Segment Buyer, Direct Materials

Autoliv; Auburn Hills (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Attractive compensation package

Recognition awards

Gender pay equality

University discount options

Job summary

Autoliv is seeking a Segment Buyer to source specialty chemicals, propellants, polymers, coatings, and other raw materials for automotive safety restraints. You will manage a global supplier base, negotiate contracts, and drive cost and quality improvements while supporting new product launches.

You will collaborate with Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing and Supply Chain teams worldwide to ensure performance, compliance, and sustainability across Tier 1–3 suppliers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in SCM, Business, Engineering or related field.
• 6 years of experience in Purchasing, Strategic Sourcing or Supply Chain.
• Strong knowledge of chemicals, propellants, resins, polymers, coatings, or other industrial raw materials.
• Proven negotiation, supplier management, and cost analysis skills.
• Experience with cross-functional teams including Engineering, Quality and Manufacturing.
• Strong project management, organization, communication, and multitasking abilities.
• Advanced English proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Manage a global supplier base for chemicals, propellants, coatings, polymers, and related raw materials.
• Lead supplier lifecycle management, including sourcing, negotiations, performance reviews, and risk assessments.
• Support sustainability and regulatory-driven material transitions through structured sourcing and change management processes.
• Develop and implement cost reduction, supplier consolidation, and value engineering initiatives.
• Drive supplier quality, delivery, and cost performance while ensuring supply continuity.
• Support new product launches and strategic sourcing activities aligned with business objectives.
• Collaborate with global cross-functional teams to support operational and commercial goals.

Skills

Negotiation

Supplier management

Cost analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

English proficiency

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in SCM/Engineering

Job description

Join Autoliv's Global Textiles team as a Segment Buyer focused on sourcing and managing specialty chemicals, propellants, polymers, coatings, and other raw materials used in automotive safety restraint systems. This role is responsible for developing and managing a global supply base, ensuring supplier performance in cost, quality, delivery, compliance, and sustainability while supporting serial production and new product launches.

The Segment Buyer will lead sourcing initiatives, supplier negotiations, cost reduction activities, risk mitigation, and supplier development programs across Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 suppliers. The position also plays a key role in driving material transitions toward more sustainable and compliant alternatives, aligning with regulatory requirements, customer expectations, and business strategy.

Working closely with Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, EHS, and Supply Chain teams worldwide, you will support strategic sourcing decisions, supplier risk assessments, resourcing projects, and continuous improvement initiatives to ensure a robust and competitive global supply chain.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a global supplier base for chemicals, propellants, coatings, polymers, and related raw materials.
• Lead supplier lifecycle management, including sourcing, negotiations, performance reviews, and risk assessments.
• Support sustainability and regulatory-driven material transitions through structured sourcing and change management processes.
• Develop and implement cost reduction, supplier consolidation, and value engineering initiatives.
• Drive supplier quality, delivery, and cost performance while ensuring supply continuity.
• Support new product launches and strategic sourcing activities aligned with business objectives.
• Collaborate with global cross-functional teams to support operational and commercial goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or a related field.
• 6 years of experience in Purchasing, Strategic Sourcing or Supply Chain.
• Strong knowledge of chemicals, propellants, resins, polymers, coatings, or other industrial raw materials.
• Proven negotiation, supplier management, and cost analysis skills.
• Experience working cross-functionally with global Engineering, Quality, and Manufacturing teams.
• Strong project management, organization, communication, and multitasking abilities.
• Advanced English proficiency.

Preferred

• Experience in the automotive industry.
• Knowledge of supplier risk management, sustainability initiatives, and global sourcing strategies.
• Familiarity with cost modeling, long-term agreements (LTAs), and supplier development programs.

We will be more than glad to chat with you about your experience and your career goals.

In our international work setting, you will find a range of opportunities that are designed to enhance your career and personal development. Including new and different perspectives is part of what ensures the team's success. We are committed to develop people's skills, knowledge and creative potential. Our training and development programs emphasize technical competency, leadership development and business management skill.

More lives saved – more life lived!

What's In It For You

• Attractive compensation package
• Recognition awards, company events, university discount options and many more perks.
• Gender Pay Equality

Autoliv is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Autoliv does not discriminate in any aspect of employment based on race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, gender identify and/or expression, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local employment discrimination laws where Autoliv does business.