Category Buyer

**Tenneco is one of the world’s leading designer, manufacturers and marketers of automotive products for original equipment and aftermarket customers, with approximately 78.000 team members working at more than 300 sites worldwide. Through our four business groups, Motorparts, Ride Performance, Clean Air and Powertrain, Tenneco is driving advancements in global mobility by delivering technology solutions for diversified global markets, including light vehicle, commercial truck, off-highway, industrial, motorsport and the aftermarket.**

**GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES**:
The Category Buyer will directly report to the Category Manager/Sr. Manager and will act as the primary support by preparing required documentation for supplier meetings and negotiations, presentations to management for sourcing events and project implementation. Responsible for driving the RFQ process and analyzing the results associated with the Request for Quote (RFQ)/Request for Information (RFI), working on New Part Introduction and ensuring suppliers meet requirements for delivery, quality and cost. Responsible for directing and controlling the purchasing efforts.

**JOB REQUIREMENTS**:

- Research materials and suppliers to develop an expertise related to the commodity supported.
- Possess knowledge of supply market trends and characteristics (e.g., associations, trade publications and indexes, etc.)
- Assist in the development of commodity strategies, sourcing activities, and project implementation.
- Collect cost breakdowns from incumbent and potential new suppliers.
- Prepare required documentation for supplier meetings or negotiations.
- Prepare presentations to management for sourcing events.
- Attend meetings as required to support or represent the Category Manager.
- Prepare and send RFQ/RFIs for commodity projects.
- Maintain consistent communication with suppliers to ensure RFQ timelines are met.
- Interface between suppliers and engineering/operations/marketing to answer any questions related to RFQ documents.
- Perform financial analysis of RFQ results to determine overall cost competitiveness.
- Make sourcing recommendations based upon RFI and RFQ results.
- Work on Supply base rationalization, development & spend management/segmentation for geographic considerations, Best Cost Country (BCC), Localization objectives, BU/plant-specific needs, new technologies, marketing/product strategies and cost management goals
- Evaluate blocked invoices and resolve discrepancies related to price or quantity differences.
- Ensure invoice issues do not adversely affect supplier relationships.
- Identify opportunities to improve invoice process between supplier and AP to reduce total number of blocked invoices.
- Utilize supply base knowledge to manage risk to supply potentially caused by financial instability or insolvency at individual suppliers or related to supplier’s customer bankruptcy proceedings
- Serve as focal point for escalation of all supplier relationship issues
- Drive supplier approval process
- Manage/drive commodity review of projects for all relevant commodity activities
- Drive cash flow improvements initiatives (payment terms negotiations, consignment stock agreements, stock level rationalization, shortening LT, etc.)
- Support for new supplier creation

**REQUIREMENTS**:

- Bachelors Degree Business Administration, Industrial or Operations Engineering Supply Chain Management, or a related field required
- 2-5 years of experience in Purchasing/Procurement and/or Materials Management, preferred
- Demonstrated background and proven experience with RFQ processes, data analysis and commodity support
- Demonstrated background and proven experience with high level supplier negotiations and materials management
- Working with Global team to drive substantial savings for the organization.
- Excellent interpersonal and English communication skills
- Travel Required: 5-25%, Domestic and International
- Strong analytical skills & attention to detail
- Strong technical experience with an ERP system, Ariba Buyer or Sourcing
- Knowledge of sourcing strategies and processes
- Proven experience leading large, cross-functional strategic projects
- Ability to manage multiple projects at a time and often under tight timeframes
- Strong partnering and collaborative skills as well as strong verbal, written & presentation skills
- Advanced skills working in MS Office suite

**We are committed to the safety and health of our employees. We adhere to social distancing recommendations and other protocols, ensuring a safe work environment for all.**

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