Buyer

Job Description: Buyer

Department: Supply Chain Management

Reports To: Senior Supply Chain Manager

Location: Carson, CA

Employment Type: Full-Time Exempt

Position Summary

The Buyer is responsible for executing procurement activities to support production and new business programs. This position manages supplier sourcing, RFQs, purchase orders, delivery performance, supplier communication, and commercial activities while working closely with Engineering, Production, Materials & Logistics, Quality, and Korea HQ.

The Buyer plays a key role in ensuring timely procurement of direct materials, supporting supplier performance, and maintaining cost competitiveness for serial production and new projects.

Key Responsibilities

Procurement Execution

• Manage RFQ activities, supplier quotations, and commercial evaluations.
• Issue Purchase Orders (POs) and maintain accurate purchasing records within the ERP system.
• Coordinate procurement activities for production materials, indirect materials, and project requirements.
• Support sourcing activities for new business opportunities and localization initiatives.
• Ensure purchasing activities comply with company policies and procedures.

Supplier Management

• Develop and maintain relationships with suppliers to support quality, cost, and delivery objectives.
• Monitor supplier delivery performance and follow up on overdue purchase orders.
• Coordinate with suppliers to resolve delivery, commercial, and documentation issues.
• Support supplier qualification and performance evaluation programs.
• Maintain the Approved Supplier List (ASL).

Delivery & Procurement Coordination

• Monitor supplier commitments and delivery schedules to support production requirements.
• Coordinate with the Materials & Logistics Manager regarding material shortages, shipment priorities, and recovery actions.
• Work with Engineering on drawing revisions, specification updates, and purchasing requirements.
• Support Production by ensuring timely procurement of required materials.

Commercial & Cost Management

• Negotiate pricing, commercial terms, and lead times with suppliers.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities through sourcing, supplier development, and commercial negotiations.
• Support annual cost reduction initiatives.
• Review supplier quotations and recommend sourcing decisions.
• Support procurement budgeting and cost forecasting activities.

ERP & Documentation

• Maintain accurate purchasing data within the ERP system.
• Ensure supplier information, pricing, lead times, and purchasing records are properly maintained.
• Support ERP implementation and continuous process improvements.
• Maintain procurement documentation, contracts, and supplier records.

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Coordinate daily with Engineering, Production, Materials & Logistics, Warehouse, Quality, Finance, and Korea HQ.
• Support Engineering Change implementation from a procurement perspective.
• Participate in project meetings and provide procurement status updates.
• Escalate supply risks and delivery issues to the Senior Supply Chain Manager when necessary.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of procurement experience in manufacturing.
• Experience in rail/rolling stock, automotive, heavy equipment, or industrial manufacturing is strongly preferred.
• Strong experience in supplier negotiations, procurement execution, and purchase order management.
• Experience with ERP systems (Odoo, SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, etc.) preferred.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple suppliers and priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Bilingual Korean and English preferred.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Purchase Order On-Time Release
• Supplier On-Time Delivery (OTD)
• Procurement Lead Time
• Supplier Responsiveness
• Cost Savings / Cost Avoidance
• Purchase Price Variance (PPV)
• Procurement Support for Production
• Supplier Performance Rating
• ERP Data Accuracy