Category Buyer, Indirect

Your Career. Your Impact. Your Future.  

At Gentherm, we believe the next big breakthrough begins with you. As a global leader in thermal management and pneumatic comfort technologies, we develop advanced systems that deliver meaningful solutions to enhance health, wellness, comfort, and efficiency in everyday life. Our products and innovations are created for you, by you. 

Be part of our team where a human-centric mindset drives everything we dofrom the technologies we build to the careers we support. With decades of expertise, we have pioneered advanced solutions that have become a standard expectation for consumers around the world. 

The same thoughtful approach we take in developing our technologies guides how we support your career: purposeful, impactful, and tailored to you. Because when you thrive, innovation thrives. 

CATEGORY BUYER, INDIRECT

IMPACT and OPPORTUNITY:

Category Buyer - Indirect purchasing will execute Gentherm's global indirect procurement strategies to optimize costs. This person will be responsible for contributing to the development of the category strategy and capable & competitive supply base to support business growth, create and execute cost savings initiatives to optimize spend in assigned category. The Category Buyer will ensure that the Indirect Purchasing system (Onventis) is maximized through user compliance, system optimization, and overall control of the Indirect PR (Purchase Requisition) and approval processes in the respective site. This position reports directly to the Category Manager North America, Indirect Purchasing.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversee, conduct, and actively manage the end-to-end strategic sourcing and procurement process in the respective category and site.
• Cooperation with both corporate and regional stakeholders to standardize corporate-wide product specifications and establish and implement a long-term category strategy.
• Establishment and execution of category goals, improvement plans, quarterly business reviews and monthly reporting
• Execution of effective supplier negotiations and event driven cost reduction initiatives.
• Contribution to and execution of category strategies through alignment with Gentherm's Internal Key Stakeholders (CBUs, Engineering, Operations and SCM, etc.)
• Management and decision making on supplier relationships including contracts, commercial/ pricing, capacity, supply assurance and conflict resolution for the assigned category
• Identification, establishment and development of new suppliers, supplier relationship management, supplier portfolio management and supplier performance evaluation
• Completing risk mitigation plans related to the industry players and event driven market challenges.
• Manage Capital Expenditure process in Mexico- ensuring competitive market testing, cost analysis and sourcing
• Establish and manage annual category budgets and KPI's – ensure cost savings/cost avoidance targets achieved
• Provide external focus with category intelligence, industry insights and technology trends
• Manage the RFQ process, internal approvals and supplier selection
• Run the purchase order administrative process and optimize administrative efficiency using the defined IT software capabilities
• Guarantee the compliance of the purchasing process with financial rules in the various phases: competitive bids and supplier selection, purchase order process, as well as with the Code of Ethics
• Confirm material availability and lead time for the indirect materials and services
• Ensure supplier capacities to avoid supply bottlenecks

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in business, Engineering and/or Economics
• 5+ years of strategic sourcing, cost analysis, negotiations experience
• 2+ years of experience in multi-cultural environment
• 3+ years of experience in Capital Purchasing
• Excellent project management and communication skills  
• Strong negotiation skills
• Persuasiveness, assertiveness, and target orientation
• Comprehensive know-how of Purchasing methods and tools
• Fluency in English (spoken and written); able to negotiate (contracts) in English language
• Strong MS Office, SAP skills is an advantage, understanding of customer requirements, job specific processes and reporting tools
• Ability to transfer technical matters into economic considerations
• Strong team player and intercultural competence

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree in business, Engineering and/or Economics, alternatively several years of professional experience in a comparable position 
• 2+ years of professional experience in a comparable purchasing position of a global automotive company.

At Gentherm México, we offer more than a job — we offer a path to make a difference. With plants in Acuña, Celaya, and Monterrey, we're strategically positioned in Mexico's automotive industry and part of a global team shaping the future of mobility

We value innovative, execution-driven talent and offer a safe, inclusive, and growth-focused workplace where you can develop cutting-edge automotive technologies

Gentherm is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status

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