Senior Buyer- Valvetrain, Connecting Rods & Pistons

General Motors of Canada; Warren (MI); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a skilled Purchasing Specialist to join their dynamic team. This hybrid role involves engaging with global suppliers, leading sourcing strategies, and managing supplier relationships to maximize enterprise value. The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical skills, effective communication abilities, and a proactive approach to problem-solving. With a commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace, this company offers a collaborative environment where your contributions can drive meaningful change. If you are ready to take on challenges and make a significant impact in the automotive sector, this opportunity is for you.

Benefits

Paid time off

Healthcare plans

401K matching

Tuition assistance

Discount on GM vehicles

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience in purchasing or supply chain management.
• Strong analytical ability and negotiation skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead global sourcing and negotiations with suppliers.
• Manage sourcing documentation and supplier performance.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and savings opportunities.

Skills

Data Judgement

Informative Communication

Relationship Management

Negotiation

Analytical Thinking

Results Focus

Workload Management

SAP Experience

Project Management

Strong Sense of Urgency

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Business

Equivalent Work Experience

Tools

MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word)

Job description

Job Description

Hybrid : This role is categorized as hybrid. This means the successful candidate is expected to report to Warren – GM Global Technical Center three times per week, at minimum or other frequency dictated by the business

In this role, you will be responsible for purchasing all or specific portions of productive and/or non-productive materials, supplies, machinery, tooling, and services. You will actively participate in the development of commodity strategies, lead complex global sourcing and negotiations with key supplier partners, execute global/regional material budgets, and collaborate closely with suppliers and internal stakeholders.

The ideal candidate will be comfortable operating autonomously, solving problems independently, and prioritizing tasks that maximize enterprise value for General Motors and the Global Purchasing and Supply Chain (GPSC) function.

• Experience with commodities (metals, stampings, castings, plastics, resins, paint, electronics, etc.)

• Experience handling commercial issues with suppliers and assessing supplier performance

• Maintaining sourcing pipeline, benchmarking data, strategy presentations, global direct material budget, and on-time metrics

• Adhere to corporate and departmental purchasing and accounting practices and procedures

• Sourcing and contracting activities that include, but are not limited to:

  • Sourcing strategy, bid list development & management

  • Quote analysis and review

  • Coordination and alignment of RFQ package components, including Terms & Conditions, SOR compliance, technical documentation and quality alignment

  • Lead sourcing recommendation and alignment with cross-functional teams

  • Management of sourcing documentation related to RFQ process in adherence to the GM Audit Services requirements

• Lead supplier relationship management initiatives, including “Strategic Supplier Engagement” and nurture relationship with suppliers by acting as a focal point for commercial issue resolution

• Lead or represent the purchasing function in supplier KPI reviews

• Represent purchasing and support mitigation of supply chain disruptions

• Conduct in-depth contract analysis and perform rate management activities including contract amendments, issuing spot buys, rate analysis and supplier requests.

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and identify savings opportunities.

• Support or lead additional required projects as assigned by management.

• Promote GM's values and makes customer-focused decisions.

This job is not eligible for relocation benefits. Any relocation costs would be the responsibility of the selected candidate.

Additional Job Description

Required Qualifications:

• 5+ years relevant post-graduate work experience in purchasing, supply chain, program/product management, logistics or product development

• Data Judgement - Ability to objectively analyze data and draw meaningful conclusions

  Informative Communication - Ability to communicate relevant information to the appropriate audience both effectively and timely

• Relationship Management - Develops and maintains constructive, cooperative working relationships

• Negotiation - engage in collaborative discussions to reach meaningful agreements

• Analytical Thinking - Consider various factors in decision making to determine solutions and their impacts

• Results Focus - Take charge without prompting, seize opportunities and deliver on time

• Workload Management - Manage multiple tasks with quality and prioritize by critical needs

• SAP experience or ability to learn purchasing systems

• Strong sense of urgency and ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.

• Project management experience and contract development expertise.

• Expertise in MS Office tools: Excel, PowerPoint, Word

• Ability to travel 10% of the time domestically + Internationally

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Purchasing, Supply Chain Management, Finance, related field, or equivalent work experience

• Ability to work independently and self-directed; Acts as a resource for colleagues with less experience.

• Strong business acumen and negotiation skills.

• Outstanding presentation skills with strong, professional verbal and written communication abilities

• Ability to build positive relationships with demanding cross-functional stakeholders, both internally and externally

• High level of organizational skills to prioritize, managing multiple projects and meet deadlines

• Strong personal drive to learn, grow and develop

• Strong analytical ability to solve complex problems

• Experience managing commercial issues with suppliers and assessing supplier performance

• Automotive industry experience (Engine Commodities)

• Engineering drawings and technical documentation

GM DOES NOT PROVIDE IMMIGRATION-RELATED SPONSORSHIP FOR THIS ROLE. DO NOT APPLY FOR THIS ROLE IF YOU WILL NEED GM IMMIGRATION SPONSORSHIP (e.g., H-1B, TN, STEM OPT, etc.) NOW OR IN THE FUTURE.

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About GM

Our vision is a world with Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions and Zero Congestion and we embrace the responsibility to lead the change that will make our world better, safer and more equitable for all.

Why Join Us

We aspire to be the most inclusive company in the world. We believe we all must make a choice every day – individually and collectively – to drive meaningful change through our words, our deeds and our culture. Our Work Appropriately philosophy supports our foundation of inclusion and provides employees the flexibility to work where they can have the greatest impact on achieving our goals, dependent on role needs. Every day, we want every employee, no matter their background, ethnicity, preferences, or location, to feel they belong to one General Motors team.

Benefits Overview

The goal of the General Motors total rewards program is to support the health and well-being of you and your family. Our comprehensive compensation plan incudes, the following benefits, in addition to many others:
• Paid time off including vacation days, holidays, and parental leave for mothers, fathers and adoptive parents;
• Healthcare (including a triple tax advantaged health savings account and wellness incentive), dental, vision and life insurance plans to cover you and your family;
• Company and matching contributions to 401K savings plan to help you save for retirement;
• Global recognition program for peers and leaders to recognize and be recognized for results and behaviors that reflect our company values;
• Tuition assistance and student loan refinancing;
• Discount on GM vehicles for you, your family and friends.

Diversity Information

General Motors is committed to being a workplace that is not only free of discrimination, but one that genuinely fosters inclusion and belonging. We strongly believe that workforce diversity creates an environment in which our employees can thrive and develop better products for our customers. We understand and embrace the variety through which people gain experiences whether through professional, personal, educational, or volunteer opportunities.GM is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

We encourage interested candidates to review the key responsibilities and qualifications and apply for any positions that match your skills and capabilities.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statements

GM is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. GM is committed to providing a work environment free from unlawful discrimination and advancing equal employment opportunities for all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, all practices and decisions relating to terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, promotion, discipline, compensation, benefits, and termination of employment are made without regard to an indivi d ual's protected characteristics. For purposes of this policy, “protected characteristics" include an individual's actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), gender identity or gender expression, sexual orientation, weight, height, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, protected medical condition as defined by applicable state or local law, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws and ordinances. If you need a reasonable accommodation to assist with your job search or application for employment, email us at [e-mail] or call us at 800-865-7580. In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.