Buyer - New Product Line Introductions

Job Title: Buyer – New Product Line Introductions

Location: Skokie, IL

Work Arrangement: ON-SITE

Tenneco is one of the world’s leading designer, manufacturers, and marketers of automotive products for original equipment and aftermarket customers, with approximately 65,000 team members working at more than 200 sites worldwide. Through our four business groups, DRiV, Performance Solutions, 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.

This position will report within the DRiV business group. DRiV is Tenneco’s aftermarket product solutions group, with a mission to deliver advancements that help people get the most out of every vehicle, every ride, every race, and every journey.  We strive to consistently deliver top tier results behind branded product solutions for our community and shareholders. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead sourcing activities and oversee implementation of new product line introductions
• Establish a world-class supply base for new product lines through supplier mining techniques, risk assessments, performance management, and development plans.
• Prepare and send RFQ/RFIs
• Perform financial analysis of RFQ results to determine overall cost competitiveness.
• Maintain consistent communication with suppliers to build strong relationships.
• Lead supplier meetings, negotiations, and strategy development.
• Work with cross functional teams to ensure sourcing decisions meet technical and quality specifications.
• Become a subject matter expert in categories managed.
• Work directly with the Purchasing Manager to develop a launch plan.
• Report and track progress vs plan monthly.
• Oversee project management duties to ensure timely execution of launch related projects.

Minimum Requirements:

Education:  Bachelor’s Degree in Business / Supply Chain / Engineering / Logistics

Experience: 5- 10 years of experience in Purchasing/Procurement and/or Materials Management, prefer demonstrated background and proven experience with independently managing new product line launches

Skills:

• Strong negotiation skills; expert understanding of terms, conditions, and contracting techniques for managing risk.
• Excellent communication skills, including written, verbal and presentation skills; comfortable and credible with both internal stakeholders and external audiences. 
• Strong project management skills, including stakeholder, timeline, and meeting management skills.
• Able to work up, down, and across a large organization; connects at all levels, i.e., operations, management, executives.
• A flexible, dynamic, self-demanding and proactive individual; able to motivate him/herself and others; easily accepts constructive input from others.