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Senior Buyer – Metal Components (Automotive) Full Time
Summary
The Senior Buyer – Metal Components is responsible for developing and executing sourcing strategies for metal parts and raw materials used in automotive manufacturing. This role manages supplier relationships, negotiates long-term agreements, ensures continuity of supply, and drives cost, quality, and delivery performance across various blanked, formed, welded, hot-upset, forged, machined and assembled metal components.
The position requires strong technical understanding of metals, components, global supply markets, and automotive quality and compliance standards, along with proven commercial negotiation expertise.
Job Duties
- Develop and execute sourcing strategies for metal components and raw materials (e.g., steel, aluminum, flat rolled, long products,)
- Identify, evaluate, and onboard suppliers capable of meeting automotive quality, capacity, and cost requirements
- Lead supplier RFQs/RFPs, benchmarking, and cost modeling
- Establish and manage long-term supply agreements and pricing structures
- Monitor supplier financial health, capacity, and geopolitical risk exposure
- Lead commercial negotiations including pricing, tooling, payment terms, cost recoveries, and capacity commitments
- Drive year-over-year cost improvement initiatives while maintaining quality and supply continuity
- Analyze commodity trends, surcharges, and indices; manage price adjustment mechanisms
- Support should-cost and value engineering initiatives in collaboration with engineering and manufacturing teams
- Execute purchase orders and manage supplier deliveries to support production schedules
- Resolve supplier performance issues including quality, delivery, and cost variances
- Support production launches and engineering changes related to metal components
- Ensure compliance with internal procurement policies and audit requirements
- Work closely with Engineering, Quality, Operations, Finance, and Program Management teams
- Support APQP, PPAP, and launch readiness activities
- Participate in make-versus-buy and supplier consolidation decisions
- Provide procurement input during new product development and change management processes
- Ensure suppliers comply with automotive standards (e.g., IATF 16949, ISO 9001)
- Support regulatory and sustainability requirements (e.g., resiliency, conflict minerals, ESG initiatives)
- Drive risk mitigation plans for supply disruptions and capacity constraints
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or a related field
- Professional certifications (e.g., CPSM, SCMP, CPM) are an asset
- 8+ years of purchasing or strategic sourcing experience in an automotive or manufacturing environment
- Demonstrated experience sourcing metal components such as blanked, formed, welded, hot-upset, forged, machined and assembled parts
- Proven track record of successful supplier negotiations and cost reduction initiatives
- Experience working with Tier 1 and Tier 2 automotive suppliers
- Strong knowledge of metal manufacturing processes and material cost drivers
- Advanced negotiation, contract management, and analytical skills
- Proficiency in ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Excel
- Ability to interpret drawings, specifications, and bills of materials
- Strong problem-solving and risk management capabilities
Alternatively, you can view other roles for reentry opportunities at https://reentrycareers.com/