The Role
A successful Initial Order Buyer is one who is responsible for contracting initial order contracts for upcoming launches as well as service parts, is customer (stakeholder) focused, influences change, naturally accepts ownership and accountability for accomplishing program launch deliverables, explores opportunities to add value to job responsibilities with a continued focus on achieving operational objectives.
What You’ll Do
- Conduct supplier meetings, remove roadblocks & resolve issues related to packaging quotes, minimum order quantities.
- Send RFQ’s to suppliers and work to get them returned within the expected time frame.
- Negotiate packaging and validate piece prices.
- process initial order contracts following launch metrics.
- Work independently with decisions made based on established policies and procedures.
- Responds to internal inquiries about vendors, price and availability of materials and tools.
- Promote the adoption of new processes and simplification.
- Maintains records of prices and terms negotiated with suppliers.
- Work cross-functionally with relevant stakeholders
GM Systems & Cross-Functional Collaboration:
- Close collaboration with Engineering, Supply Chain, the broader purchasing team and others.
- Negotiate to align supplier packaging to GMs volume requirements.
- Service Plan knowledge to know if the parts will ship direct or to warehoused.
- Supplier collaboration to ensure the service plan is in-line with engineering (is the part unique for service (sub-component) or the full production assembly)
- Supply Chain engagement to verify part readiness (contracts are issued) and understand if there are any shipping concerns to meet launch timing.
- Purchasing dashboards to understand metrics for parts on contract and percentage complete for each program to adhere to program timing.
- GDiMPS to issue contracts, update for standard packs, indexing, CCA SDC, supplier shipping location and part inventory
- GDiMPS to understand production contracts and maintain production pricing to adhere to contract Terms and Conditions.
- Reflection/IMS/Mainframe to review any part history.
Candidates must demonstrate the following required competencies:
- Negotiation
- Communication
- Analytical Thinking
- Workload Management/Prioritization
- Vendor/Supplier Management
- Decision Making
Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)
- Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain, Finance or related field
- 1-2 years of purchasing experience/supply chain experience
- 1-2 years experience working with commodities, materials and products being purchased
- Ability to deal with ambiguity and forward-thinking environment.
- Intermediate level in MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint
What Will Give You a Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)
- Strong interpersonal skills involving ability to work effectively cross-functionally and cross-culturally
- Strong organizational skills including the ability to prioritize, manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines
- Strong written and oral communication skills necessary for meetings and presentations
- Ability to work well with others, exhibiting teamwork skills
- Ability to multitask by handling diverse assignments concurrently
- Comfortable working with cross-cultural teams
