Nexteer Automotive

Strategic Commodity Buyer- Saginaw

Nexteer Automotive$80K — $95K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5+ years in procurement or supply chain management
  • Experience sourcing Printed Circuit Board Assemblies (PCBA), preferably within automotive (Tier 1 or Tier 2)
  • Understanding of PCBA manufacturing processes and electronic components like MCUs and capacitors
  • Familiarity with automotive electronic quality standards (e.g., AEC-Q, PPAP, APQP)
  • Strong negotiation and contract management skills, with an ability to analyze cost structures
  • Excellent communication and problem-solving skills
  • Experience with value analysis/value engineering (VA/VE) initiatives for electronic components is preferred
  • Knowledge of global supply chain constraints affecting PCBA sourcing is preferred

Responsibilities

  • Develop and execute sourcing strategies for PCBAs and electronic components for EPS systems
  • Identify, evaluate, and onboard new suppliers to enhance cost-effectiveness and supply security
  • Negotiate pricing, terms, and contracts to achieve cost savings while ensuring supplier accountability
  • Manage relationships with key PCBA suppliers, ensuring on-time delivery, quality compliance, and cost performance
  • Monitor supplier performance using KPIs and implement corrective actions when needed
  • Conduct cost analysis for PCBA assemblies, benchmarking against industry standards
  • Collaborate with engineering and R&D to align sourcing strategies with new product development
  • Support quality teams in resolving supplier-related quality issues
  • Assist in supply chain planning to align supplier capacity with demand forecasts
  • Ensure purchased PCBAs comply with automotive industry standards and maintain accurate procurement records

Benefits

  • Hybrid work environment
  • Some global travel required for supplier visits and audits
Full Job Description
Position: Strategic Commodity Buyer

About the role

The Strategic Commodity Buyer - Electronics will be responsible for sourcing, purchasing, and managing Printed Circuit Board Assemblies (PCBA) for Electronic Power Steering (EPS) systems. This role involves supplier negotiations, cost management, and ensuring the supply chain meets quality, delivery, and cost objectives. The buyer collaborates with cross-functional teams, including engineering, quality, and supply chain, to optimize sourcing strategies and mitigate risks.

Key Responsibilities

As a Strategic Commodity Buyer, you will be responsible for:
  • Sourcing & Procurement:
    • Develop and execute sourcing strategies for PCBA and electronic components used in EPS systems.
    • Identify, evaluate, and onboard new suppliers to enhance cost-effectiveness and supply security.
    • Negotiate pricing, terms, and contracts to achieve cost savings while ensuring supplier accountability.
  • Supplier Management:
    • Manage relationships with key PCBA suppliers, ensuring on-time delivery, quality compliance, and cost performance.
    • Monitor supplier performance using KPIs (e.g., quality, OTD, cost competitiveness) and implement corrective actions when needed.
    • Work with suppliers to drive cost reduction initiatives (VA/VE, localization, DFM/DFA improvements).
  • Cost & Risk Management:
    • Conduct cost analysis for PCBA assemblies and electronic components, benchmarking against industry standards.
    • Implement risk mitigation strategies for supply chain disruptions, component shortages, and geopolitical risks.
    • Support Make vs. Buy decisions and dual sourcing strategies to ensure continuity of supply.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration:
    • Work closely with engineering and R&D to align sourcing strategies with new product development.
    • Support quality teams in resolving supplier-related quality issues (e.g., PPAP, 8D problem-solving).
    • Assist in supply chain planning by aligning supplier capacity with demand forecasts.
  • Compliance & Documentation:
    • Ensure purchased PCBAs comply with automotive industry standards (IATF 16949, ISO 26262, RoHS, REACH, and APQP).
    • Maintain accurate procurement records, contracts, and supplier agreements in ERP systems.
  • Hybrid work environment, with some global travel required for supplier visits and audits.


Qualifications
  • 5+ years in procurement or supply chain management
  • Experience in sourcing of PCBA. Experience with automotive supplier management (Tier 1 or Tier 2) strongly preferred
  • Understanding of PCBA manufacturing, electronic components (MCUs, capacitors, resistors, etc.), and SMT processes strongly preferred
  • Familiarity with automotive electronic quality standards (e.g., AEC-Q, PPAP, APQP) required
  • Strong negotiation and contract management skills and ability to analyze cost structures and conduct supplier benchmarking required
  • Excellent communication and problem-solving abilities
  • Experience in VA/VE initiatives for electronic components preferred
  • Knowledge of global supply chain constraints affecting PCBA sourcing preferred


Education Requirements
  • Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Business, or a related field.

About Nexteer Automotive

Nexteer Automotive is a global automotive supplier that specializes in developing and manufacturing steering and driveline systems. The company was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in Saginaw, Michigan. Nexteer Automotive has a presence in over 50 countries and has partnerships with many of the world's leading automakers. The company's products include electric power steering systems, hydraulic power steering systems, and driveline systems. Nexteer Automotive is committed to sustainability and has implemented a number of initiatives to reduce its environmental impact, including the use of renewable energy sources and the reduction of waste and emissions.
Learn more about Nexteer Automotive
Size
11,900 employees
Industry
Founded
1906
NASDAQ

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