Direct Buyer – Procurement of Production Materials

About the role

The Direct Buyer is responsible for executing procurement activities for all direct production materials required for manufacturing operations. This role involves sourcing, negotiating, and managing suppliers to ensure uninterrupted material availability while meeting cost, quality, and delivery targets. The buyer works closely with cross‑functional teams to support production needs, engineering changes, and new model developments.

Key responsibilities

• Manage sourcing for localized components such as metals, plastics, electrical parts, chemicals and other vehicle production items.
• Lead supplier development workshops and identify new products suitable for localization across current and new programs.
• Develop sourcing strategies and prepare recommendation packages with local and global benchmarking.
• Run competitive bidding processes, issue RFQs, analyse quotations and prepare detailed cost‑comparison reports.
• Drive localization initiatives and present proposals to management.
• Implement price changes related to Engineering Work Orders for local parts.
• Create and manage purchase orders and annual contracts for localized components.
• Support cross‑functional teams (Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain) in supplier qualification and onboarding.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships, tracking performance in quality, delivery and responsiveness.
• Conduct commercial negotiations to secure competitive pricing and favourable terms.
• Support cost‑reduction, localization, VA/VE projects and track material cost changes.
• Collaborate with Engineering on technical specifications, BOMs, PPAP and engineering change requests.
• Cooperate with Quality to address supplier non‑conformities and corrective actions.
• Work with Finance for invoice verification and payment matters.
• Ensure compliance with internal procurement policies, maintain accurate supplier records, contracts and documentation.
• Update SAP with correct material, supplier and pricing information.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration or a related field.
• 3–5 years of experience in direct material purchasing within the automotive industry.
• Familiarity with automotive components and manufacturing processes.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• High attention to detail, accuracy and strong organisational skills.

Required skills

• Proficiency in SAP.
• Advanced use of Microsoft Excel.
• Advanced use of Microsoft PowerPoint.