Job Description

Hybrid: This position requires you to work on-site 3 times a week (Tue to Thu)

The Senior Buyer is responsible for managing purchasing activities, supplier relationships, commercial negotiations, and sourcing strategies for assigned commodities and vehicle programs. This role represents Purchasing within cross-functional program teams and ensures alignment between purchasing priorities, program requirements, cost targets, quality expectations, and launch timing.

The Senior Buyer works closely with Program Management, Engineering, Supply Chain, Finance, Quality, and suppliers to support business objectives, resolve commercial issues, and ensure effective supplier performance throughout the program lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

• Represent Purchasing in cross-functional program meetings and communicate program requirements to relevant purchasing stakeholders.

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for assigned commodities, including metals, stamped parts, castings, plastics, resins, paints, electronics, and related components.

• Lead commercial negotiations with suppliers and support the achievement of cost, quality, delivery, and timing objectives.

• Manage supplier commercial issues, risks, escalations, and performance improvement actions.

• Evaluate supplier performance and ensure alignment with program requirements and business expectations.

• Build and maintain effective relationships with internal stakeholders and external suppliers.

• Collaborate with Program Management to understand vehicle program requirements and support the overall vehicle line strategy.

• Analyze market conditions, supplier capabilities, cost drivers, and business risks to support informed purchasing decisions.

• Review purchasing-related contracts and ensure compliance with applicable commercial and procurement requirements.

• Support sourcing, supplier nomination, product development, and vehicle launch activities.

• Maintain accurate purchasing documentation, commercial records, and project status updates.

Mandatory Requirements

• Professional experience in purchasing, procurement, strategic sourcing, or supplier management.

• Experience working with one or more commodities such as metals, stamped parts, castings, plastics, resins, paints, electronics, or other automotive components.

• Experience managing commercial topics with suppliers and evaluating supplier performance.

• Proven negotiation skills and the ability to achieve results in complex business situations.

• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills in English.

• Advanced English proficiency for communication with internal and external stakeholders.

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a cross-functional and international environment.

• Ability to interpret market data and assess its potential business impact.

• Ability to read technical drawings and understand basic engineering documentation.

• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in the automotive industry.

• Knowledge of procurement, sourcing, or purchasing software.

• Knowledge of materials management processes and supply chain principles.

• Strong knowledge of contract law and its application to procurement processes.

• Experience supporting product development, vehicle programs, or launch activities.

• Experience working with cost analysis, should-cost models, or supplier cost structures.

Core Competencies

• Strategic sourcing and purchasing

• Supplier relationship management

• Commercial and contract management

• Negotiation and influencing

• Cross-functional collaboration

• Market and cost analysis

• Supplier performance management

• Risk management

• Professional communication

About GM

Our vision is a world with Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions and Zero Congestion and we embrace the responsibility to lead the change that will make our world better, safer and more equitable for all.

Why Join Us 

We believe we all must make a choice every day – individually and collectively – to drive meaningful change through our words, our deeds and our culture. Every day, we want every employee to feel they belong to one General Motors team.

Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunities

General Motors is committed to being a workplace that is not only free of unlawful discrimination, but one that genuinely fosters inclusion and belonging. We strongly believe that providing an inclusive workplace creates an environment in which our employees can thrive and develop better products for our customers.

We encourage interested candidates to review the key responsibilities and qualifications for each role and apply for any positions that match their skills and capabilities. Applicants in the recruitment process may be required, where applicable, to successfully complete a role-related assessment(s) and/or a pre-employment screening prior to beginning employment. To learn more, visit How we Hire.

Accommodations

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