Commodity Buyer - Plymouth, United States - Tenneco

Description

Tenneco is one of the world's leading designer, manufacturers and marketers of automotive products for original equipment and aftermarket customers, with approximately team members working at more than 300 sites worldwide. Through our four business groups, Motorparts, Ride Performance, Clean Air and Powertrain, Tenneco is driving advancements in global mobility by delivering technology solutions for diversified global markets, including light vehicle, commercial truck, off-highway, industrial, motorsport and the aftermarket.

Key responsibilities:

• Understand and effectively communicate to internal / external stakeholders global business trends & drivers (technological, market dynamics & business footprints)
• Segment and define supply base to support trends and drivers
• Collect cost breakdowns from incumbent and potential new suppliers to enlarge pricing structure knowledge and visibility
• Develop and define commodity strategies to achieve corporate, purchasing & BU goals / objectives
• Should include supply base rationalization, development & spend management/segmentation for geographic considerations, Best Cost Country (BCC), Localization objectives, BU/plant-specific needs, new technologies, marketing/product strategies and cost management goals
• Facilitate commodity strategy meetings to cross-functional/cross-business audience
• Act as the Business Plan, forecast and strategic plan manager for the BU
• Utilize commodity expertise and Commodity strategies to create/update Business Plans and Strategic Plan Metrics: incl. Cost reduction, interim negotiations, BCC objectives, supplier performance objectives, advanced technology drivers
• Serve as single-point-of-contact for Plan development, forecasts, and reconciliation.
• Provide recover mechanisms for cost drives, when necessary
• Develop Supplier Partnerships/Strategic Alliances as necessary to support/enhance commodities strategies
• Serve as focal point for escalation of all supplier relationship issues
• Drive supplier approval process
• Maintain supplier status relating to scorecards, business drivers and developmental needs (where applicable)
• Manage/drive commodity review of projects for all relevant commodity activities
• Manage ad hoc cross-functional teams (incl. BU and Purchasing functions)
• Manage/drive supply base consolidation and rationalization to increase negotiation leverage and efficiency
• Capitalize on all purchasing opportunities, future & current, to create the highest leverage across commodities
• Set negotiation strategy and direction for commodity negotiation settings, include appropriate team members
• Manage cost recovery, as necessary
• Drive cash flow improvements initiatives (payment terms negotiations, consignment stock agreements, stock level rationalization, shortening LT, etc.)
• As Contract Sponsor, negotiate, create, maintain & enforce all commodity supplier contracts
• Maintain price tables and/or manage requisitions for pricing related to commodity contracts/negotiations
• Determine contract turnover levels and related criteria for approval. Store contracts according to Federal-Mogul Corporation policy
• Coordinate with Corporation legal team to ensure contractual obligations minimize risk to the Company
• Purchasing participant on Advanced Technology projects related to commodities - negotiate upfront with supplier technology partners to mitigate downstream risk
• Utilize Advanced Technology knowledge to set technological direction for commodity strategies
• Able to accommodate BU/plant-specific and geographical commodity requirements.
• Comply with the safety and environment requirements and responsibilities.

Ideal candidate experience:

Skills and capabilities (leadership and/or functional):

• Possess knowledge of supply market trends and characteristics (e.g., associations, trade publications and indexes, etc.)
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Proficient experience in the use of Microsoft Office Software, with advanced level ability in the use of Excel & Power Point
• Fluent in English language, any other language skills will be a plus

Qualifications/ certifications:

• Business School Degree / degree in engineering with knowledge in Materials Management or Logistics. A Master Degree would be an asset
• Minimum of 3-5 years' experience in Purchasing/Procurement and / or a Materials Management related field with a preference towards high volume manufacturing related Non- Ferrous Metal, Chemical, Resins, Fibers, Rubber, & Mineral industries
• Demonstrated background and proven experience with high level supplier negotiations and materials management

An Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.