Commodity Buyer Steel Service Center Buyer

Worldwide, the Volkswagen Group has a long tradition of dramatic innovations. The Volkswagen Group with its headquarters in Wolfsburg, Germany is one of the world’s leading automobile manufacturers and the largest carmaker in Europe. The Group comprises twelve brands from seven European countries:
Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Audi, SEAT, ŠKODA, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Porsche, Ducati, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Scania and MAN.

This position is a career level 18P and is located in Chattanooga, TN.

• Drive VW Group Global strategy and initiatives for NAR Region
• Support team to establish achieve an annual business plan to optimize the material cost of assigned parts.
• Responsible for sourcing and managing Steel Service Centers for Volkswagen Group of America.
• Support the team’s development and implementation of localization and hidden cost strategies as well as your own.

• Lead Business “on-top” cost reduction activities within their Commodity
• Teach new Buyers “Best Practices” Negotiation Skills
• Achieve annual business plan savings commitments as defined by Commodity Manager.
• Negotiate annual material cost savings with assigned suppliers and material groups and report on a monthly basis.
• Analyze localization and deep localization rate of assigned parts. Develop and implement strategies to increase localization and deep localization rate.
• Benchmark competitor products and specifications for cost optimization. Participate in cost reduction workshops to identify alternative materials, manufacturing processes, etc.

• Lead the overall strategy in the region to develop Forward Sourcing Strategy for their assigned Material Groups
• Leverage current business with future business through Global Sourcing
• Implement regional and global material group strategies. Coordinate as necessary with counterparts within the VW Group.
• Create sourcing presentations with recommendations which contain supporting (e.g. Benchmark data)

• Travel to suppliers as long as needed to monitor an part shortage situation
• Teach new Buyers how to handle part shortage situations
• Responsible for crisis management of unforeseen supply chain disruptions.

Required:

• Bachelor degree or equivalent in business or other relevant field of study

Desired:

• MBA degree
• Degree in supply chain management or logistics

• Analytical and conceptual thinking – using logic and reason
• Problem solving – specifically high level topics
• Integration – joining people, processes or systems
• High level knowledge of VW Systems (EBON, Tevon, AIP, AVON, etc)
• Resource management and prioritization
• Displays professional integrity
• Demonstrates commitment to self-improvement
• Computer savvy – skilled in the use of software
• Experience of success in conflict resolution

• Self-motivated with ability to work independently
• Ability to communicate and interact effectively at all levels within the organization and with outside vendors / suppliers
• Flexibility and professionalism in dealing with suppliers and internal customers
• Influencing and negotiation skills
• Strong verbal & written communication and presentation skills
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a team
• Proficient in MS Office programs (Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc)
• Proven negotiation and problem solving skills

Volkswagen Group of America is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome and encourage applicants from all backgrounds, and do not discriminate based on race, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, color, gender identity/expression, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by applicable laws.

This role description is a guideline and does not create contractual rights between the Company and any of its applicants. The Company does not enter into any type of employment contract, implied or written, with its applicants regarding job security.

This Organization participates in E-Verify. We maintain a drug free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing.