Buying Specialist - Senior

Job Summary

The Procurement Specialist is responsible for executing sourcing and procurement strategies that deliver optimal cost, quality, delivery, and supplier performance while supporting business objectives. This role manages regional commodities aligned to global category strategies, develops supplier relationships, conducts sourcing and market analysis, mitigates supply risks, and drives continuous improvement initiatives. The position collaborates closely with cross-functional teams and suppliers to ensure a resilient supply base, support global procurement initiatives, and optimize total cost of ownership.

Key Responsibilities

• Execute sourcing and procurement strategies for direct materials, inventory items, capital goods, and services in alignment with global category strategies.
• Manage assigned commodity portfolios, including casting, forging, stamping, and other manufacturing categories, ensuring optimal supplier performance and cost competitiveness.
• Conduct supplier sourcing, supplier selection, Request for Quotation (RFQ), eBids, RapidSource activities, and tactical sourcing initiatives.
• Perform supplier evaluation, price benchmarking, cost analysis, market intelligence, and industry analysis to identify cost reduction and value improvement opportunities.
• Develop and maintain strong supplier relationships aligned with approved Category Partner Lists while ensuring supplier performance meets business expectations.
• Lead supplier negotiations within approved commercial frameworks to achieve favorable pricing, quality, delivery, and contractual terms.
• Monitor supplier performance, quality, delivery, capacity, and responsiveness while driving supplier development and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate supply chain risks by implementing supplier risk management strategies, dual sourcing, and business continuity plans.
• Support supplier tooling management, ensuring compliance with Cummins tooling ownership procedures, documentation, and lifecycle management.
• Analyze procurement data, spend trends, supplier performance metrics, and market conditions to support data-driven sourcing decisions.
• Prepare procurement reports, presentations, and business recommendations for procurement and supply chain leadership.
• Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, quality, finance, logistics, and global procurement teams to support new product introductions and sourcing initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with Cummins procurement policies, sourcing procedures, ethical standards, and Source-to-Pay processes.
• Support purchase requisition approvals and ensure timely procurement execution to meet operational requirements.
• Lead or participate in procurement improvement projects while coaching and supporting less experienced team members.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain Management, or a related discipline is required.
• MBA or postgraduate qualification in Supply Chain Management, Operations, or Procurement is preferred.
• Knowledge of Casting, Forging, and Stamping commodities is preferred.
• This position may require licensing for compliance with export control or sanctions regulations.

Skills

Technical Skills

• Strategic sourcing and global procurement
• Commodity management
• Supplier relationship management
• Supplier risk management
• Casting, forging, and stamping commodity knowledge
• Global sourcing and supplier development
• RFQ management and supplier evaluation
• Contract negotiation and commercial management
• Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analysis
• Price benchmarking and cost analysis
• Spend analysis and procurement analytics
• Market intelligence and supplier market research
• Source-to-Pay (S2P) process knowledge
• Procurement systems and procurement documentation
• Supplier tooling management
• Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and procurement reporting tools

Professional Competencies

• Strong analytical and data-driven decision-making skills
• Commercial acumen and negotiation capability
• Excellent stakeholder and supplier relationship management
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Effective communication and presentation skills
• Project and priority management
• Risk assessment and mitigation
• Continuous improvement mindset
• Leadership and coaching ability
• High ethical standards and procurement governance awareness
• Ability to work in a global, multicultural environment

Experience

• 8–14 years of relevant experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, supply chain, or commodity management within a manufacturing or industrial environment. Exceptional candidates with slightly less experience may also be considered.
• Experience managing global procurement activities and international supplier networks is preferred.
• Hands-on experience with casting, forging, stamping, or similar manufacturing commodities is highly desirable.
• Proven experience in supplier negotiations, supplier development, and cost optimization initiatives.
• Experience performing supplier risk assessments, business continuity planning, and supply base risk management.
• Strong background in procurement analytics, market analysis, price benchmarking, and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) evaluation.
• Experience collaborating with engineering, manufacturing, quality, and global cross-functional teams to deliver sourcing strategies and operational excellence.