Strategic Sourcing Buyer

Drive your Career

Lear, a global automotive technology leader in Seating and E-Systems, enables superior in-vehicle experience for consumers around the world. Our diverse team of talented employees in 38 countries is driven by a commitment to innovation, operational excellence, and sustainability. Lear is Making every drive better™ by providing the technology for safer, smarter, and more comfortable journeys. Lear, headquartered in Southfield, Michigan, serves every major automaker in the world.

Position Focus:

• Comprehend complex technical RFQs related to Seating and E-system plants which include but not limited to automation lines, equipment, testers, special purpose machines & assembly lines and present key aspects for clarity and focus to internal stakeholders and suppliers ensuring competitive bidding through Coupa system.
• Operate as lead negotiator in high level, high value negotiations with major suppliers/providers.
• Achieve segment capex spend related cost savings, cost avoidance, and free cash flow improvement targets for each segment each quarter focusing on strategic year-over-year savings and development of roadmap ideas.
• Liaise and work collaboratively with cross functional partners and executive leadership team to assess business needs and execute against strategy, spend, and savings objectives.
• Lead purchasing efforts for sourcing strategy, supplier consolidation, supplier identification, sourcing execution, contract negotiation, savings idea generation, savings performance, and ongoing performance management.
• Support global and regional strategies aligning with operational business objectives with cross functional collaboration focused on holistic global / region-wide long term cost structure management, vendor consolidation, and cost saving solutions.
• Support the transformation of the function into a centralized and strategic sourcing center-of-excellence with strong focus on developing transparency with key stakeholders while delivering compliance every time.
• Increase spending under management, enforce purchasing processes, and Coupa system compliance for all bidding and sourcing activities with both internal business partners and external suppliers.
• Cultivate professional relationships with global and regional leadership teams.
• Ensure compliance with global and regional procedures, policies, and regulations.
• Support internal and external quality, SOX, FOA, and compliance audits.

Education: Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Business, Management, or related field is preferred

Experience:

• 5-10 years progressive purchasing experience in Non-Production Purchasing in area of capex, preferably in an automotive or Industrial segment or both.
• Direct experience as lead negotiator in high level, high value negotiations with major global providers.
• Experience in technical projects purchase particularly in automation, tooling with cross functional collaboration a plus (Legal, Finance, IT, Operations etc.).

Position Specific Requirements:

• Demonstrate unquestionable integrity and character.
• In-depth knowledge of sourcing and purchasing principles and best practices with strong process and controls knowledge and execution.
• Ability to lead multiple projects simultaneously managing dynamic needs and tight deadlines.
• Change management skills and self-awareness to take varying approaches with a dynamic set of stakeholders.
• Strategic and analytical mindset with the ability to consider non-traditional approaches as the function, our needs, and our business evolve.
• Strong record of achievement in cost savings targets.
• Demonstrate ability to develop and maintain effective professional relationships across functions and in the supply base.
• Ability to work in a highly productive, constantly changing environment.
• Excellent communication and listening skills.
• Proactive and results oriented.
• Proficient in both written and spoken English.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Strong negotiation & collaboration skills.
• Understanding of standard contract terms and conditions to mitigate commercial and legal risk.
• Limited travel as needed.