Senior Buyer

About the Company

SKF is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and fostering an inclusive workplace. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, experience, business needs, and the candidate’s ability to perform the responsibilities of the position.

About the Role

SKF is looking for a proactive and analytical Direct Materials Buyer to join our Purchasing team at the Monterrey Plant in Guadalupe, Nuevo León. In this role, you will manage the operational purchasing activities for assigned direct material categories, support the implementation of local, regional, and global sourcing strategies, and collaborate closely with internal stakeholders and suppliers. You will be responsible for supplier negotiations, cost analysis, contract implementation, sourcing projects, supplier performance, and continuous improvement initiatives. The position requires autonomy, strong analytical capabilities, advanced negotiation skills, and the ability to operate effectively in a multicultural and cross-functional environment. The role supports both internal and external customers and offers a potential development path toward a management position.

Responsibilities

• Manage purchasing activities for assigned direct material categories in accordance with SKF purchasing strategies, policies, and established frameworks.
• Review purchase requisitions and identify appropriate sources of supply for operational and spot-buying requirements.
• Negotiate commercial conditions and execute supplier agreements within the assigned level of authority.
• Select suppliers and contracts based on purchasing strategies, operational requirements, cost competitiveness, quality, delivery, and applicable procedures.
• Advise internal stakeholders throughout the purchasing cycle, including the evaluation of cost-effective alternatives and the resolution of purchasing-related issues.
• Collaborate with suppliers and internal users to resolve commercial, operational, quality, and supply-related conflicts.
• Monitor supplier performance according to established QCDIM processes and coordinate corrective actions when required.
• Track purchasing spend, supplier pricing, material costs, forecasts, and volumes to support business planning and standard cost calculations.
• Support the implementation of purchasing processes, systems, sustainability requirements, CSR initiatives, and supplier development activities.
• Participate in local, regional, and global strategic sourcing initiatives.
• Provide local market information and purchasing data to global and regional category management teams.
• Support RFI and RFP processes, including information validation, supplier evaluation, and supplier selection.
• Collaborate with Global Category Managers and internal stakeholders to ensure the successful local implementation of sourcing strategies and new contracts.
• Monitor contract compliance with internal stakeholders and suppliers, identifying and implementing corrective actions when necessary.
• Support Senior Buyers and the Purchasing Manager in bidding processes, supplier management, and sourcing initiatives for unique or specialized categories.
• Execute internal approval and industrialization processes for new projects, ensuring alignment with APQP, QCDIM, and customer-specific requirements.
• Identify, analyze, validate, implement, and report cost-saving initiatives in collaboration with suppliers, category managers, and internal stakeholders.
• Perform all purchasing activities in accordance with the SKF Code of Conduct, Environmental Health and Safety requirements, the Quality Management System, and applicable internal policies.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree. The formal Job Description identifies Industrial Engineering, Administration, International Business, or a similar educational background as relevant for the position.

Required Skills

• 4 to 6 years of professional experience in direct materials purchasing, strategic sourcing, supply chain, or a related procurement function.
• Previous experience in the automotive or industrial manufacturing sector.
• Experience managing direct material categories such as metallic components, plastics, forgings, seals, or similar commodities is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in supplier management, commercial negotiations, sourcing projects, and cost-saving initiatives.
• Experience working with multicultural and cross-functional teams.
• Experience supporting new product introduction, industrialization, or supplier development projects is desirable.

Preferred Skills

• Direct materials purchasing and strategic sourcing processes.
• Supply chain processes and supplier management.
• Cost analysis, price trends, forecasting, and standard cost calculations.
• Supplier evaluation and performance management.
• RFI, RFP, negotiation, and contract implementation processes.
• APQP and industrialization processes.
• Knowledge of QCDIM principles.
• Familiarity with IATF 16949 and ISO 9001- requirements.
• Knowledge of ERP and purchasing systems such as SAP, Ariba, or similar platforms.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.

Pay range and compensation package

This position provides the opportunity to contribute directly to business performance through supplier development, sourcing strategy implementation, cost optimization, and operational excellence. The role offers exposure to local, regional, and global purchasing initiatives, with potential career development toward purchasing management.

Equal Opportunity Statement

SKF is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and fostering an inclusive workplace. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, experience, business needs, and the candidate’s ability to perform the responsibilities of the position.