Senior Buyer – Metal Components (Automotive)

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