Commodity Research Jobs Near Me

Job Title: Commodity Buyer
Job Description
The Commodity Buyer plays a key role in managing piece price, investment, and annual cost reduction for assigned automotive parts, directly impacting overall financial performance. This position focuses on analyzing global and North American supply bases, understanding manufacturing processes and critical part design elements, and proposing suppliers that deliver the best combination of cost, quality, development capability, and delivery performance. The role offers a contract-to-hire path with long-term growth opportunities in procurement within a major automotive manufacturer and access to strong benefits upon permanent hire.
Responsibilities

• Manage assigned commodity portfolio of approximately 8-10 suppliers with an annual spend ranging from $150 million to $300 million.
• Develop, gain approval for, and execute detailed situational analyses for assigned commodities and suppliers, including assessment of global and North American supply bases, manufacturing processes, and key part design elements.
• Research and continuously monitor industry trends in sourcing, technology, and market pricing to support informed purchasing decisions.
• Lead accurate and timely supplier selection for new and existing models, ensuring Bill of Materials (BOM) data is maintained and updated correctly.
• Coordinate and gain consensus on new model supplier selections while managing multiple model developments, collaborating closely with stakeholders such as engineering and design centers, including international partners.
• Build and maintain long-term, trust-based relationships with suppliers to support stable supply and ongoing collaboration.
• Establish logical and achievable new model cost targets for assigned commodities, and negotiate with suppliers to meet these targets for all new model activities.
• Drive achievement of annual mass production cost improvement goals through strategic sourcing, negotiations, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure accurate and timely processing of supplier quotations to support efficient payment at mass production timing.
• Maintain the Global Maker Layout system and issue Global Sourcing Requests in alignment with corporate sourcing strategies.
• Support project coordination activities related to new model launches and commodity changes, collaborating with cross-functional teams.
• Use purchasing systems and tools, including purchase order management and SAP, to execute procurement activities efficiently.
• Apply strong Excel skills to analyze cost data, track supplier performance, and prepare reports and supporting documentation for decision-making.

Essential Skills

• 0-2 years of experience in purchasing, procurement, supply chain, or a closely related field.
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, or a related discipline.
• Foundational experience or education in purchasing and procurement processes.
• Understanding of supply chain principles and practices within a manufacturing or automotive environment.
• Ability to perform negotiations with suppliers, including preparation, discussion of commercial terms, and follow-up.
• Strong Excel skills for data analysis, cost tracking, and reporting.
• Experience with purchase order management and related administrative processes.
• Basic project coordination skills, including organizing tasks, tracking progress, and communicating with stakeholders.
• Ability to work with SAP or similar enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accurate and timely data maintenance, especially for BOM and quotation records.
• Effective communication skills to collaborate with internal stakeholders and external suppliers.
• Ability to build and maintain professional relationships with suppliers based on trust and transparency.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Previous hands-on negotiation experience with suppliers is preferred and considered a strong asset.
• Interest in developing a long-term career path in procurement and supply chain within the automotive industry.
• Comfort working with global stakeholders and understanding international supply bases.
• Ability to interpret industry trends in sourcing, technology, and market pricing to support strategic decisions.
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to establish logical cost targets and evaluate supplier quotations.
• Organizational skills to manage multiple model developments and supplier relationships simultaneously.
• Motivation to contribute to annual cost improvement initiatives and continuous improvement in purchasing processes.

Work Environment
This role is based in a cubicle office environment within a research and development center, providing a professional setting with close collaboration across engineering, design, and procurement teams. The standard work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with some flexibility in hours possible. The position uses tools and systems such as Excel, SAP, and internal procurement platforms, including the Global Maker Layout system and Global Sourcing Request processes. Team members wear Honda uniforms in the workplace, reflecting a consistent and professional dress code. The environment supports long-term growth in procurement, with a contract-to-hire structure and access to strong benefits upon permanent hire.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Raymond, OH.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $28.85 - $31.25/hr.
Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a hybrid position in Raymond,OH.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Sep 2, 2026.
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® Platinum Award winner for both client and talent service.
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 for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.