Purchasing Project Buyer

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Illinois, +4 more states.

📋 Description

• Lead purchasing projects and initiatives aimed at reducing costs, enhancing supplier performance, improving logistics, ensuring quality, and driving operational enhancements.

• Evaluate purchasing expenditures, cost data, market dynamics, supplier risks, and additional business metrics to discover opportunities for improvement and savings.

• Create project plans, establish milestones and target outcomes, assign tasks, and oversee progress until completion.

• Collaborate with Purchasing, Engineering, Operations, Finance, and other functional teams to execute approved projects.

• Assist Commodity Managers with purchasing initiatives, supplier challenges, negotiations, and problem-solving efforts.

• Present business cases, savings opportunities, project status updates, and implementation strategies to Purchasing and Operations leadership.

• Monitor and report on project progress, risks, actions, and outcomes to management and stakeholders.

• Coordinate project teams and offer guidance to team members as necessary.

• Support tactical purchasing tasks, including supplier onboarding, pricing modifications, cost adjustments, supplier delivery escalations, and annual pricing reviews.

• Engage in supplier negotiations, contract assessments, bid evaluations, and the development of purchasing policies.

• Review purchase orders, supplier claims, contracts, and related documents for compliance.

• Participate in the development and review of specifications for equipment, products, materials, and alternative sources.

• Prepare bid recommendations and supporting analyses for approval by Purchasing Management.

• Ensure project documentation, findings, and implementation plans are accurate, accessible, and well-communicated.

• Assist in program launches and approved purchasing initiatives across relevant CVG locations.

• Engage in special projects and cross-functional initiatives.

• Act as an informal team leader when necessary.

⛳️ Requirements

• 10+ years of direct purchasing experience, ideally in a manufacturing setting; a suitable combination of education and experience may be considered.

• Proven experience in leading cross-functional projects and purchasing initiatives from inception to implementation.

• Familiarity with cost reduction, supplier management, negotiations, sourcing, or purchasing projects.

• Knowledge of AIAG Project Management processes and/or structured project management methodologies.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, capable of effective communication across various levels of a global organization.

• Strong organizational and time-management skills, able to manage multiple priorities independently while meeting deadlines.

• Customer-focused and solution-oriented mindset, with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced and evolving manufacturing environment.

• High proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel and Word.

• Experience with ERP and manufacturing systems is preferred.

• Ability to effectively influence and collaborate with cross-functional teams without direct authority.

• Willingness and capability to take ownership of projects and drive them to successful completion.

• Applicants must be authorized to work in the country of the job posting location on a full-time basis.

• Visa sponsorship is not available.

🏝️ Benefits

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.

• Opportunities for professional growth and development.

• Access to a collaborative and innovative work environment.