This position manages New Program Launches from the prototype phase through production launch, including cost estimating, Bill of Materials (BOMs), supplier selection, and handoff to Production Purchasing. It requires working closely with Advanced Product Launch Buyers (PLB) from both local and sister plants, Plant Commodity Purchasing, Supplier Quality Engineers (SQE), Supplier Development Engineers (SDE) and Global Supply Chain Managers (GSM) to source New Part Introduction (NPI) programs and components to meet company cost and timing targets.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Coordinates Supplier Design Reviews for new components and drawings.
• Evaluates part designs with Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Logistics, and Suppliers to optimize cost and efficiencies.
• Estimates costs for new components using existing component and supplier data.
• Develops and maintains costed BOMs when applicable and maintains history of BOM cost.
• Sends and tracks Request for Quotes (RFQ) for Prototype and Production using Global and Local sourcing strategies.
• Estimates and maintains a tooling budget for New Program tooling.
• Issues tooling purchase orders (PO) for New Program tooling.
• Assures Tooling documentation has been received prior to releasing payment to Vendor per the Supplier Manual procedure.
• Works with Finance to monitor blocked invoices to assure vendors are paid in a timely manner.
• Negotiates basic long-term agreements for new production components.
• Continually reduces component costs through negotiations, long term agreements, Value Analysis/Value Engineering (VA/VE), Process Analysis, Design Reviews, and Supplier Selection.
• Supports Design-For-Value (DFV) activities to obtain optimal design and cost for components.
• Develops new suppliers that meet BW cost, quality and delivery requirements.
• Coordinates and facilitates supplier relationship with internal functions.
• Attends, as a key member, New Product Release meetings and Quality Gate Reviews, including assisting or participating in presentations to Senior Management.
• Assists or leads prototype procurement meetings for Engineering and Prototype Model Shop.
• Assists or leads Supplier Selection Meetings and presents recommended supplier.
• Support the We Are Ready audits.
• Support the Global Sourcing Board process 100%.
• Understands and adheres to current quality and control policies.
• Understands and adheres to current health, safety, and environmental policies.
• Adheres to the Purchasing and Sourcing Policies and practices.
• Scope of position may be limited in size and complexity.
• Aspects of work results may be reviewed throughout the task towards defined objectives.
• Performs other duties as requested, directed, or assigned.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor?s degree (Mechanical Engineering, Supply Chain, Business or related) required.
• Mechanical Engineering background preferred.
• 1-3 years of Production, R&D or Advanced Purchasing experience with various component assemblies and parts in a manufacturing facility.
• APICS, CPM, CPSM or related Certification strongly preferred.
• Experience in procurement processes strongly preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) required.
• Experience in SAP purchasing module strongly preferred. Experience with other software considered.
• Must have good communication skills, both written and verbal; good presentation skills; strong demonstrated negotiation skills, and have the ability to read and interpret drawings/blueprints.
• Good English language skills (spoken and written).

• Proficiency level Portuguese (spoken and written).