Purchasing Agent

Role Summary

Purpose and Responsibility of the Position:
The individual is responsible to identify, initiate, negotiate, control and maintain external national and international sources to deliver uninterrupted material and services for the entire organization, within the boundaries of an established mandate.
The position level (Purchasing Agent) is based on skills, knowledge, abilities, experience, education, certification(s) and proven knowledge & positive performance in Automotive Industry, Production Parts, Services and MRO.
The Purchasing Agent is responsible to ensure that the Customer, People, and Investor goals are balanced and met.

Key Responsibilities

The individual shall conduct themselves in a manner that reflects honor, integrity and trust, promotes the core values and professionalism of the organization, and complies with the Magna Charter (employees, customers and shareholders).

The individual must be self-motivated, self-starting, self-monitoring to ensure the continuous supply and availability of all assigned production & maintenance materials, parts, chemicals, tooling, MRO, capital equipment, protective equipment, office supplies & equipment, services and/or other items to satisfy the needs of all departments in the organization in accordance to an established mandate.

Detailed tasks include, but are not limited to;
• Together with appropriate departments, compile the Bid Package (description, specification, performance indicators, targets, drawings, designs, Terms and Conditions, etc.)RFQ, RFP, RFO;
• Prepare/Release Approved supplier List (Identify and manage potential and existing industry sources, facilitate relevant validations such as audits, background checks, site visits and supplier presentations);
• Solicit bids and compile recommendations and conduct/participate the negotiation phase;
• Lead negotiations and conclude contract establishment (Master Purchase Orders) in a timely manner;
• Monitor performance delivery forecasts and takes action where required;
• Reconcile variances between Purchase Order and invoice.
• Perform other duties as required.
• Facilitate disputes between the Supplier and the organization;
• Monitor markets and forecast appropriate changes that affect pricing, delivery and quality, compile relevant actions and recommendations to minimize negative market conditions and capitalize on positive market trends;
• Identify and capitalize continuously cost savings opportunities;
• Identify, validate and introduce process and product innovation from the supply industry into the organization;
• Monitor Supplier Performance and take actions where required;
• Monitor changing market conditions and perceptions and introduce relevant actions in the organization (diversity, environmental policy, corporate citizenship, etc).
• Fulfill special projects and campaign assignment tasks and duties as assigned from time to time.

Key Qualifications/Requirements

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree (4 year degree); or Purchasing Certification Certificate of C.P.M. and/or CPSM as issued by the Institute of Supply Management (ISM) with preferably five years of purchasing experience and/or displayed knowledge & positive performance in the Automotive Industry.

Communication Skills

• Reading, analyzing and interpreting general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, and or governmental regulations;
• Writing reports, business correspondence, and RFQs, RFPs, and RFIs;
• Presenting information and responding to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public;
• Leading discussions, public speaking, meetings, presentations and forums;
• Electronic Communication Means (telephone, e-mails, video conferencing, web conferencing, etc);

Mathematical Skills

• Mathematical concepts,
• Concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions,
• Standard Costing Techniques
• Metric and imperial measurement systems.
• Financial transactions and concepts,
• Statistical analyses.

Reasoning Ability

• Specification and Problem definition, data collection, fact determination, drawing valid conclusions, and formulating clear recommendations,
• Quick interpretation and formulation of argument, counter opinion and factual statement for negotiation conclusion.
• Recognize purchasing opportunities
• Lead Teams and Manage Business Units
• Assist in Training/Mentoring
• Deal with several abstract and concrete variables

Physical Demands / Work Environment

• Office Environment; 70% sitting at desk; 30% walking.
• Occasional business travel may be a requirement.

Awareness. Unity. Empowerment.