Buyer 1-3, Machining & Forging

Knorr Bremse Group; Avon (OH); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC, part of the Knorr-Bremse Group, is seeking a procurement professional to manage the supply base and execute sourcing strategies across assigned commodity categories.

You will negotiate with suppliers, collaborate with engineering, quality, and operations, and drive cost reductions while learning SAP and ERP processes in a fast-paced, global environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Engineering, Operations, or related field.
• 1-3 years in purchasing, supply chain, operations, manufacturing, or related fields; internship/co-op experience accepted.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, matrixed environment and learn procurement processes quickly.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and manage commodity strategies; evaluate and select suppliers and negotiate contracts.
• Assist supplier management for lower-complexity commodities and develop toward independent management.
• Collect and analyze supplier quotations, pricing changes, and basic cost drivers to support sourcing decisions.
• Coordinate with engineering, quality, operations, planning, finance, and suppliers to support part changes and continuity of supply.
• Support cost reduction, productivity, and supplier improvement initiatives with data and savings tracking.

Skills

Procurement

Supplier management

Negotiation

Analytics

Communication

Learning agility

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

SAP exposure

ERP/MRP knowledge

Job description

Want to help shape tomorrow? At Bendix, we set the standard with advanced dynamic solutions that drive improved commercial vehicle performance and safety. We’re part of the Knorr-Bremse Group, the global leader in braking technologies. As part of our team, you’ll collaborate with a world of talented and dedicated colleagues whose sense of purpose complements your own. You’ll find rewarding opportunities, diverse experiences, partnerships, and an unwavering commitment to ethics and integrity.

Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of the Company to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

ON-SITE/REMOTE: On-site

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position Summary

Manage the supply base to meet the strategic objectives of Global Procurement and the needs of internal and external customers, product groups, and manufacturing in terms of quality, cost, delivery, and commercial terms. Independently manage assigned commodities and suppliers, execute sourcing strategies, lead negotiations, drive cost reduction and supplier performance improvement initiatives, and support more complex cross-functional procurement activities.

Essential Functions

• Develop, implement, and manage commodity strategies for assigned categories; evaluate and select suppliers, assess global sourcing opportunities, negotiate supply agreements, and support supply base rationalization.
• Assist with supplier management activities for assigned lower-complexity commodities, with development toward independently managing selected suppliers and standard components over time.
• Collect and analyze supplier quotations, pricing changes, delivery information, and basic cost drivers to support sourcing decisions and negotiations.
• Coordinate with engineering, quality, operations, planning, finance, and suppliers to support part changes, supplier performance follow-up, launch readiness, and continuity of supply.
• Support cost reduction, productivity, and supplier improvement initiatives by preparing data, tracking actions, following up on open items, and documenting savings or avoidance opportunities.
• Learn and apply procurement processes, ERP/SAP transactions, supplier communication practices, and internal approval workflows under guidance from the category team.
• Develop capability to manage supplier issues, elevate risks, support recovery actions, and contribute to long-term supply base strategy as experience grows.

Knowledge

• Foundational understanding of purchasing, supply chain, supplier management, and basic business processes, with willingness and ability to learn procurement practices quickly.
• Basic knowledge of manufacturing environments, supplier performance measures, and quality, delivery, cost, and responsiveness expectations.
• Developing understanding of how business, engineering, operations, manufacturing, and purchasing priorities connect.
• Basic familiarity with ERP/MRP concepts and purchasing systems; SAP experience or exposure preferred but not required.

Experience

• 1-3 years of purchasing, supply chain, operations, manufacturing, engineering, or related experience; strong co-op, internship, or rotation program experience will be considered.
• Preferred experience or exposure managing, supporting, or purchasing C-class components, including nuts, bolts, washers, labels, fasteners, or other standard components.
• Nice to have basic exposure to stampings, machining, forgings, special components, supplier quotations, part drawings, bills of material, or manufacturing cost drivers.
• Experience working with ERP or purchasing systems preferred; SAP exposure is a plus.
• Exposure to quote analysis, supplier follow-up, cost reduction support, negotiation preparation, or project tracking is preferred but not required.

Skills

• High learning agility with a strong interest in procurement, supplier management, manufacturing, and commercial problem solving.
• Strong attention to detail, follow-through, organization, and ability to manage multiple priorities with guidance.
• Analytical mindset with ability to review quotes, pricing data, supplier information, part details, and basic cost drivers.
• Effective communication skills with ability to interact professionally with suppliers and internal stakeholders across engineering, quality, operations, planning, and finance.
• Problem-solving capability, including active listening, issue identification, data review, escalation, and timely follow-up.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced, matrixed environment with willingness to learn global and regional procurement processes.
• Basic negotiation awareness preferred, including preparation, data gathering, supplier communication, and support for commercial discussions.

Education

• Bachelor's degree required; Business, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Operations, Manufacturing, or related field preferred.
• Co-op, internship, or academic project experience in Purchasing, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Engineering, or Operations is strongly preferred.

Position Requirements

The demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Become part of our team!

Join us in shaping the mobility of the future!

We - that's around 32,000 employees worldwide. At over 100 locations in more than 30 countries, we are committed to progress on rail and road through technological excellence, sustainable management and social responsibility. Our most recent turnover was 7.8 billion euros. With us, you can expect an exciting and varied job in an international environment as well as an attractive package.

Nearest Major Market: Cleveland

Nearest Secondary Market: Akron