As a Series Productivity Buyer, you are the owner of supplier performance and purchasing productivity in serial life-driving cost, quality, and delivery improvements across the plant. This role combines supplier leadership and commercial ownership with a hands-on plant presence. You will not only negotiate with suppliers and execute purchasing strategies, but also work directly in the plant to identify gaps, build action plans, and drive cross-functional execution. We are looking for someone who can connect plant realities with supplier actions-and push both internal teams and external partners to deliver results. What You'll Do Own Supplier Performance & Commercial Results • Lead supplier cost reduction initiatives including TVO, VA/VE, resourcing, and negotiations • Drive QCD performance (Quality, Cost, Delivery) across the supplier base • Execute and support competitive resourcing, Make-or-Buy decisions, and supplier recoveries • Negotiate pricing improvements, manage cost breakdowns, and support commodity strategies Drive Purchasing Productivity in Serial Life • Own delivery of the plant purchasing budget and savings targets • Build and manage a robust pipeline of productivity actions • Monitor and report savings, forecasts, and supplier-driven improvements • Challenge both suppliers and internal stakeholders to meet financial expectations Be the Link Between Plant & Suppliers • Translate plant issues into clear supplier actions and commercial strategies • Work closely with PCL, Operations, Quality, and Engineering to align plant needs with supplier performance • Ensure supplier accountability in resolving delivery, quality, and cost issues Plant-Facing Execution & Continuous Improvement • Spend time in the plant identifying inefficiencies and opportunities • Build structured action plans and drive execution across functions • Influence stakeholders and overcome resistance to implement change • Lead or support supplier performance reviews and plant productivity reviews Program & Change Management • Lead purchasing activities related to ECRs, supplier transfers, and localization • Support smooth transition from program launch into serial production • Actively participate in program reviews and supplier selection input Your profile and competencies to succeed What We're Looking For Core Background • Experience in Plant Control Logistics (PCL), Material Planning, Master Scheduling, OR Purchasing within a plant environment • 2+ years in automotive manufacturing (Tier 1 preferred) • Proven track record of working with suppliers to drive measurable improvements Purchasing & Supplier Expertise • Strong negotiation skills and understanding of cost structures and price drivers • Experience with supplier management, resourcing, and performance recovery • Ability to hold suppliers accountable while maintaining strong partnerships Execution & Influence • Ability to walk into a plant, identify gaps, and build actionable plans • Strong cross-functional leadership-able to drive alignment across Operations, Supply Chain, and Finance • Comfortable pushing through resistance to deliver results Technical Skills • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, or Business • Strong Excel skills; Power BI a plus • SAP or ERP experience preferred • Exposure to cost analysis, dashboards, and productivity tracking tools What Success Looks Like • Suppliers are performing-and when they're not, you own the recovery plan • Cost savings don't sit on paper-you negotiate and realize them • Plant issues are quickly translated into supplier-facing actions • You influence both suppliers and internal teams to deliver against commitments This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship of any kind, now or in the future