Sr. Buyer

Yazaki North America; Canton Charter Township (MI); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Competitive compensation

401K match

Tuition assistance

Generous holiday schedule

Job summary

Yazaki North America is seeking a Sr. Buyer in Canton, MI to join the Purchasing team. The ideal candidate will drive cost reduction, supplier selection, and strategic sourcing in a collaborative, action-driven environment.

This hybrid role requires 5–7 years of automotive purchasing experience and familiarity with various supplier categories. Travel is limited to local and regional, with opportunities to engage in global cost-improvement initiatives and cross-regional projects.

Qualifications

• 5-7 years automotive purchasing or similar work experience.
• 5 years of experience with blueprints and schematics (preferred).
• Strong automotive experience with purchasing categories such as Raw Materials, Routing, Connections, Electronics and Bulk Material (wire/tape/sleeving).

Responsibilities

• Define cost reduction objectives and develop strategic supplier initiatives to achieve measurable savings.
• Manage supplier selection and sourcing aligned with program commitments.
• Lead negotiations of Yazaki Purchase Terms and Conditions with suppliers.
• Monitor supplier performance using Quality, Cost, Delivery, Environmental (QCDE) metrics.

Skills

Automotive purchasing

Blueprints knowledge

Cost estimation

Supplier management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Job description

Yazaki is a global leader in the research, development, and delivery of vehicle power and data solutions. Yazaki works with virtually every major auto manufacturer globally, and we've strived to maintain strategic and stable growth throughout our 84-year history. Today, we're looking for energetic people with the potential to perform and the ability to strengthen - and thrive in - the positive work environment we pride ourselves on.

Location: Canton, MI, USA

What We Are Looking For

Yazaki is looking for a Sr. Buyer to join our Purchasing team in Canton, MI. The ideal candidate will enjoy working in a collaborative and action-driven environment making lasting impacts on the organization. This position is hybrid.

What You Will Be Doing

• Define cost reduction objectives and develop strategic initiatives with suppliers to achieve measurable savings.
• Manage supplier selection and sourcing activities as part of the strategic supply base while ensuring alignment with program commitments and requirements.
• Conduct market assessments and cost control negotiations to maintain supplier competitiveness.
• Serve as the primary point of contact and liaison for assigned suppliers.
• Lead negotiations of the “Yazaki Purchase Terms and Conditions” with suppliers to ensure favorable agreements.
• Support Advanced Purchasing in cost reduction initiatives and the sourcing of new suppliers for program support.
• Identify and manage alternate supplier sources to ensure continuity, consistent quality, and competitive pricing.
• Monitor supplier performance using QCDE metrics (Quality, Cost, Delivery, Environmental) to achieve targets and objectives.
• Champion Supplier Change Requests (SCR), ensuring timely closure in accordance with defined processes.
• Process e-RFQs through the Global Purchasing Database (GPDB) system and maintain accurate price contracts.
• Ensure compliance with all supplier documentation, including NDAs, contracts, SCNs, PCNs, SCRs, and price evaluation reports.
• Conduct executive-level supplier reviews to improve overall supplier performance.
• Maintain data integrity and support compliance with the Purchasing cost reduction roadmap.
• Issue tooling purchase orders and collect supporting documentation (e.g., supplier photos) for Business Unit payments.
• Support and achieve global cost improvement initiatives by identifying savings opportunities and collaborating with Regional Commodity Teams on cross-regional projects.
• Optimize supply chain performance through price harmonization, supplier localization, and logistics route improvements.

What You Will Bring To The Table

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field
• 5-7 years automotive purchasing or similar work experience
• 5 years of previous experience with blueprints and schematics, preferred
• Strong automotive experience with purchasing of categories such as: Raw Materials, Routing, Connections, Electronics and Bulk Material (wire/tape/sleeving) , preferred
• Ability to build tool cost estimates from the ground up, encouraged

Travel: <25% local, regional, national, and international

What We Can Provide You

• A safe collaborative learning work environment that stimulates creativity and exploration
• Diverse teams of experts
• Resources from around the globe
• Supportive leadership and team members to help you do your best work
• Opportunities for professional growth
• Competitive compensation and benefits package including incentive compensation, 401K match, tuition assistance and a generous holiday schedule
• A hybrid work schedule

Yazaki North America is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, handicap, veteran status, or other legally protected status or characteristic. Equal opportunity extends to all aspects of the employment relationship. Yazaki North America complies with federal and state equal employment opportunity laws and strives to keep the workplace free from all forms of harassment.