Buyer, IMG Body Exterior

This role is for an OE Buyer in the Exterior Systems Team. You will be required to collaborate closely with Ford’s Supplier Partners as well as with Regional and Cross-functional Team Members.

You will focus on Cost, Quality, Delivery & Resilience Metrics championing end to end supplier management. You will be expected to pro-actively identify potential supply risks and use effective problem-solving methods to mitigate these risks.

You will need to use your effective negotiation skills to ensure on-time delivery of production parts, at optimal cost and at the right quality.

• Accuracy on costing, sourcing recommendations, negotiations

• Effective Collaboration: Ability to work effectively in a team, cross-functionally and with suppliers.

• Timelines: 100% placements of orders and claims on time.

• Resolution efficiency: Effective risk mitigation on supplier risks in relation to quality, delivery and costs.

• Well-developed written and verbal communication skills

• Full understanding of commodity purchasing, which influence product cost, piece price, quality, performance and capacity

• Well-developed collaboration / negotiation skills

• Ability to keep abreast of leading technologies and processes related to automotive commodities

• Well-developed business acumen and finance knowledge to ensure that accurate sourcing decisions are made

• Ability to manage change and conflict

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills including good communication skills

• Well-developed negotiation skills

• Well-developed communication skills

• Good presentation and computer skills

Quality

• Ensure supplier launch capacity and launch readiness

• Monitor supplier's Q1 activities, including Q1 Deviations/Waivers, Q1 Work plans and Q1 Action Plan implementation 

• Support supplier quality metrics meetings lead by STA and/or Commodity Purchasing through QCDR engagements 

Cost

• Negotiate and secure supplier commitment to program targets and work towards ongoing BIC costing

• Negotiation and management of production piece prices, engineering design changes, and tooling costs

• Issue purchase orders, lump sum payments, and tool orders for production requirements on a timely basis

• Drive recovery of aligned supplier responsibility warranty & supplier caused manufacturing costs losses

• Monitor supplier's on-going MCR design initiatives performance

• Drive the process to eliminate waste in the value chain using Lean Deployment, Total Cost Management, Quality Operating Systems, etc. 

• Conduct GEMBA workshops to develop Should Costs aiding negotiations

• Conduct and support ongoing supplier negotiations to meet annual cost reduction targets (TVM)

• Conduct ongoing benchmarking activities to ensure optimal costing

• In collaboration with Cost Estimating, develop and reconcile Optimal Cost Estimates

• Support annual Benchmark/Prorated Gap Allocation effort 

• Support distressed supplier management

Delivery and Sourcing

• Champion supplier delivery to ensure programs and ongoing production are unaffected

• Oversee suppliers value chains to ensure robust material coverage

• Complete sourcing actions on time to target to meet program launch deliverables

• Support development of global Category Business Plans

• Support after market parts and delivery team to ensure compliance on service expectations

Resilience

• Manage distressed suppliers ensuring robust PCA’s are in place to ensure production continuity

• Continuous engagement with suppliers through QCDR reviews/Cross Functional Business Reviews to ensure effective supplier management & relationship management

• Tier N value stream mapping to aid risk identification & resilience plans

• BBBEE engagement and management to ensure compliance to APDP expectations

 

• National Diploma or Degree in Purchasing/Engineering/B. Com./Commercial
• Minimum 3 years working experience in relevant disciplines and previous automotive purchasing experience would be a distinct advantage
• Valid Driving License