Commodity Buyer

Tenneco; Northville (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Tenneco is seeking a Commodity Buyer, Direct Materials, to source and manage assigned commodities supporting the Powertrain business. You will develop commodity strategies, negotiate with suppliers, and drive cost-reduction initiatives while coordinating with Engineering, Operations, Quality, and Finance to meet cost, quality, and supply targets.

You will monitor markets, maintain supplier relationships, and ensure timely reporting of savings forecasts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• Three+ years in purchasing, sourcing, or supply chain roles.
• Experience with direct-material sourcing, preferably automotive.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficiency with Excel, PowerPoint and ERP systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement sourcing strategies for Powertrain and exhaust commodities.
• Lead RFQ/RFI activities, analyze quotations and provide sourcing recommendations.
• Negotiate pricing, terms, lead times, and supplier agreements.
• Monitor supplier performance and drive cost-reduction initiatives.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Operations, Quality, and Finance.
• Maintain accurate pricing, contracts, and supplier data.
• Support launches, resourcing, and supplier transitions.
• Ensure compliance with purchasing policies and recordkeeping standards.

Skills

Analytical skills

Negotiation skills

Sourcing management

RFQ/RFI processes

Cost reduction

Cross-functional collaboration

Multi-project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management/Business/Engineering/Finance/Operations

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

ERP systems

Job description

ABOUT TENNECO

At Tenneco, we don’t follow industry standards; we set them, and we don’t settle for being best-in-class because we hustle to be better than best-in-class. Whether it’s our Core Values–radical candor, simplify, organizational velocity, tenacious execution and win–or our Get Stuff Done (GSD) mindset, we’re determined to become the most trusted partner and best manufacturer and distributor to the transportation industry.

Job Description – Commodity Buyer

At Tenneco, we don’t follow industry standards; we set them, and we don’t settle for being best-in-class because we hustle to be better than best-in-class. Whether it’s our Core Values–radical candor, simplify, organizational velocity, tenacious execution and win–or our Get Stuff Done (GSD) mindset, we’re determined to become the most trusted partner and best manufacturer and distributor to the transportation industry.

How do we make it happen? Through the Tenneco Way. Fueled by our Core Values, a winning mindset and a relentless commitment to excellence, the Tenneco Way is how we win. It’s what keeps Team Tenneco bold, driven, and unapologetically focused on pushing past limits and redefining success.

Here, you’ll work alongside a team of relentless problem-solvers who are committed to making a tangible impact. If you’re ready to break boundaries, deliver results, and enjoy the ride along the way, you’ll thrive here.

Want to learn more about who we are? Check out our website to discover the Tenneco Way.

About The Role

The Commodity Buyer, Direct Materials, is responsible for sourcing and managing assigned commodities that support Tenneco’s Powertrain business. The commodity portfolio may evolve based on business priorities, organizational needs, and supply‑market conditions.

This role supports the development and execution of commodity strategies, supplier negotiations, cost-reduction initiatives, sourcing activities, and supplier‑performance improvements. The Commodity Buyer works closely with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Finance, Program Management, and Supplier Development to achieve objectives related to competitive cost, quality, delivery, launches, and continuity of supply.

The successful candidate will have direct‑material purchasing experience, strong analytical and negotiation skills, and the ability to manage multiple sourcing and supplier initiatives with guidance from purchasing leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Commodity Strategy and Cost Performance
• Support the development and execution of sourcing strategies for assigned Powertrain and exhaust commodities.
• Identify and implement cost‑reduction opportunities through negotiation, competitive sourcing, resourcing, localization, VAVE, and supplier productivity.
• Maintain accurate savings forecasts, project timing, documentation, and reporting.
• Monitor commodity markets, supplier cost drivers, tariffs, freight, and other economic factors affecting assigned materials.
• Support annual planning, forecasting, and material‑cost improvement activities.
• Develop working knowledge of the materials, manufacturing processes, suppliers, and market dynamics within the assigned portfolio.

