About the position GM Defense (GMD) continues a 100-year legacy of designing, validating, and manufacturing vehicles and equipment in support of defense and other government customers. Within GM Defense, the recently created Autonomous Driving and Robotics group is charged with adapting, integrating, and enhancing GM’s automated driving capabilities to the needs of GM Defense customers. The GMD Purchasing team is seeking an experienced buyer to support production procurement activities for current and future GMD programs. This buyer will be responsible for purchase of all or a specific portion of productive and/or non-productive materials, supplies, machinery, tooling and/or services. Responsible for actively participating in the development of commodity strategy, sourcing/negotiations, global/regional material budget execution, and interface with suppliers or internal stakeholders. The work is of complex nature involving a considerable amount of initiative, analytical work and a high level of independent judgment. This role requires an experienced buyer to drive a multi-functional team including collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Executing purchasing and sourcing technologies into GMD vehicles
• Actively participating in development of commodity strategy, sourcing, negotiations, and interface with the leading suppliers and stakeholders.
• Managing commercial issues with suppliers and assessing supplier performance
• Managing key strategic supplier relationships
• Conducting benchmark procurement processes to develop and implement best practices
• Demonstrating competence in negotiating skills
• Professional interpersonal verbal and written communication skills
• High level of analytical ability where problems can be somewhat complex
• Developing organizational skills including the ability to prioritize, handle multiple projects simultaneously, and meet deadlines
• Utilizing software such as SAP and/or MRP Systems

Requirements

• Bachelors degree in Purchasing, Supply Chain, or related field
• 5+ years of post-graduation work experience in Direct, Indirect or Aftersales Purchasing.
• Strong business acumen, interpersonal verbal and written communication skills while maintaining the ability to prioritize tasks, balance multiple Programs simultaneously and meet deadlines
• Coordinate internal and cross functionally issue escalation process
• Demonstrate ability to manage ambiguity and work independently
• Familiarity with commodity structure, component architecture & supply base strategy
• Familiarity with program & sourcing process timelines
• Candidate must either be a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, asylee or refugee) or a non-U.S. Person who is eligible to obtain any required export control authorization.

Nice-to-haves

• Procurement experience
• Defense industry experience
• Experience with SAP Procurement Systems
• Knowledge of procurement software and materials management
• Ability to read blueprints and to understand basic engineering documents
• Proven knowledge of contract law and its applications regarding purchasing processes
• Ability to work globally, independently, and self-directed
• Active US Secret Security clearance