Project Purchasing Site Lead

Job Title: Project Purchasing Site Lead (AACT/AAC)

Company: AISIN World Corp. of America

Department: Purchasing, Project Purchasing

Location: Clinton, TN (AACT)

Position Responsibilities

The incumbent is expected to perform the following functions that the company has determined are essential to this position:

Purchasing functions for the following areas:

• Management of purchasing members in a location, including members that are assigned as part of AISIN’s virtual organization. In many cases, these members are not direct reports, so management will include location sign-offs as appropriate, coordination with direct management of those staff, discussing and reporting any staff issues, attendance issues, etc. with direct management.
• Lead purchasing communication to NAP.
  • Report of results from Commodity groups.
    • Monthly PPV results
    • Activity to achieve targets
  • Report activity and results for Project Purchasing groups.
    • Project Purchasing timeline, issues and support needs.
    • Status of projects and communication with NAP PC or related functions. 
  • Coordination of activity for SPTT group with plant groups. Gain support and consensus of work with each function as appropriate. 
  • Deal with Daily Issues and lead members for Administrative work or PDI members (if applicable) specific to the NAP. 
  • Ensure needs of NAP are communicated and coordinated to appropriate Purchasing groups. 
  • Set up meetings with appropriate NAP and Purchasing members to resolve issues. 
• In conjunction with staff located in multiple locations and companies, manage procurement of component products for AISIN North America locations. These activities include: 
  • Support for Commodity Purchasing teams to:
    • Negotiate pricing, delivery schedules, payment terms, confidentiality agreements, master purchase agreements, changes in process, terms, engineering requirements, and other items as required with suppliers. 
    • Detailed quotation analysis and negotiation for all cost drivers.
    • Support the launch of new programs, including tracking prototype / trial materials. 
  • Evaluate new supplier performance and information. 
  • Approve requisitions and monitor invoicing for variances and suppliers for performance. 
  • Prepare materials as appropriate to gain approval of price changes, asset purchases and sourcing plan at each location. 
• Responsible for preparing annual budget plans (including purchases, manpower, expenses, etc.), working with management and Commodity Purchasing to finalize total budget plan for the Commodity group. 
• Train, educate, and enforce standard processes in conjunction with AWA systems and processes and NAP needs for all procurement subordinate team members (including strategy, negotiation tactics, processes, policies, etc.). 
• Lead IATF and other audits, gathering appropriate documents or members to support Audit requirements. 
• Lead activity to standardize IATF and other company procedures across locations. 
  • Develop forms, processes, and systems as needed, 
  • Execute communized purchasing activities with suppliers and potential suppliers and plant, 
  • Track and follow supplier performance and any cost recovery issues.
• Lead activity to make changes, gather acceptance of changes in purchasing procedures, reports, etc. as needed based on changes in purchasing, company direction, and market requirements. 
• Manage admin staff to ensure PO's are written and updated as needed.
  • Gather approvals in plant as required. 
  • Discuss any issues with Commodity Purchasing teams. 
  • Support plant and other purchasing groups with tracking and ordering of prototype, trial and other purchases. 
  • Approve PO's
  • Ensure suppliers are set up correctly and accurately and all procedures are followed. 
• Lead the procurement team (and support of other teams as appropriate) for cost reduction activities related to NAP needs. 
• Manage team members to coordinate and analyze total volume usage, forecasts, and total material buy. 
• Manage related processes as appropriate for quotations, Letters of Intent, Feasibility Studies, Engineering Changes, capacity investigations, etc. 
• Lead and support analysis of various inputs and conditions from cross-functional departments to find cost savings opportunities. 
• In conjunction with Project Purchasing members and SPTT:
  • Assess prospective suppliers for new model programs and localization activities
  • Support development of component purchase strategies
  • Support supplier identification for new business and review their capabilities per engineering requirements
• Prepare reports and presentations as necessary. 
• Act as Supplier champion to AISIN and voice of AISIN to supplier.
• Resolve and manage daily supplier issues and plant investigation needs. 

Management

• Supervise activities and delegate activity, as appropriate, to direct members and related group members, to achieve desired results. 
• Evaluate and develop team members.
• Develop effective plans and strategies for yourself and staff to manage daily activities effectively with established budget constraints. 
• This function may be conducted under the direction from and through close communication with not only N.A. Management but also several other group companies globally. 
• Maintain ongoing communication and performance feedback with staff throughout the year. 
• Supervise, educate, and support staff members in achievement of short and long-term goals, including staff development. 
• Evaluate current business systems or procedures, as necessary, and suggest improvements for the benefit of AISIN. 
• Support business activities to improve team and system performance, as appropriate. 
• Manage relationships between plant and purchasing for effective communication and gain cooperation between groups as needed. 
• Support development of intelligence activities regarding the competitor and supplier information including, but not limited to, new products, product and process improvement, VA / VE, profit improvement, cost reduction, etc. 
• Report major, weekly, and monthly activities to Management.  
• Operate with "cross-functional" approach and, accordingly, accept / assume new responsibilities as dictated by business environment. 
• Function as a keyperson to manage staff, compile / summarize / analyze and communicate necessary data and develop summary and status documents / materials. 
• Support development of cost estimations for engineering analysis, business opportunities and other needs as directed. 
• Attend and support regular purchasing meetings with various plants in order to closely communicate, identify, and meet expectations of purchasing team, management, and manufacturing plants. 
• Support / maintain / improve group morale and motivation. 
• Establish and control documented activity plans. 
• Develop and execute short-term and long-term plans with other purchasing groups, engineering, and other teams. 
• Gain agreement and ensure match of purchasing budget to NAP budget and confirm results vs plan monthly (PPV Analysis).  
• Report results monthly. 
• Report activity and results to NAP management from other purchasing groups activities. 
• Other tasks and duties as assigned. 

Required Skills and Abilities

Essential Skills and Experience:

• Demonstrated experience and accomplishments in each of the areas described above.
• Experience in manufacturing and technical environment.
• Experience in component purchasing with understanding of manufacturing processes and costs associated with those processes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organization and time management skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative environment.
• Ability to demonstrate patience and verify facts.
• Demonstrated ability to persevere and complete difficult tasks.
• Strong Computer Skills – Especially in Excel.
• Understanding of contract standards.

Beneficial Skills and Experience

• Experience in automotive industry with understanding of standard job functions and requirements within the industry.
• Experience in multi-cultural environment, preferably Japanese-based.
• Fluency in English with additional language skill in Japanese, Chinese, German, and/or Spanish.

Education/Training/Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, other Applied Science, or Purchasing supply chain management is preferred. Bachelor’s degree in Business or other non-technical area is acceptable based on proven technical skill.
• Internal candidates with significant AISIN experience will be consider without degree.

Travel Requirements

• Approximately 10 %.
• Must be willing and available to travel to such locations and with such frequency as is necessary and desirable to meet business needs.

Work Environment Requirements

With reasonable accommodation:

• Must be able to operate a personal computer, telephone, and other office equipment.
• Must perform job duties onsite, when necessary, except those duties that are customarily or by their nature performed offsite (for example, offsite customer visits).
• Must be able to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Must be able to work on multiple assignments at once, and complete assignments within deadline and budget (if applicable) with satisfactory quality.
• Must be able to operate as an effective team member.
• Must be committed to a high standard of safety and be willing and able to comply with all safety laws and all company safety policies.

Attendance/Work Hour Requirements

• Must maintain an acceptable attendance record.
• Must be willing and available to work weekends and holidays as necessary and desirable to meet business needs.