Astemo Ltd.
Join us to apply for the Direct Category Buyer (J0048829) at Astemo Ltd.
The Direct Category Buyer plays a key role in managing supplier relationships and overseeing procurement strategies within assigned commodities. This role requires deep product knowledge and strong sourcing acumen to ensure suppliers meet company standards for quality, cost, and delivery, while also promoting continuous improvement and innovation. The ideal candidate will be proactive, analytical, and capable of influencing strategic decisions across a global supply base.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or a related field
Minimum 3 years of experience in purchasing or a closely related field
Willingness and ability to travel to suppliers and Astemo facilities as needed (domestic and international)
Preferred Qualifications
Procurement experience in the automotive industry
Strong background in casting and rubber parts sourcing and strategy
Experience working with SAP
Bilingual fluency in English and Japanese is a plus
Key Responsibilities
Collect and analyze category, regional, and supplier-specific data
Recommend strategic direction to the Global Category Manager based on market intelligence
Propose and implement cost reduction, avoidance, and continuous improvement initiatives
Contribute to annual budget planning and forecasting activities
Lead negotiations with suppliers (pricing, payment terms, tooling, commercial terms, capacity, EOL, etc.)
Formalize and manage supplier contracts
Own sourcing decisions within assigned categories, aligning with global strategy and BU timelines
Support Business Units during acquisition phases with cost estimates and “should-cost” analysis via the Cost Engineering team
Ensure implementation of global/regional category strategies
Required Skills And Abilities
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Proven negotiation and contract management skills
Results-oriented with a demonstrated ability to implement strategic initiatives
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to influence, collaborate, and build relationships across teams
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word)
Effective time management, organization, and problem-solving abilities
Supervisory Responsibilities
This role does not include direct supervision of staff
Working Conditions
Primarily office-based (hybrid), with regular interaction in factory environments
Occasional exposure to noise typical of manufacturing settings
Domestic and international travel required, depending on supplier and business needs
Physical & Mental Requirements
Ability to sit for extended periods
Visual acuity to work accurately with data, documents, and computer monitors
What we need: If you’re ready to play a strategic role in shaping Astemo’s global supply chain while driving value and innovation— Own the Future
and apply today.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
The Direct Category Buyer plays a key role in managing supplier relationships and overseeing procurement strategies within assigned commodities. This role requires deep product knowledge and strong sourcing acumen to ensure suppliers meet company standards for quality, cost, and delivery, while also promoting continuous improvement and innovation. The ideal candidate will be proactive, analytical, and capable of influencing strategic decisions across a global supply base.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or a related field
Minimum 3 years of experience in purchasing or a closely related field
Willingness and ability to travel to suppliers and Astemo facilities as needed (domestic and international)
Preferred Qualifications
Procurement experience in the automotive industry
Strong background in casting and rubber parts sourcing and strategy
Experience working with SAP
Bilingual fluency in English and Japanese is a plus
Key Responsibilities
Collect and analyze category, regional, and supplier-specific data
Recommend strategic direction to the Global Category Manager based on market intelligence
Propose and implement cost reduction, avoidance, and continuous improvement initiatives
Contribute to annual budget planning and forecasting activities
Lead negotiations with suppliers (pricing, payment terms, tooling, commercial terms, capacity, EOL, etc.)
Formalize and manage supplier contracts
Own sourcing decisions within assigned categories, aligning with global strategy and BU timelines
Support Business Units during acquisition phases with cost estimates and “should-cost” analysis via the Cost Engineering team
Ensure implementation of global/regional category strategies
Required Skills And Abilities
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Proven negotiation and contract management skills
Results-oriented with a demonstrated ability to implement strategic initiatives
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to influence, collaborate, and build relationships across teams
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word)
Effective time management, organization, and problem-solving abilities
Supervisory Responsibilities
This role does not include direct supervision of staff
Working Conditions
Primarily office-based (hybrid), with regular interaction in factory environments
Occasional exposure to noise typical of manufacturing settings
Domestic and international travel required, depending on supplier and business needs
Physical & Mental Requirements
Ability to sit for extended periods
Visual acuity to work accurately with data, documents, and computer monitors
What we need: If you’re ready to play a strategic role in shaping Astemo’s global supply chain while driving value and innovation— Own the Future
and apply today.
#J-18808-Ljbffr