Purchasing Assistant (Urgent Hire)
Aston Carter
Job Title: Purchasing Assistant
Job Description
The Purchasing Assistant will report to the Acquisition Buyer and Sales Manager of Acquisition and Costing. The primary focus of this role is to support the Acquisition Buyer with responding to RFQs and RFPs, developing and managing the supply base, maintaining costed BOMs, and negotiating competitive pricing for components and raw materials needed for projects. Core responsibilities include:
– Part Procurement: Responsible for procuring all component-level pricing (raw materials, free-buy, and directed) during the Acquisition phase; maintaining timely and accurate pricing inputs.
– Supplier Relationships: Develop and maintain supplier relationships on assigned programs; leveraging relationships to drive opportunities for cost savings in the organization.
– Supplier Negotiations: Lead or support supplier negotiations, as required, with suppliers throughout the RFQ lifecycle through to contract award.
– Pricing Breakdown Audits: Audit supplier cost breakdowns, as needed, and identify opportunities for cost savings to meet (or exceed) cost targets on programs.
– RFQ/RFP Generation: Work with the Acquisition Engineer to develop accurate supplier data sheets to distribute to the supply base.
– Supply Base Management: Maintain and revise, as needed, general T&Cs to accommodate the business needs of any given program. Including, but not limited to: payment terms, DOH requirements, material economics, etcetera.
– Program Management: Demonstrate strong leadership skills in coordinating teams both internal and external to the organization.
– Value Stream Analysis: Evaluate opportunities from a high level to ensure DMS is offering the best value to its customers while maximizing profitability through efficiencies in process and outsource strategies.
– Contract Review: Audit, complete, and execute NDAs for accuracy and alignment of DMS, customer assumptions, terms, and conditions. With the support of legal advisors, create, review, and modify other legal contracts to protect DMS’ interests, as needed.
– Technical Presentations: Lead technical presentations to explain products or services to leadership, as needed. Leveraging cross-functional teams when appropriate.
– New Technology Development: Assist in researching and developing new supplier networks for targeted new technologies or regions in manufacturing.
– Data Management: Consolidate costing inputs from the supply base and follow-up as required to hold project timing during all phases of an RFQ or project.
– Program Handoff: Lead program handoff to Serial Life Purchasing for awarded business, following the DMS APQP (“GODMS”) process.
– Gap Analysis: Analyze cost and pricing gaps to market and identify ways in which DMS can compete more successfully in the market.
– Database Management: Develop, contribute to, and maintain an Acquisition Database: free-buy costs, labor rates, overhead rates, raw material economics, etcetera.
– KPI Management: Set up and measure KPIs, and regularly review the sales process for improvement opportunities.
– Other: Perform other duties and special projects, as assigned.
Hard Skills
Part Procurement
Supplier Relationships
Supplier Negotiations
Pricing Breakdown Audits
RFQ/RFP Generation
Supply Base Management
Program Management
Value Stream Analysis
Contract Review
Technical Presentations
New Technology Development
Data Management
Program Handoff
Gap Analysis
Database Management
KPI Management
Soft Skills
Leadership
Communication
Negotiation
Analytical Thinking
Detail-Oriented
Team Coordination
Work Site
This is a hybrid position requiring 3 days on-site in Detroit, Michigan and 2 days at home.
8am-5pm, Monday- Friday
About Aston Carter:
Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® double diamond winner for both client and talent service.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
At Aston Carter, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I are embedded into our culture through:
Hiring diverse talent
Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection
Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes
Ensuring growth opportunities for our people
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com (%20astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com) for other accommodation options.