Scope of Position:
The Sr. Buyer, Advanced Purchasing is a cross-functional role that requires close coordination among internal and external partners. In this role, you are responsible for the execution of all purchasing activities during the Program development process for assigned commodities. This includes sourcing through the identification, pre-selection and development of reliable, high-quality suppliers of motorcycle parts and systems throughout the development phase and to a minimum of 3 months post Start of Production (SOP). After a successful launch, a transfer of responsibility to Supply Chain Purchasing is organized.
Key Responsibilities:
- Manage new Program purchasing activity for assigned commodities, including managing the
tooling budget, prototype ordering, terms negotiation, expediting delivery and holding self and others accountable for delivering timely results.
- Create, forecast, and execute sourcing and tooling plans to ensure product launch meets all program targets for quality, cost, and timing.
- Lead the Request for Quote (RFQ) process, ensuring adherence to overall BOM cost targets based on TCO for assigned commodities.
- Deliver clear-to-build status, material coverage, run-out reports and other analyses as needed to plan Engineering Builds.
- Manage new Program supply and quality issues during launch including tracking FAI orders and passing FAI results to ensure timely qualification of parts and supply for SOP.
- Promptly and effectively react to any supply chain concerns or opportunities. Lead Purchasing related work on engineering change orders.
- Hold suppliers accountable to commitments and project deliverables independently and take the appropriate steps to escalate when required.
- Collaborate with Quality in co-leading supplier process/systems and component qualification, to ensure smooth path through developmental phases into production.
- Drive commercial cost negotiations with suppliers to ensure Zero receives best possible pricing; leverage cost models and analysis on current market conditions.
- Lead production build logistics, from a procurement standpoint, including issuing all tooling and production material PO’s up to 3 months after SOP.
- Monitor current market conditions and technology roadmaps to proactively identify and address any supply challenges and to determine future business opportunities.
- Build and maintain operational partnerships with assigned suppliers. Act as the primary interface with suppliers on delivery status, issues and resolution. Escalate to commercial or technical partners when required (procurement, accounts payable, quality, engineering, etc.).
- Act as functional lead supporting a structured project development process, working in close collaboration with commodity buyers grow strategic supplier relationships during development phase and driving up efficiencies through the entire supply chain.
- Coordinate the qualification and on-boarding of new suppliers.
- Report on supplier performance metrics and systems for supplier scorecards and business reviews
- Follow purchasing policies to ensure a fair, unbiased and consistent sourcing process during the development phase.
- Assure supplier capacity confirmation for all purchased components of a program.
- 3 months Post SOP, coordinate “hand-off” activities from Advanced to Operations Purchasing.
KPI:
- TCO vs Cost target for new programs
- Program launch timing not impacted by supply chain issues
Required Knowledge, Skills, Experience:
- 9+ years of working experience in a purchasing or product development role
- Motorcycle industry experience is preferred.
- Experience in commodity purchasing of various manufacturing processes of mechanical, electronics and electrical commodities.
- Experience preparing sourcing recommendations, supply chain strategies and cost roll up.
- Experience with ERP systems, preferably SAP.
- Expert in Excel and PowerPoint
Attributes:
- Strong written, verbal, listening, interpersonal and facilitation skills.
- Strong analytical skills with excellent interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills
- Analytical and time management skills; ability to plan, prioritize, manage multiple projects.
- Independent self-starter with good judgment and decision making / risk assessment skills
- Ability to build relationships throughout the organization to execute sourcing strategy and projects.
The salary range for this position is $120K - $140K depending on location and experience