Strategic Buyer

Danfoss; Ames (IA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Paid vacation

Personal insurance

Job summary

Danfoss in Ames, IA is seeking a Strategic Buyer to be the central point of contact for suppliers and a key player within our Global Procurement team. You will drive cost savings, negotiate quotes, and manage supplier relationships to keep operations running smoothly.

You will lead material change management and PPAP activities, own procurement master data, and ensure accuracy across systems. This role emphasizes strategic sourcing and inventory optimization.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree in Business, Logistics, Supply Chain, Engineering, or a related field with 1+ years in procurement or supply chain.
• Or 3+ years of equivalent procurement experience in lieu of a degree.
• Experience negotiating quotes and contracts; PPAP familiarity is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Directly contribute to cost savings, supplier performance, and margins.
• Lead material change management and PPAP activities for product quality.
• Own procurement master data and ensure data accuracy.
• Negotiate quotes and contracts to secure favorable terms.
• Hold suppliers accountable for on-time delivery and manage reimbursement claims.
• Identify and implement inventory solutions like VMI/CMI and 3PL.

Skills

Procurement

Supply chain

Supplier management

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Logistics, Supply Chain, Engineering, or related field

Tools

SAP ERP

Oracle ERP

JD Edwards

Siemens Teamcenter PLM

Job description

The Impact You'll Make

Shape Tomorrow's Supply Chain as Our New Strategic Buyer!

Are you a driven procurement professional ready to make a significant impact? Join our world-class Global Procurement team in Ames, IA, and become a vital link in our supply chain. In this role, you won't just be buying parts; you'll be building relationships, driving strategy, and ensuring our operations run seamlessly. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment and are passionate about optimizing supplier performance, we want to hear from you!

What You'll Be Doing

As a Strategic Buyer, you will be the central point of contact for our suppliers and a key player within our organization. You will have the opportunity to:

• Drive Key Business Goals: Directly contribute to our success by achieving cost savings, enhancing supplier performance, and improving profit margins.
• Champion Change: Lead material change management and PPAP activities to ensure smooth transitions and product quality.
• Master Our Data: Take ownership of procurement master data, ensuring accuracy and efficiency in our systems.
• Negotiate with Purpose: Skillfully review, negotiate, and evaluate quotes and contracts to secure the best terms for our company.
• Ensure Supplier Excellence: Hold suppliers accountable for on-time delivery and manage reimbursement claims to maintain strong partnerships.
• Innovate Inventory Solutions: Identify, negotiate, and implement cutting-edge inventory solutions like CMI, VMI, and 3PL to optimize stock levels.
• Manage Supply & Demand: Proactively oversee supplier capacity to prevent disruptions and ensure a stable supply of materials.

Required

What We're Looking For

• A Bachelor's degree in Business, Logistics, Supply Chain, Engineering, or a related field combined with 1+ years of experience in procurement, supply chain, or supplier management.
• OR
• 3+ years of equivalent professional experience in procurement, supply chain, or supplier management in lieu of a degree.

Preferred

• Hands-on experience with SAP or other major ERP systems (e.g., Oracle, JD Edwards).
• Familiarity with Siemens Teamcenter PLM.
• A proven track record of negotiating quotes and contracts.
• Experience with engineering change processes and PPAP qualification activities.

What You'll Get From Us

• We promote from within and support your learning with mentoring, training, and access to global opportunities.
• You'll have flexibility, autonomy, and support to do your best work while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Your well-being matters to us.
• We strive to create an inclusive work environment where people of all backgrounds are respected, and valued for who they are.
• You'll receive benefits like an annual bonus, paid vacation, personal insurance, and more. These vary by country and contract, but they're worth asking about—we think they're pretty great.

Our Commitment to Transparency

Salary ranges listed reflect only primary location and currency. For local salary ranges and specific benefits in your preferred hiring location, please ask your Talent Acquisition representative for more information. The actual salary offer will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Any benefits listed do not promise or guarantee any particular benefit or specific action. They may depend on country or contract specifics and are subject to change at any time without prior notice. Want to know more? Please visit our FAQ Page.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other protected category.