Sourcing and Negotiation

• Manage RFQ and RFI activities, including bid‑package preparation, supplier follow‑up, quotation analysis, and sourcing recommendations.
• Analyze quotations for cost competitiveness, commercial terms, capacity, quality, delivery, technical capability, and supply risk.
• Negotiate pricing, productivity, payment terms, lead times, tooling, commercial terms, and other purchasing requirements.
• Prepare sourcing recommendations and supporting documentation for review and approval.
• Ensure sourcing activities comply with purchasing policies, competitive‑bidding requirements, authorization limits, and recordkeeping standards.
• Support contract development and maintain current pricing and commercial agreements.

Supplier Management and Risk

• Manage day‑to‑day commercial relationships with assigned suppliers.
• Monitor supplier cost, quality, delivery, capacity, responsiveness, and contractual performance.
• Partner with Supplier Development, Quality, Operations, and Supply Chain to resolve supplier issues and implement corrective actions.
• Identify sourcing and supply risks, elevate concerns promptly, and support the development of mitigation and contingency plans.
• Conduct supplier reviews and track actions through completion.
• Support alternative‑source development, localization, and supply‑base optimization.
• Maintain accurate supplier, contract, pricing, sourcing, and commodity information.

Cross‑Functional and Program Support

• Partner with Engineering, Quality, Operations, Supply Chain, Finance, and Program Management on sourcing, cost, supplier, and launch activities.
• Support new programs, engineering changes, resourcing projects, supplier transitions, and product launches.
• Coordinate supplier participation in technical reviews and ensure commercial requirements are addressed.
• Provide timely market intelligence, cost analysis, supplier information, and purchasing recommendations.
• Communicate risks, decisions, open issues, and required actions clearly to stakeholders and purchasing leadership.
• Support customer and financial recovery activities with accurate supplier and market data when required.

Execution and Continuous Improvement

• Maintain clear project plans, milestones, ownership, and follow‑up for assigned initiatives.
• Use data and fact‑based analysis to make recommendations and resolve problems.
• Identify opportunities to simplify purchasing processes and improve sourcing efficiency, reporting accuracy, and supplier performance.
• Manage multiple priorities while meeting required timing and business commitments.
• Promote ethical supplier relationships and protect confidential business, supplier, cost, and contract information.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, Finance, Operations, or a related field.
• Three or more years of experience in purchasing, strategic sourcing, commodity management, supply chain, manufacturing, or a related field.
• Experience supporting or managing direct‑material sourcing activities, preferably in automotive or high‑volume manufacturing.
• Working knowledge of RFQ processes, quotation analysis, cost breakdowns, supplier negotiations, and sourcing recommendations.
• Ability to understand manufacturing processes, commodity cost drivers, market trends, and supplier capabilities.
• Strong analytical, financial, organizational, negotiation, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with suppliers and cross‑functional stakeholders.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and purchasing or ERP systems.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, maintain accurate records, and meet deadlines with limited day‑to‑day supervision.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally based on business needs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience purchasing Powertrain or Exhaust components, raw materials, or other technically complex direct materials.
• Experience with commodity strategies, VAVE, supplier localization, resourcing, or new‑product launches.
• Familiarity with total‑cost analysis, cost modeling, savings tracking, supplier scorecards, and supply‑risk management.
• Knowledge of automotive quality, sourcing, and launch requirements.
• Experience working with global or cross‑regional suppliers and teams.

KEY MEASURES OF SUCCESS

• Delivery of validated cost‑reduction and working‑capital initiatives
• Accurate and timely savings and forecast reporting
• Effective RFQ execution and sourcing recommendations
• Supplier cost, quality, delivery, and responsiveness
• Timely resolution and escalation of supplier issues
• Successful support of launches, resourcing, and supplier transitions
• Compliance with purchasing policies and sourcing requirements
• Development of commodity, market, and supplier expertise