Purchasing Assistant Manager

Panasonic Corporation of North America; Tijuana; On-site; MXN 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Panasonic Corporation of North America is seeking a Purchasing Manager for our Mexico operations to lead strategic and operational purchasing in a manufacturing environment. You will ensure timely availability of materials, manage supplier performance, and drive cost optimizations while aligning with production schedules.

You will oversee raw materials, components, and manufacturing supplies, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and implement corrective actions.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in Purchasing, Procurement, or Supply Chain within a manufacturing environment.
• 2+ years in a supervisory or leadership role preferred.
• Experience managing domestic and international suppliers.
• Strong background in direct material procurement, inventory management, and supplier negotiations.
• Experience in metal-mechanical manufacturing or industrial production environments preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute purchasing strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Oversee procurement activities for raw materials, components, and manufacturing supplies.
• Ensure material availability to support production schedules and minimize operational disruptions.
• Monitor purchase orders, supplier deliveries, and material shortages.
• Identify opportunities for cost reduction and process optimization.
• Evaluate supplier performance based on quality, cost, delivery, and service.
• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with domestic and international suppliers.
• Support supplier negotiations, contracts, and commercial agreements.
• Implement corrective action plans for suppliers with performance issues.
• Identify alternative suppliers to mitigate supply chain risks.
• Collaborate with Production Planning, Manufacturing, Logistics, and Inventory Control teams.
• Monitor material requirements through ERP and MRP systems.
• Support inventory optimization initiatives to reduce excess and obsolete inventory.
• Identify potential material shortages and implement preventive actions.
• Ensure purchasing activities align with production forecasts and customer demand.
• Analyze material costs, market trends, and supplier pricing.
• Support annual cost reduction and productivity initiatives.
• Monitor purchasing budgets and cost-saving performance.
• Identify opportunities for supplier consolidation and strategic sourcing.
• Collaborate with Finance to ensure purchasing decisions support financial objectives.
• Support the Purchasing Manager in supervising and developing the purchasing team.
• Establish performance expectations and monitor purchasing KPIs.
• Provide coaching and guidance to buyers and purchasing personnel.
• Promote accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Support cross-functional initiatives to improve supply chain performance.
• Implement purchasing process improvements to increase operational efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, purchasing procedures, and applicable regulations.
• Participate in supplier audits and quality improvement initiatives.
• Support Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement projects.
• Develop contingency plans to minimize supply chain disruptions.

Skills

ERP/MRP systems

Strategic sourcing

Supplier management

Inventory control

Data analysis

Excel

Lean manufacturing

International purchasing

Negotiation

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in supply chain management / related field

Master's degree in supply chain management or MBA

Tools

SAP

Oracle

Job description

Resumen

Is responsible for supporting the strategic and operational management of purchasing activities within a manufacturing environment, ensuring the timely availability of raw materials, components, and services required to support production operations.This position focuses on supplier performance, cost optimization, inventory management, supply chain efficiency, and continuous improvement while maintaining alignment with production schedules, quality standards, and organizational objectives.

Responsabilidades

Mains Responsibilities:

• Support the development and execution of purchasing strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Oversee procurement activities for raw materials, components, and manufacturing supplies.
• Ensure material availability to support production schedules and minimize operational disruptions.
• Monitor purchase orders, supplier deliveries, and material shortages.
• Identify opportunities for cost reduction and process optimization.
• Evaluate supplier performance based on quality, cost, delivery, and service.
• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with domestic and international suppliers.
• Support supplier negotiations, contracts, and commercial agreements.
• Implement corrective action plans for suppliers with performance issues.
• Identify alternative suppliers to mitigate supply chain risks.
• Collaborate with Production Planning, Manufacturing, Logistics, and Inventory Control teams.
• Monitor material requirements through ERP and MRP systems.
• Support inventory optimization initiatives to reduce excess and obsolete inventory.
• Identify potential material shortages and implement preventive actions.
• Ensure purchasing activities align with production forecasts and customer demand.
• Analyze material costs, market trends, and supplier pricing.
• Support annual cost reduction and productivity initiatives.
• Monitor purchasing budgets and cost-saving performance.
• Identify opportunities for supplier consolidation and strategic sourcing.
• Collaborate with Finance to ensure purchasing decisions support financial objectives.
• Support the Purchasing Manager in supervising and developing the purchasing team.
• Establish performance expectations and monitor purchasing KPIs.
• Provide coaching and guidance to buyers and purchasing personnel.
• Promote accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Support cross-functional initiatives to improve supply chain performance.
• Implement purchasing process improvements to increase operational efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, purchasing procedures, and applicable regulations.
• Participate in supplier audits and quality improvement initiatives.
• Support Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement projects.
• Develop contingency plans to minimize supply chain disruptions.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, Logistics, or a related field.
• Master's degree in Supply Chain Management or Business Administration preferred.

Professional Experience

• 5+ years of experience in Purchasing, Procurement, or Supply Chain within a manufacturing environment.
• 2+ years of experience in a supervisory or leadership role preferred.
• Experience managing domestic and international suppliers.
• Strong background in direct material procurement, inventory management, and supplier negotiations.
• Experience in metal-mechanical manufacturing or industrial production environments preferred.

Technical Skills

• Advanced knowledge of ERP and MRP systems, such as SAP or Oracle.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and material planning.
• Supplier performance management and strategic sourcing.
• Inventory control and cost reduction strategies.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel and data analysis skills.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Understanding of international purchasing, import/export processes, and supply chain risk management.

Core Competencies

• Strategic thinking and problem-solving.
• Leadership and team development.
• Strong negotiation and communication skills.
• Analytical and financial acumen.
• Decision-making and results orientation.
• Cross-functional collaboration.
• Adaptability in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Language Requirements

• Advanced English proficiency, both written and spoken.
• Ability to communicate effectively with international suppliers and cross-functional teams.