Buyer, Business

Job Title:

Buyer

Job Description

The Buyer will support a service parts purchasing organization by managing both strategic and transactional procurement activities for service parts commodities. This role combines hands-on purchase order management, supplier negotiations, and data-driven analysis to ensure goods and services meet cost, quality, and delivery targets. The Buyer will work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, acting as a key liaison between suppliers and internal teams while proactively resolving issues, driving cost savings, and supporting continuous improvement across the supply chain.

Responsibilities

+ Purchase goods, materials, components, and services in line with specified cost, quality, and delivery targets.

+ Handle day-to-day strategic and transactional purchasing activities, including managing purchase orders, supplier negotiations, back orders, and complex supplier portfolios.

+ Support the purchasing function and other relevant departments by communicating supply issues that may impact business operations.

+ Act as an interface between suppliers and internal departments on purchasing processes, new projects, and ongoing activities.

+ Monitor and advise on issues that present risk or opportunity to the organization, escalating and resolving them as appropriate.

+ Monitor market trends, competitor strategies, and market suppliers to inform sourcing decisions.

+ Provide cost analysis for new and existing parts and support cost reduction initiatives.

+ Collaborate closely with colleagues in procurement to identify and implement continuous improvement and business improvement opportunities.

+ Negotiate contracts, prices, and terms of business with suppliers, using negotiation and procurement best practices to achieve savings.

+ Build, maintain, and manage strong supplier relationships and ensure consistent, professional communication.

+ Conduct research to identify new components and potential suppliers to support sourcing strategies.

+ Compile and maintain data related to supplier performance to support evaluation and decision-making.

+ Contact suppliers to resolve issues related to price, quality, delivery, or invoices.

+ Resolve supplier shortages and past-due situations to protect service levels and customer satisfaction.

+ Update and maintain commodity strategies in alignment with organizational goals.

+ Work with cost estimating teams to develop cost estimates for savings negotiations and to mitigate supplier price increase requests.

+ Produce weekly reports, charts, and status updates on open assignments and projects for leadership and stakeholders.

+ Perform market tests, analyze supplier responses, and award sourcing of parts based on defined criteria.

+ Review open vehicles off road (VOR) and backorders on a weekly basis and expedite parts delivery as needed.

+ Gather data, analyze issues, and develop practical solutions to purchasing and supply chain challenges.

+ Operate as a strong communicator who is comfortable addressing conflict and driving resolution with suppliers and internal partners.

Essential Skills

+ 3-10 years of experience in purchasing, with a focus on purchasing or procurement responsibilities.

+ Automotive or original equipment (OE) purchasing experience.

+ Proven experience as a buyer or purchasing professional handling purchase orders, supplier negotiations, and supplier portfolios.

+ Strong negotiation skills with the ability to secure favorable terms, pricing, and conditions.

+ Experience in purchasing/procurement and supplier relationship management.

+ Hands-on experience with Ariba and I-ERP systems for purchase order processing.

+ Intermediate Microsoft Excel skills, including the ability to perform data analysis (testing required).

+ Demonstrated ability to perform data analysis to support purchasing decisions and cost reduction activities.

+ Strong organization skills and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.

+ Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly communicate with suppliers and cross-functional teams.

+ Comfort working through conflict and addressing issues directly with suppliers and internal stakeholders.

+ Motivated, self-starter, and solution-oriented mindset.

+ Ability to work collaboratively with procurement and cross-functional teams to support continuous improvement.

+ Completed bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or a related field.

Additional

Skills & Qualifications

+ SAP experience.

+ Additional Ariba experience beyond basic purchase order processing.

+ Proven record of successful negotiations leading to cost savings or improved terms.

+ Project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple assignments and deadlines.

+ Experience using ERP systems to support purchasing and procurement activities.

+ Experience in supplier performance evaluation and reporting.

+ Strong business acumen and understanding of supply chain principles.

+ Curiosity and a continuous improvement mindset…