Strategic Commodity Buyer — Auto Components & Cost Savings

Tokai Rika Group; Plymouth (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

TRAM, Inc., a subsidiary of Tokai-Rika Group located in Plymouth, MI, seeks a Commodity Buyer with strong analytical, negotiation, and communication skills to lead sourcing and supplier management across key auto components.

Responsibilities include developing commodity strategies, establishing standards, and driving cost reductions while coordinating with internal teams and suppliers. Travel 25–35% is expected. Equal opportunity employer.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, supply chain or business.
• 3+ years purchasing experience in auto components.
• Proven negotiation skills to achieve cost reductions.
• Ability to read technical drawings and engineering documents.
• Strong communication and leadership skills.
• Willingness to travel 25–35%.
• Experience with ERP systems, preferably BPCS.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Access, Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Responsibilities

• Lead, negotiate, and coordinate all sourcing functions.
• Analyze supply base capability and quotations to determine most appropriate source.
• Manage key supplier relationships and supplier partnerships.
• Develop and execute commodity strategies to support department and company goals.
• Establish commodity standards: parts list, cost standards, business process work, etc.
• Negotiate costs, terms, quality, technology and delivery of materials/services.
• Work with supply base and internal departments to achieve cost targets.
• Work with suppliers on Kaizen, APR, VA/VE and cost reduction strategies.
• Perform supplier assessments for localization efforts.
• Monitor commodity concerns and ensure supply stability; maintain contracts and purchase orders and comply with internal controls.

Skills

Negotiation

Analytical

Communication

Leadership

Planning

Cost reduction

Engineering drawings

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering / Supply Chain / Business

Tools

BPCS ERP

MS Office

Job description

TRAM, Inc., a subsidiary of Tokai-Rika Group located in Plymouth, MI, seeks a Commodity Buyer with strong analytical, negotiation, and communication skills to lead sourcing and supplier management across key auto components.

Responsibilities include developing commodity strategies, establishing standards, and driving cost reductions while coordinating with internal teams and suppliers. Travel 25–35% is expected. Equal opportunity employer.