Category Buyer

Summary: The Direct Category Buyer at Astemo plays a key role in managing supplier relationships and overseeing procurement strategies within assigned commodities. This role requires deep product knowledge and strong sourcing acumen to ensure suppliers meet company standards for quality, cost, and delivery, while also promoting continuous improvement and innovation. The ideal candidate will be proactive, analytical, and capable of influencing strategic decisions across a global supply base.Minimum QualificationsBachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or a related fieldMinimum 3 years of experience in purchasing or a closely related fieldWillingness and ability to travel to suppliers and Astemo facilities as needed (domestic and international)Preferred QualificationsProcurement experience in the automotive industryStrong background in Chemicals and Rubber parts sourcing and strategyWorking with SAPBilingual fluency in English and Japanese is a plusKey ResponsibilitiesCollect and analyze category, regional, and supplier-specific dataRecommend strategic direction to the Global Category Manager based on market intelligencePropose and implement cost reduction, avoidance, and continuous improvement initiativesContribute to annual budget planning and forecasting activitiesLead negotiations with suppliers (pricing, payment terms, tooling, commercial terms, capacity, EOL, etc.)Formalize and manage supplier contractsOwn sourcing decisions within assigned categories, aligning with global strategy and BU timelinesSupport Business Units during acquisition phases with cost estimates and “should-cost” analysis via the Cost Engineering teamEnsure implementation of global/regional category strategiesAssist in Value Engineering/Cost (VEC) initiatives and supplier negotiationsReport KPIs by supplier and part numberDevelop and manage relationships with regional and local suppliersMonitor and track supplier performance and ensure complianceAdjust negotiation strategies based on supplier conditions and market dynamicsSupport issue resolution and supplier escalations in collaboration with Business Units and regional teamsRequired Skills and AbilitiesAbility to work independently with minimal supervisionStrong written and verbal communication skillsProven negotiation and contract management skillsResults-oriented with a demonstrated ability to implement strategic initiativesStrong interpersonal skills with the ability to influence, collaborate, and build relationships across teamsProficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word)Effective time management, organization, and problem-solving abilitiesSupervisory ResponsibilitiesThis role does not include direct supervision of staffWorking ConditionsPrimarily office-based (hybrid schedule), with regular interaction in factory environmentsOccasional exposure to noise typical of manufacturing settingsDomestic and international travel required, depending on supplier and business needsPhysical & Mental RequirementsAbility to sit for extended periodsVisual acuity to work accurately with data, documents, and computer monitors