Job Title: Buyer - Raw Material
Company: AISIN World Corp. of America
Department: Purchasing, Machinery & Raw Materials
Location: Northville, MI or Seymour, IN

POSITION SUMMARY

This position will function to provide support to the Machinery & Raw Materials department.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Essential Skills and Experience:

• 2 – 5+ years of demonstrated experience and accomplishments in each of the areas described above.
• Experience in raw/indirect material (resin, paint, chemicals, etc.) purchasing for manufacturing processes.
• Understand manufacturing processes and costs associated with those processes.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Demonstrate analytical & negotiation ability.
• Excellent organization and time management skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative environment.

BENEFICIAL SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Experience in automotive industry with 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.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business or other non-technical area is acceptable based on proven technical skill.
  Requirements:

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

• Approximately 10%
• 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.

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

• Raw & Indirect material purchase/cost analysis/cost reduction:
• Learn to become a commodity expert, develop deep understanding of material types, applications, suppliers and competition in the field, contribute to development of AISIN NA Raw Material strategy.
• Coordinate and analyze total volume usage, spend, and forecasts for material suppliers.
• Detail quotation analysis for all cost drivers; total supply chain analysis.
• Cooperate closely with cross-functional team to execute purchasing activities with suppliers, investigate potential suppliers when necessary.
• Assess prospective suppliers for new model programs and localization activities.
• Lead cost reduction activities for AISIN affiliated companies, and support and cooperate with AISIN’s group companies.
• Support commodity Purchasing team with (Raw) material cost inputs, and cost reduction activities.
• Analysis of various inputs and conditions from cross-functional departments to find cost savings opportunities.
• Responsible for document control for material RFQ’s, LOI’s, ECI’s, quotations, and sourcing documentation.
• Learn to negotiate prices, delivery schedules, payment terms, confidentiality agreements, master purchase agreements, changes in process, terms, engineering requirements, and other items as required with suppliers.
• Prepare reports and presentations as necessary.
• 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.
• Manage key supplier relationships effectively.
• Support development of intelligence activities regarding the competitor and supplier information, (i.e. 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 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.
• Assist to develop effective plans and strategies for material cost control.
• Establish & control documented activity plans as necessary.
• Develop and execute short-term and long-term plans with other purchasing groups, engineering, and other teams.
• Other tasks and duties as assigned.