The Role
GM’s Industrialization M&E Automation Purchasing team is looking for a Material Handling Automation Buyer that will be responsible for the purchasing of material automation equipment including Automated Mobile Robots (AMR), Software and Integration services. A successful candidate is highly engaged, passionate about new automation technologies, familiar with purchasing processes and values cross-functional collaboration. In addition, comfortable working in ambiguity and thinking outside the box to meet the demands of the growing automation market.
What You’ll Do
- Stay on top of automation technology trends, market changes, and industry news to support supply base strategy and decision making
- Manage the complete commodity and sourcing process from strategy development to the issuance of PO and sourcing pipelines
- Identify potential suppliers which will improve the overall competitiveness of GM
- Lead cross-functional strategic global sourcing teams
- Lead contractual negotiations with suppliers to optimize GM’s competitive position, including General Terms & Conditions and Global Supply Agreements
- Conduct spend analysis, global benchmarking, and market research to identify savings and efficiency opportunities
- Responsible for maintaining sourcing pipeline, benchmarking data, strategy presentations, global budget, and on-time metrics
- Adhere to corporate and departmental purchasing and accounting practices and procedures
- Sourcing and contracting activities that include, but are not limited to:
- Sourcing strategy, bid list development & management
- Quote analysis and review
- Coordination and alignment of RFQ package components, including Terms & Conditions, SOR compliance, technical documentation and quality alignment
- Leader's sourcing recommendation and alignment with cross-functional teams
- Management of sourcing documentation related to RFQ process in adherence to the GM Audit Services requirements
- Support direct material budget activities
- Lead supplier relationship management initiatives, including “Strategic Supplier Engagement” and nurture relationship with suppliers by acting as a focal point for commercial issue resolution
- Perform change management activities
- Lead or represent the purchasing function in supplier KPI reviews
- Represent purchasing and support mitigation of supply chain disruptions
Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)
Education:
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Finance, related field, or equivalent work experience
- Preferred: Master's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, or related advanced degree a plus
- 5+ years relevant post-graduate work experience in purchasing, supply chain, program/product management, logistics or product development
Competency Level:
- Proficient in completing tasks autonomously, without coaching the following competencies:
- Data Judgement - Ability to objectively analyze data and draw meaningful conclusions
- Informative Communication - Ability to communicate relevant information to the appropriate audience both effectively and timely
- Relationship Management - Develops and maintains constructive, cooperative working relationships
- At a minimum, demonstrates ability to execute with little support in the following competencies:
- Negotiation - engage in collaborative discussions to reach meaningful agreements
- Analytical Thinking - Consider various factors in decision making to determine solutions and their impacts
- Results Focus - Take charge without prompting, seize opportunities and deliver on time
- Workload Management - Manage multiple tasks with quality and prioritize by critical needs
- Ability to travel 10% domestically and internationally
What Can Give You a Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)
- Experience with commodities
- Cost analysis or manufacturing experience
- Automotive industry experience
- Knowledge of Capacity and Materials Management
- Capable of drawing conclusions from complex data, market trends and the regulatory environment
- Ability to understand basic engineering documents and technical drivers for the applicable commodities
- Knowledge of contract law as it applies to the purchasing processes
