Buyer Directed Buy and Chemicals – North America

Location: Detroit, MI

Job Posting Title

Legal Entity

American Axle & Manufacturing Inc

Job Description Summary

The Directed Buy and Chemicals buyer responsible for leading the strategic sourcing process to support Dauch North American manufacturing facilities. This includes request for quotation, evaluation of bids, cost breakdown analysis, negotiation, supplier evaluation, sourcing recommendation, and contracting. This role ensures cost-effective sourcing while maintaining quality and delivery standards in line with Tier 1 automotive supplier requirements. This role will work closely with engineering, manufacturing, sales, program management, finance, and suppliers to optimize the supply chain and support new product launches.

Contract Management: Execute contract and PO life cycle management activities, such as reporting for expiring or aged POs and execution of PO administration within various regions, clean-up, and line closure. Coordinate with suppliers and business partners to resolve routine issues such as past-due POs, match exceptions, discrepancies with freight charges and freight billings, cost recoveries, price/invoice issue resolution, updating/incrementing POs, etc.

Sourcing & Procurement: Execute new business sourcing within the developed Strategy with the approved supply base, consolidating strategic suppliers while reducing costs, maintaining quality and performance standards

Cost Analysis: Analyze supplier cost structures and market trends to identify opportunities for cost reductions

Financial Budgeting & Forecasting: Contribute to annual procurement budget development process and submit monthly forecasts to finance team

Negotiation: Conduct cost and price negotiations and establish long-term agreements with suppliers to deliver the highest value materials that meet cost, quality, and delivery requirements and drive cost savings and supplier performance improvements

Supplier Management: Develop and manage relationships suppliers to ensure quality, cost competitiveness, and on-time delivery

VA/VE & Cost Savings initiatives: Support and drive VA/VE initiatives to improve competitiveness of category spend to meet or exceed budget and business plan targets

Technical Support: Lead technical sourcing reviews with supply base, systems engineering, component engineering and supplier quality engineering contacts to close out all issues and ensure cross-functional support of sourcing recommendations

Risk Management: Identify and mitigate risks in the supply chain, including material shortages, price fluctuations, and geopolitical factors

Logistics & Inventory Management: Coordinate with suppliers and logistics teams to ensure efficient inventory levels and prevent supply disruptions

Quality & Compliance: Work with Quality and Engineering teams to ensure supplier compliance with IATF 16949, ISO 9001, and other Dauch and industry standards

Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work with internal teams (engineering, manufacturing, finance) to align procurement strategies with company objectives

Required Skills and Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or other related field

2-5 years of experience in purchasing, sourcing, or procurement within the automotive industry or related manufacturing industry

Thorough knowledge of industry purchasing policies, procedures, and commercial practices

Understanding of global sourcing, landed cost, and supply chain risk management

Strong negotiation skills with a history of cost savings and supplier performance improvement

Proficiency in ERP systems (Oracle / Plex Preferred) and data analytics tools

High degree of planning and organization skills

Ability to travel as required for supplier visits and audits

Preferred Qualifications

• Master of Business Administration (MBA) or equivalent
• Familiarity with cost drivers, cost breakdown analysis, and cost models
• Experience collaborating with international suppliers, particularly in North America, Europe, and Asia
• Intermediate to Advanced level computer skills required including strong Excel skills (Pivot Tables, V-Lookups)

About Dauch

Dauch Corporation is a premier Driveline and Metal Forming supplier serving the global automotive industry with a powertrain-agnostic product portfolio that supports electric, hybrid, and internal combustion vehicles. The company is headquartered in Detroit, MI, with operations that span 24 countries and more than 175 locations. Formed through the acquisition of Dowlais Group plc and its subsidiaries - GKN Automotive and GKN Powder Metallurgy, Dauch unites deep engineering roots with global manufacturing capabilities and an entrepreneurial spirit to move mobility forward. Visit www.dauch.com to learn more.

Dauch will not discriminate against any Associate or applicant for employment because of age, race, color, gender, religion, weight, height, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic history or information, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, national origin, or other characteristic protected by law. Dauch will take affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed, and that Associates are treated equally during employment, without regard to their age, race, color, gender, religion, weight, height, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic history or information, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, national origin, or other characteristic protected by law.

For the Disabled Job Seeker: We offer reasonable accommodations for qualified disabled individuals who are applicants for employment. To request assistance or accommodations, please e-mail [email protected]. Dauch is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.