Country Indirect Purchasing Buyer

Key responsibilities:

• Purchase indirect materials, goods, services and equipment at country level to ensure that the company operational needs are met, taking into account cost, quality and delivery targets and to ensure continuity of supply
• Perform market research based on the technical information received from the initiator of the request
• Identify and evaluate potential suppliers according to the YAZAKI’s procedures; negotiate offers, prepare comparative cost analysis & reports; contribute to performance reviews to ensure contract compliance
• Work closely with Category Buyers in order to identify cost savings opportunities
• Prepare and submit SAS package for approval (supplier quotes, comparison sheet,  recommendation sheet, presentation) for SM Approval
• Act as an interface between Category buyers, local supplier base  and other relevant departments on purchasing processes and new projects and activities
• Monitor and advise on any issues which present risk or opportunity to the organization
• Monitor market trends, competitor strategies and market suppliers
• Provide analysis on costs, new and existing and review cost reduction activities
• Prepare reports and updates as and when required
• Work closely with local and regional buyers, review opportunities for continuous improvement and business improvements
• Negotiate contracts, improve prices and terms of business with suppliers and review opportunities to make business savings utilizing negotiation and procurement best practice tools and methods
• Create, send and track the purchase orders to the suppliers
• Monitor all open purchase orders and follow-up deliveries
• Build, maintain and manage supplier relationships and keep up good communications
• Ensure that a professional and consistent approach is taken in relation to all supplier relationships
• Ensure compliance to company guidelines, purchasing policies, procedures and guidance during supplier negotiations and contracts award process.
• Understand and follow European Purchasing roles & responsibilities and support Category buyers supplier strategies (preferred supplier base, reduction of suppliers, payment terms etc.)

Skills and qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration,  Engineering, Accounting, Law or a related field required.
• Previous experience in a strategic purchasing role: min. 3 years
• Fluent in English

• Good knowledge of purchasing, negotiation, commercial understanding and cost breakdown
• Able to identify and add value, reduce costs and input to business improvements

• Comprehensive understanding of MS Excel, MS Word, PowerPoint and industry standard purchase order software platforms (SAP, SRM)
• Ability to work well with a country & regional purchasing team
• Able to thrive in a high-stress and fast-paced environment
• Proactively contributes to the team
• Actively committed to teams development