Entry Level Buyer

Job Title: Entry Level Buyer

Location: Ladson, SC / Summerville, SC

Status of Hire: full-time, direct hire, salaried exempt

Compensation: $50-60k depending on experience

Reports To:         Purchasing Manager

Job Summary:

Responsible for sourcing & purchasing of production and non-production material from both local/domestic and international suppliers. Responsible for meeting program timing and cost in support of company goals and objectives. 

Essential Functions:

• Negotiate prices, capacity and timing for: Prototypes, PPAP samples, production material, and tooling with suppliers in order to internal project external customer targets
• Submit RFQs to suppliers for new components and engineering changes to existing components
• Analyze data & propose sourcing solutions.
• Represent Purchasing in cross departmental project teams
• Assist with efforts in new supplier development, validation & implementation
• Assist in resolution of supplier, commercial, delivery and quality issues
• Support development of purchasing and supply base strategy
• Support Low Cost Country (LCC) strategies
• Support supplier audits and run at rates
• Communicate and coordinate activities with buyers at all locations
• Prepare & present purchasing activity reports
• Work miscellaneous procurement and administrative projects as required
• Maintains department quality standards per IATF 16949 requirements

Education Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Business or equivalent in a technical related field
• APICS or ISM affiliation/certification preferred

Experience:

• At least 1-2 years’ of experience in direct material purchasing functions in the automotive industry which may include successfully completed co-op or internship programs in school / degree coursework
• International and wide-range domestic purchasing experience preferred

Specific Skills Required:

• Knowledge and experience of automotive Advance Product Quality Planning (APQP)
• Knowledge and experience of Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) methodology
• Ability to interpret drawings
• Ability to perform cost and financial calculations (e.g. CAPEX)
• Knowledge of capacity and OEE calculations
• Must have excellent negotiating skills for commercial issues
• Must be able to use MS Office software effectively, special knowledge of MS Excel required
• Tier 1 or Tier 2 Automotive manufacturing purchasing experience
• Knowledge/experience of forging, machining processes, and purchasing steel commodities
• SAP R/3 working knowledge a plus

**Must be authorized to work in the US for any employer; client is unable provide authorization or sponsorship at this time

**Must be able to pass a pre-employment drug test and background check to be eligible for hire

**Local candidates only; no relocation is offered at this time (or must  be able to relocate at own expense)