Purchasing Intern- Summer 2026

Magna International; Iowa (LA); On-site; USD 20,664,000 - 30,307,200; Full time

Job summary

Magna is seeking a Purchasing Intern to support cost-reduction initiatives, supplier negotiations, benchmarking, and analysis of material costs in a manufacturing environment.

You will gain hands-on experience with RFQs, purchase orders, and supplier relationships while learning procurement processes and compliance requirements.

Strong attention to detail, communication skills, and basic analytical ability are required; pursuing a degree in Supply Chain Management or related field.

Qualifications

• Attention to detail and accuracy in data and documentation.
• Strong written and verbal communication with vendors and internal teams.
• Basic analytical skills and ability to compare pricing, terms, and supplier information.

Responsibilities

• Support cost-reduction initiatives through supplier negotiations, benchmarking and cost analysis.
• Enhance supplier relationship management to ensure timely delivery and competitive pricing.
• Develop knowledge of procurement processes from RFQs to purchase order management in a manufacturing setting.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Analytical mindset

Microsoft Excel

Education

High School Diploma

Pursuing degree in Supply Chain Management / Industrial Engineering / Business Administration

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

What we offer:

At Magna, you can expect an engaging and dynamic environment where you can help to develop industry‑leading automotive technologies. We invest in our employees, providing them with the support and resources they need to succeed. As a member of our global team, you can expect exciting, varied responsibilities as well as a wide range of development prospects. Because we believe that your career path should be as unique as you are.

Group Summary:

Magna is more than one of the world’s largest suppliers in the automotive space. We are a mobility technology company built to innovate, with a global, entrepreneurial‑minded team. With 65+ years of expertise, our ecosystem of interconnected products combined with our complete vehicle expertise uniquely positions us to advance mobility in an expanded transportation landscape.

Job Responsibilities:

Position Overview

The Purchasing Intern supports the Purchasing department by assisting with identifying cost‑saving opportunities through supplier negotiations, benchmarking, and analysis of material costs. (MRO and direct purchasing). This role is designed to provide hands‑on experience and will gain exposure to purchasing processes, vendor relationships, contract management, and organizational purchasing systems within a manufacturing environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support Cost-Reduction Initiatives: Assist the purchasing team in identifying cost‑saving opportunities through supplier negotiations, benchmarking, and analysis of material costs. (MRO and direct purchasing)
• Enhance Supplier Relationship Management: Learn and apply best practices for maintaining strong relationships with suppliers to ensure timely delivery, quality compliance, and competitive pricing.
• Develop Knowledge of Automotive Supply Chain: Gain hands‑on experience in procurement processes, from RFQs (Request for Quotation) to purchase order management, while understanding industry standards and compliance requirements.

Qualifications:

• Strong attention to detail with the ability ensure accuracy in data and documentation.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, for interacting with vendors and internal teams.
• Basic analytical skills and the ability to compare pricing, terms, and supplier information.

Education / Experience:

• High School Diploma
• Currently pursuing a degree in Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering, Business Administration, or related field.

Special Knowledge / Skills:

• Familiarity with Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP), ability to identify issues in supply chain and propose practical solutions, ability to assist in supplier negotiations and understand cost drivers.
• Professional Communication skills (written and verbal)

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

• Normal amount of sitting or standing, average mobility to move around an office and manufacturing environment, able to conduct normal amount of work at a computer.

Awareness, Unity, Empowerment:

At Magna, we believe that a diverse workforce is critical to our success. That’s why we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We hire on the basis of experience and qualifications, and in consideration of job requirements, regardless of, in particular, color, ancestry, religion, gender, origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability or gender identity. Magna takes the privacy of your personal information seriously. We discourage you from sending applications via email or traditional mail to comply with GDPR requirements and your local Data Privacy Law.