Project Purchasing Professional

Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG; Auburn Hills (MI); On-site; USD 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

401k with company match

Employee appreciation events

Job summary

Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG is seeking a purchasing professional to lead complex projects and coordinate supplier integration within North America’s E‑mobility focus.

This role requires driving cost reductions, aligning with PDP processes, and collaborating across cross-functional teams to ensure timely launches. The successful candidate will bring 3+ years in automotive purchasing, strong negotiation and project management skills, and fluency in English.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or Engineering.
• Automotive purchasing experience (3+ years preferred).
• Fluency in English; valid passport required.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office; experience with AI tools is a plus.
• Strong negotiation, project management and problem solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Organize complex purchasing projects with extensive specifications or negotiations.
• Define sourcing activities and execute project-related purchasing tasks.
• Integrate external suppliers into the PDP to ensure on-time SOP.
• Lead cost validation and alignment for components.
• Collaborate with cross-functional interfaces across the supply chain.
• Drive E-mobility unit purchasing projects to achieve cost and timing goals.
• Project management for launching E-mobility projects with Purchasing.
• Participate in technical cost-saving initiatives for assigned projects.
• Source and develop new suppliers to support North America Business Unit Purchasing.
• Create, manage and support new project acquisitions from Purchasing input in NA.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Supplier negotiations

Project management

English fluency

AI tools

Microsoft Excel

Cross-functional collaboration

Independent work style

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, and/or Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

AI tools (Python, chatbots)

Job description

Locations: Auburn Hills, MI 48326; Wooster, OH 44691

Schaeffler is a dynamic global technology company and its success has been a result of its entrepreneurial spirit and long history of private ownership. As a partner to all major automobile manufacturers, as well as key players in the aerospace and industrial sectors, we offer development opportunities.

Your Key Responsibilities

• Organize complex purchasing projects involving extensive specification of requirements or negotiation processes for projects.
• Define sourcing activities and execute project related purchasing activities (incl. Make-or-Buy analysis) for the respective business unit/product line.
• Integrate external suppliers into the PDP (product development process) to ensure the external delivery at SOP (start of production) and represent the Purchasing department in PDP project.
• Take responsibility for component specific cost validation and alignment.
• Cooperate closely with interfaces along the supply chain and execute change management in projects.
• Collaborate with project teams to ensure alignment of purchasing activities with project goals.
• Lead relevant E‑mobility Business Unit Purchasing projects for requirements to achieve the correct cost structure, launches on time and technical cost reduction initiatives.
• Project Management for Launching E‑mobility projects (pursuing and awarded) with Purchasing, focus on E‑Drives, support for Mechatronics and Modules.
• Participate and/or lead Technical Cost‑Saving initiatives for the assigned/respective Projects.
• New Supplier search and development to support the Business Unit Purchasing Project.
• Create, Manage, and Support new project acquisitions from Purchasing input in North America which will be handled by North America Business Unit Purchasing E‑mobility team.

Your Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, and/or Engineering.
• Automotive Purchasing Experience (3+ years exp. preferred).
• Valid Passport - Required.
• Fluency in English - Required.
• Proficient/Expert in Microsoft Suite programs (Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook, Teams).
• Experienced with AI Tools i.e. chatbots, python, assistant models.
• Strong negotiation, Project Management, Problem Solving.
• Ability to work independently in a fast paced, high-volume environment.
• Ability to interface with cross-functional teams and all levels of personnel and management both domestic and abroad.
• Excellent communication ability (written & verbal).
• Extremely self‑motivated & driven to achieve results.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the USA.
• Medical, dental and vision insurance.
• Life insurance and 401k eligible with up to 6% company match.
• Regular employee appreciation and company events.

Schaeffler is an equal employment opportunity / affirmative action employer. All qualified candidates will receive equal employment opportunities and consideration for employment without regard to unlawful consideration of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.