Purchasing

Purchasing Specialist (Japanese Bilingual) – Bremen, GA

Salary Range: $70k-$110k DOE

Position Summary

The Purchasing Specialist will coordinate and manage activities related to the purchasing and distribution of materials, equipment, and supplies within a manufacturing facility. This role supports both domestic and global sourcing initiatives and contributes to new product launches, cost reduction efforts, and supplier performance management.

Key Responsibilities

• Estimate material costs by reviewing market pricing and supplier costs
• Manage negotiation and implementation of technical modifications
• Oversee event ordering activities, including RFQ, negotiation, ordering, and delivery expediting
• Support domestic and global sourcing for multiple brands
• Participate in and support new product launches
• Develop and execute cost reduction programs and maintain accountability for direct material costs
• Lead project management for purchasing activity (budget, timing, accountability) across multiple concurrent product development programs
• Ensure product launches meet program targets for quality, cost, and timing
• Hold suppliers accountable to commitments and deliverables; escalate issues as necessary
• Identify new cost-effective materials, parts, and products for current and future programs
• Ensure supplier documentation is complete, including required agreements, assessments, and quality documentation
• Apply required information to the Local Procurement Technical Assessment and coordinate meetings when needed
• Support other departments as required
• Maintain strong supplier relationships, viewing suppliers as long-term partners

Required Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
• Minimum 3–5 years of procurement experience in a manufacturing environment
• Experience with negotiation, sourcing, bidding, contracting, supplier performance management, and risk management
• Strong understanding of procurement processes and supply chain operations

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with purchasing systems (e.g., SAP) and MRP systems (e.g., JD Edwards EnterpriseOne)
• Japanese-English bilingual proficiency (business level or higher strongly preferred)
• Experience working in multicultural environments
• Knowledge of international trade practices
• Experience with 6S/5S methodologies
• Lean Six Sigma certification (belt holder)

Work Environment

This role is based in a manufacturing facility environment. The candidate must be willing to work any shift and overtime as needed, depending on production demands and operational requirements.