Project Buyer

Spheros Group; Elkhart (IN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Spheros is seeking an experienced Project Buyer to manage purchasing throughout the project lifecycle, collaborating with Engineering, Operations, Quality, and global Purchasing to meet cost, timing, quality, and localization targets. The role emphasizes supplier development, negotiations, and cross-functional teamwork across a global organization.

As part of the project purchasing team, you will coordinate sourcing, manage supplier contracts, and track KPIs while supporting localization and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Purchasing, Engineering, or related field.
• 3 to 5 years of purchasing, sourcing, or supply chain experience.
• Automotive Tier 1/2 environment experience preferred; project purchasing in automotive or commercial vehicles preferred.
• Strong negotiation, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage project purchasing and sourcing activities from acquisition through launch and serial production.
• Develop competitive cost structures and supplier panels in collaboration with commodity teams.
• Represent Purchasing within project teams and communicate requirements to suppliers.
• Negotiate contracts and manage supplier relationships to meet cost, timing, and localization targets.
• Coordinate with Engineering, Operations, Quality, and global Purchasing to ensure milestones.
• Monitor KPIs and escalate risks affecting project milestones or customer expectations.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Purchasing, Engineering, or a related field

Job description

Spheros is a global technology company and market leader in the development and manufacture of innovative thermal management solutions for city buses, coaches, and refrigerated transport fleets. We are looking for an experienced Project Buyer to join our team.

As a Project Buyer, you will manage purchasing activities throughout the project lifecycle, from acquisition and sourcing through launch and serial production. You will work closely with Engineering, Operations, Quality, and the global Purchasing organization to achieve project cost, timing, quality, and localization objectives.

Project Buyer

Spheros is a global technology company and market leader in the development and manufacture of innovative thermal management solutions for city buses, coaches, and refrigerated transport fleets. We are looking for an experienced Project Buyer to join our team.

Your Challenges

As a Project Buyer, you will manage purchasing activities throughout the project lifecycle, from acquisition and sourcing through launch and serial production. You will work closely with Engineering, Operations, Quality, and the global Purchasing organization to achieve project cost, timing, quality, and localization objectives.

Project Purchasing & Sourcing

• Support project acquisition activities by developing competitive cost structures, identifying savings opportunities, and obtaining required Purchasing validation.
• Develop the project supplier panel in collaboration with the commodity purchasing organization and identify opportunities to bundle sourcing decisions.
• Represent Purchasing and commodity strategies within project teams while communicating project requirements back to the appropriate commodity teams.
• Establish competitive sourcing processes by evaluating multiple qualified suppliers and conducting commercial negotiations prior to final sourcing decisions.
• Leverage the global Purchasing organization and supply base to achieve project cost, sourcing, and savings targets.
• Coordinate sourcing decisions, supplier nominations, and purchasing activities to ensure alignment with project requirements.
• Ensure supplier contracts are completed and approved on time, from development agreements through serial production.
• Manage contractual requirements related to suppliers while protecting Spheros intellectual property and commercial interests.

Project & Supplier Management

• Manage Purchasing deliverables and supplier activities against established project milestones.
• Monitor and drive achievement of project purchasing targets and KPIs.
• Coordinate communication between project teams, suppliers, and the Purchasing organization.
• Partner with R&D to support prototype and pre-series sourcing and commercial negotiations.
• Coordinate with Non-Production Purchasing to achieve project investment and tooling targets.
• Ensure supplier capacity requirements are identified and addressed in collaboration with the commodity organization.
• Ensure appropriate use of Spheros project purchasing, supplier quality, and information systems.
• Escalate risks, challenges, and barriers that may impact project milestones or customer expectations.

Global Project Coordination

• Coordinate with global and regional Purchasing teams for platforms produced across multiple Spheros locations.
• Ensure sourcing strategies support regional requirements, localization objectives, plant needs, and overall platform competitiveness.
• Identify and validate potential pre-sourcing suppliers in collaboration with the commodity organization.
• Support project localization strategies and ensure alignment with customer and business requirements.

Key Performance Measures

• Project Purchasing Index performance
• Achievement of project milestones on time
• Supplier non-recurring cost performance against project targets
• Project inflation management
• Serial purchasing savings
• Project localization targets
• Supplier capacity and sourcing readiness

General Responsibilities

• Follow all company safety procedures and standards, including required personal protective equipment and safe work practices.
• Maintain positive and professional working relationships with team members, suppliers, and cross-functional partners.
• Support cross-training and knowledge sharing within the organization as needed.
• Comply with all company policies, procedures, and standards of conduct.
• Perform other duties and projects as assigned.

Let's Talk About You

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Purchasing, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
• 3 to 5 years of purchasing, sourcing, or supply chain experience.
• Experience in an automotive Tier 1 or Tier 2 environment is preferred.
• Project purchasing experience within the automotive or commercial vehicle industry is strongly preferred.
• Experience with supplier negotiations, sourcing decisions, cost analysis, and contract management.
• Ability to work effectively across Engineering, Quality, Operations, Finance, and global Purchasing teams.
• Strong negotiation, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, suppliers, and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Great Technologies Are Born From Passion

Ready to tackle the challenges of the vehicles of the future? Join Spheros and help revolutionize thermal management, comfort, and efficiency for commercial transportation.