Global Commodity Buyer - Actuators & Sensors

Global Commodity Buyer - Actuators & Sensors

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly skilled Global Commodity Buyer with proven expertise in actuator and sensor procurement within the automotive and industrial sectors. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong negotiation skills with global suppliers across Europe, North America, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, and other key sourcing regions, excellent communication abilities, and a solid track record in commodity strategy development, strategic sourcing, supplier panel management, supplier development, and cost optimization initiatives.

The successful candidate will be responsible for managing a global supplier base for Electric VNT (Variable Nozzle Turbine) Actuators, Electric Wastegate (WG) Actuators, eRCV (Electronic Recirculation Control Valve) / EGR-related Actuators, Temperature Sensors, Pressure Sensors, Pneumatic Actuators, Hydraulic Actuators, and other sensing and actuation technologies. This role requires close collaboration with Engineering, Quality, Operations, Supply Chain, Program Management, and Finance teams to support new product development, supplier selection, localization initiatives, business continuity, and cost competitiveness objectives.

The candidate must possess strong technical and commercial knowledge of the key cost drivers associated with actuator and sensor products, including DC Motors, BLDC Motors, PCB Assemblies, Semiconductors, Position Sensors, Connectors, Magnetic Components, Rare Earth Magnets, Plastic Injection Molded Parts, Die-Cast and Machined Aluminum Housings, Gear Trains, Electronic Control Modules, and Electromechanical Assemblies. A sound understanding of electronics supply chains, semiconductor market dynamics, commodity trends, manufacturing processes, and supply risk management will be essential to drive competitive sourcing strategies, productivity improvements, and value engineering initiatives.

This role will serve as a key interface between internal stakeholders and the supply base, ensuring alignment of sourcing strategies with business objectives while delivering sustainable cost reductions, operational excellence, innovation, quality, and supply continuity.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute global commodity strategies for Actuators and Sensors.

• Scout, evaluate, qualify, and onboard new suppliers for Actuation and Sensing commodities.

• Build and maintain a robust global supplier panel aligned with regional operational requirements across Europe, India, China, Asia-Pacific, North America, and Brazil.

• Achieve Annual Operating Plan (AOP) targets for assigned sub-commodities within Actuation and Sensing commodity management.

• Drive quarterly material productivity / Cost Saving (MATEX) targets through strategic negotiations, value analysis/value engineering (VA/VE), supplier productivity initiatives, and optimized sourcing strategies.

• Develop, consolidate, and execute productivity roadmaps to improve cost competitiveness and operational efficiency.

• Lead sub-commodity strategy development and ensure alignment with customer, business unit, and platform requirements.

• Conduct annual commercial negotiations and long-term agreement discussions with strategic suppliers.

• Manage supplier performance related to quality, delivery, cost, capacity, innovation, sustainability, and compliance.

• Monitor market intelligence, industry trends, emerging technologies, raw material fluctuations, and competitive benchmarking related to sensing, actuation, electronics, and electromechanical systems.

• Lead supplier risk assessments and develop mitigation plans to ensure supply continuity and business resilience.

• Manage supplier capacity planning and support capacity expansion initiatives to meet business growth requirements.

• Drive supplier performance improvement through Quarterly Business Reviews , supplier scorecards, and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Support Supply Chain and Operations teams in resolving supply disruptions, delivery challenges, and escalation management while influencing suppliers to meet customer requirements.

• Partner with Engineering and Quality teams on design-to-cost, localization, supplier development, and new product introduction (NPI) activities.

• Foster strategic relationships with key global suppliers to drive innovation, technology roadmaps, and long-term value creation.

Candidate Profile

Mandatory Skills & Experience

• Minimum 10+ years of experience in Strategic Sourcing, Commodity Management, or Procurement within automotive, industrial, electronics, or electromechanical industries.

• Proven experience in Actuator and Sensor procurement.

• Strong negotiation skills with global suppliers and proven ability to deliver measurable commercial results.

• Excellent communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.

• Strong understanding of actuator and sensor technologies and their key cost drivers.

• Experience working in a global organization with multiple cross-functional and international stakeholders.

• Proven ability to develop and execute commodity strategies, supplier segmentation strategies, localization initiatives, and supplier panel optimization.

• Experience managing suppliers across multiple geographic regions including Europe, North America, China, India, Japan, South Korea, and Brazil.

• Strong analytical capabilities and ability to leverage market data to support sourcing decisions.

• Experience in supplier performance management, cost reduction initiatives, and risk mitigation activities.

Preferred Attributes

• Strategic thinker with a global mindset.

• Strong business and commercial acumen.

• Ability to foster long-term supplier relationships and strategic partnerships.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

• Results-oriented with a continuous improvement mindset.

• Effective leadership and cross-functional collaboration capabilities.

• Adaptability to work in a fast-paced global environment and embrace a high-performance work culture.

Education / Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or a related discipline.

• Electrical/Electronics Engineering background preferred due to the technical nature of actuator, sensor, and electronic component sourcing.

• MBA or Post-Graduate qualification in Supply Chain, Procurement, or Business Management will be an added advantage.

Preferred Commodity Exposure

• Electric VNT Actuators

• Electric Wastegate Actuators

• Pneumatic Actuators

• Hydraulic Actuators

• eRCV / EGR Actuators

• Pressure Sensors

• Temperature Sensors

• Position Sensors

• DC Motors / BLDC Motors

• PCB Assemblies

• Semiconductors

• Connectors & Harnesses

• Magnet Assemblies

• Plastic Injection Molded Components

• Aluminum Die Castings & Machined Components

• Electronic Control Modules (ECMs)

This position will be instrumental in strengthening our global procurement strategy, enhancing supplier performance, driving sustainable productivity, and delivering long-term value through best-in-class commodity management and sourcing excellence.