisions

• Lead North American Group Purchasing Department establishing a progressive, integrated structure linking various facilities in North America
• Evaluate, select and develop current or alternative suppliers
• Nominate suppliers for new projects
• Manage price agreement with Suppliers
• Frame contract agreements
• Ensure consistency in quoting and contractual efforts by overseeing purchasing contract negotiations
• Function organization according to strategy and targets
• Assess and determine most economical sources of supply based upon competitive quoting protocols, dependability, quality and partnering capabilities
• Develop purchasing team members, building robust succession plans
• Manage cost of Purchasing function BGNA effectively and efficiently and effectively
• Coordinate group-wide sharing of “best practices;” provide forum for molding processes and problem resolution
• Champion process improvements
• Interface with various Autoneum and supplier groups including Engineering, Quality, Launch, Research and Development, Project Management and Materials Management; help seek new or improved materials and technology
• Manage aggressive cost reduction program for each commodity
• Participate in cross functional teams
• Maintain all necessary records of purchases, pricing, supplier performance and corrective actions
• Advise top management on current trends in prices and availability of material
• As senior leader of company, support and drive company and engagement initiatives
• Ability to understand implications of 2nd and 3rd level interactions

Education / Experience

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Material Management; MBA or graduate degree preferred
• CPM or CPIM, a plus

• Must have proven track record of strong, cost-effective negotiation skills
• 5 years in similar position in Global Automotive Supplier or 10 years seniority in Global Automotive Supplier (European Tier 1 Supplier is preferred)
• Excellent management and team-building abilities with previous supervisory responsibilities 
• Must have basic knowledge and understanding of IATF 16949 requirements and must be comfortable interfacing with Engineering  
• International purchasing activities and/or experience is desired

Language Ability

• Fluent in English (German, Spanish or other language skills is an asset)
• Ability to analyze and interpret complex documents responding effectively to inquiries from customers, regulatory agencies and/or vendor. 
• Ability to prepare reports and/or presentations for effectively communicating information to top management.

Math Ability

• High math skills are required

Reasoning Ability

• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions

Computer Skills

• Proficiency with Outlook, MS Office, SAP, SRM, GPRS, BI.

• Working knowledge of AS400 and MS Project desired.

The primary purpose of this job description is to summarize the key/essential duties.  Other duties may be assigned.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.