Foxconn System LLC
Job Description – Buyer- Direct Material
FSLA Status: Exempt
Location: Lordstown, OH
Reports To: Director of Procurement
Primary Function: As a key member of the Procurement team, the Buyer will be responsible for issuing purchase orders, ensuring uninterrupted material supply, managing and strengthening supplier relationships, and driving improvements in cost, quality, and delivery performance. This on-site role supports the procurement of direct materials for the Foxconn Ohio (FOH) facility in Lordstown, Ohio, and reports directly to the Director of Procurement. The successful candidate will manage a diverse portfolio of commodities, products, and components, overseeing end-to-end purchasing activities that support FOH's manufacturing and assembly operations. Responsibilities also include supplier identification, qualification, and strategic sourcing initiatives to support business objectives.
Core Skills:
- Strong negotiation skills to secure favorable pricing and terms
- Supplier relationship management to maintain reliable supply sources
- Cost analysis and budgeting to control material expenses
- Inventory management understanding to balance supply with production needs
- Analytical and problem-solving abilities for managing shortages, pricing fluctuations driven by market conditions and demand changes
- Strong communication skills for coordination with suppliers, production, engineering, quality and logistics teams
- Attention to detail in contracts, purchase orders, and specifications
Technical Knowledge
- Understanding of Bill of Materials (BOMs)
- Material Requirement Planning (MRP)
- Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, especially SAP
- Production scheduling and manufacturing process
- Supplier quality requirements
- Contract and purchasing terms
- Knowledge of Data Center products and associated suppliers a plus!
Key Responsibilities
- Source and qualify suppliers
- Issue and manage purchase orders
- Negotiate pricing, contracts, and delivery terms
- Monitor supplier performance KPIs (quality, delivery, cost)
- Ensure material availability to support production with special attending on long lead items
- Manage inventory levels and reduce excess stock
- Identify cost-saving opportunities and supply chain risks
Specific Duties and Responsibilities:
- Lead end-to-end supplier onboarding activities, ensuring timely qualification and integration of new suppliers.
- Create, issue, and maintain Purchase Orders (POs) in SAP, including supplier, pricing, and part master updates.
- Negotiate supplier pricing, delivery schedules, payment terms, confidentiality agreements, and master purchase agreements to optimize cost, quality, and service.
- Implement, monitor, and continuously improve purchasing policies, procedures, and processes to drive operational excellence.
- Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate supply chain risks to ensure continuity of supply.
- Develop and manage strategic supplier relationships, conducting regular business and performance reviews to drive continuous improvement
- Collaborate daily with Production Control teams to manage BOM releases and changes, demand fluctuations, material shortages, obsolescence notifications, and other operational requirements
- Partner with Legal to negotiate and execute commercial contracts and supplier agreements
- Work closely with Accounting to resolve invoice discrepancies, payment issues, and other supplier-related financial commitments
- Identify underperforming suppliers and lead cross-functional corrective action initiatives to improve performance and reliability
- Establish, track, and analyze supplier key performance indicators (KPIs), driving accountability and continuous improvement across the supply base
Required Education
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Finance, Business Administration, Mechanical, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering, or a closely related field, from an accredited institution required
Required Experience
- 3+ years of procurement experience preferred; experience in Finance, Quality, Engineering, Manufacturing, or related fields will also be considered
- ERP system experience required; SAP experience is a plus. Training on systems, processes, and work instructions will be provided
Required Competencies
- Action-Oriented – Proactively pursues new opportunities and tackles challenges with urgency, energy, accuracy, and enthusiasm.
- Collaborative – Builds strong partnerships and works effectively with others to achieve shared goals and drive collective success.
- Results-Driven – Delivers consistent, high-quality outcomes, even in complex or demanding situations.
- Interpersonally Savvy – Communicates openly and builds positive relationships with people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
- Adaptable – Adjusts approach, communication style, and priorities in real time to meet evolving needs and changing circumstances.
Required Skills/Licenses/Certifications
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with a proven ability to build and maintain effective relationships across internal teams, suppliers, and external stakeholders.
- CSCP, CPM, or CPP certification preferred; strong knowledge of Design for Excellence (DFx), including DFM and DFA methodologies, for cost optimization initiatives.
- Ability to read, interpret, and apply engineering drawings, technical specifications, and product requirements.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Project); broad technical aptitude with the ability to collaborate effectively across engineering, manufacturing, and supplier organizations.
- Highly self-motivated and results-driven, with outstanding time management, prioritization, organizational, and project management skills.
- Automotive industry experience preferred.
- Proven success managing supplier relationships, supporting new product launches, and driving supplier performance improvements through structured development programs.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a hands-on approach and keen attention to detail.
- Demonstrated expertise in contract negotiation, sourcing strategies, and commercial agreement management.
- Eager to learn, continuously improve, and contribute in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
