Commodity Buyer

Volkswagen Group; Chattanooga (TN); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. seeks a strategic procurement professional in Chattanooga, TN to drive regional/global sourcing and cost optimization for production parts. You will lead regional sourcing, negotiate savings, analyze localization, and manage supplier relationships across VW Group America.

The role emphasizes cross-functional collaboration, data-driven decision making, and strategic supplier management within a global automotive context.

Qualifications

• Self-motivated with ability to work independently.
• Ability to communicate effectively at all levels with vendors.
• Flexibility and professionalism when dealing with suppliers.
• Influencing and negotiation skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication and presentation skills.
• Team player with problem-solving ability.
• Subject matter expert on VW purchasing systems.
• Data-driven decision analysis mindset.
• Proficient knowledge of supply chain methods and metrics.

Responsibilities

• Drive VW Group Global strategy and initiatives for NAR Region.
• Support team to establish annual business plan to optimize material cost of parts.
• Responsible for production parts sourcing for VW Group of America.
• Support localization and hidden cost strategies and implementation.
• Lead cost reduction activities and negotiate annual material cost savings.
• Develop Forward Sourcing Strategy and regional/global material group strategies.
• Coordinate with counterparts within the VW Group and with suppliers.
• Evaluate supplier risk and crisis management for disruptions.

Skills

Self-motivated

Independent work

Communication skills

Negotiation skills

Influencing skills

Team player

Problem solving

VW purchasing systems

Data-driven decision analysis

Supply chain metrics

Cross-cultural networking

Job description

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Worldwide, the Volkswagen Group has a long tradition of dramatic innovations. The Volkswagen Group with its headquarters in Wolfsburg, Germany is one of the world’s leading automobile manufacturers and the largest carmaker in Europe. The Group comprises twelve brands from seven European countries: Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Audi, SEAT, ŠKODA, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Porsche, Ducati, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Scania and MAN.

Brief Role Description

• Drive VW Group Global strategy and initiatives for NAR Region
• Support team to establish achieve an annual business plan to optimize the material cost of assigned parts.
• Responsible for production parts sourcing for Volkswagen Group of America.
• Support the team’s development and implementation of localization and hidden cost strategies as well as your own.

Possible Tasks within this Role

Business Plan (50%)

• Lead Business “on-top” cost reduction activities within their Commodity
• Achieve annual business plan savings commitments as defined by Commodity Manager.
• Negotiate annual material cost savings with assigned suppliers and material groups and report on a monthly basis.
• Analyze localization and deep localization rate of assigned parts. Develop and implement strategies to increase localization and deep localization rate.
• Benchmark competitor products and specifications for cost optimization. Participate in cost reduction workshops to identify alternative materials, manufacturing processes, etc.

Forward Sourcing (35%)

• Lead the overall strategy in the region to develop Forward Sourcing Strategy for their assigned Material Groups
• Leverage current business with future business through Global Sourcing
• Implement regional and global material group strategies. Coordinate as necessary with counterparts within the VW Group.
• Create sourcing presentations with recommendations which contain supporting (e.g. Benchmark data)
• Develop and implement localization and hidden cost strategies.
• Establish and maintain supplier strategy which support regional and global material group strategies.
• Utilize product knowledge and expertise to evaluate optimal material cost of future vehicle programs.

Secure Production Parts (15%)

• Travel to suppliers as long as needed to monitor an part shortage situation
• Teach new Buyers how to handle part shortage situations
• Responsible for crisis management of unforeseen supply chain disruptions.
• Proactively evaluate suppliers to identify potential risk

Evaluate and negotiate Engineering Change Requests with suppliers to achieve optimum piece price, investment and timing.

Qualification requirements

Required:

• Self-motivated with ability to work independently
• Ability to communicate and interact effectively at all levels within the organization and with outside vendors / suppliers
• Flexibility and professionalism in dealing with suppliers and internal customers
• Influencing and negotiation skills
• Strong verbal & written communication and presentation skills
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a team
• Proven negotiation and problem solving skills
• Key subject matter expert on VW purchasing systems
• Analyze and monitor Global macro-economic, geo-political and unforeseen events
• A deep technical understanding of Automotive Purchasing
• A high level of technical understand for cost drivers in Purchased Parts
• Ability to network across cultures/languages
• Experienced in data-driven decision analysis
• Proficient knowledge of supply chain methods and metrics

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Skills

Volkswagen Group of America is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome and encourage applicants from all backgrounds, and do not discriminate based on race, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, color, gender identity/expression, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by applicable laws.

This role description is a guideline and does not create contractual rights between the Company and any of its applicants. The Company does not enter into any type of employment contract, implied or written, with its applicants regarding job security.

This Organization participates in E-Verify. We maintain a drug free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing.

Job ID: 30525

Company: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Location:Chattanooga, TN, US, 37416

Department: Purchasing and Procurement

Working Model: Full-time

Contract Type: Unlimited

Remote Working: According to company policy

Posting Date: Oct 22, 2026

Join the New Volkswagen team.

If you aspire to be part of the mobility of the future, Volkswagen is for you. We are the ideal match for people with a passion for innovation, oriented to achieve sustainable results, and who can work in a team generating positive and collaborative work environments. Here is your next challenge.

Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc., an operating unit of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VWoA) is headquartered in Reston, Virginia. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. VWoA’s operations in the United States include research and development, parts and vehicle processing, parts distribution centers, sales, marketing and service offices, financial service centers, and its stateof-the-art manufacturing facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

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