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Advanced Purchasing Specialist
Dana
Maumee, OH, USA
Posted on Jan 8, 2026
Job Purpose
The Advanced Purchasing Specialist is responsible for managing the purchased material BOM’s for OEM inquiries. The primary objective is to confirm that Best in Class cost inputs are incorporated into the Sales Inquiry System. This role includes the coordination of Request for Quote (RFQ) activities with the respective buyer(s) to ensure issuance to the preferred suppliers, and costs are provided back to the Cost Estimating group on time. Additionally, the Advanced Purchasing Specialist will drive collaboration between Purchasing, Cost Engineering, OE Program Managers, Engineering, Business Development, and other disciplines to arrive at the best total cost submissions and overall program launch timing.
This role will also be responsible for maintaining/creating a database of various commodities to enhance the cost estimation process.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
- Successful coordination of the required program activities to assure the preferred suppliers are selected for pre-launch collaboration activities that will meet Stage Gate “0” timing requirements.
- Liaise with Purchasing, Engineering, Cost Engineering, Cost Estimating, and OE program management to assure the best suppliers are selected and assist in defining cost targets.
- Work cross region to understand cost and supply chains to ensure the best total cost is applied to new inquiries.
- Form and lead program teams to ensure development of a robust sourcing plan that will achieve cost targets to obtain new profitable business, addressing complexity reduction, supplier consolidation opportunities, and concurrent engineering.
- Plan, lead & conduct timely team meetings to review timing status, issue resolution, and regional coordination for purchased components.
- Communicate and present project cost status through reports and reviews at all levels.
- Work with Business Unit Program Managers to ensure that design, quality, financial, and cost targets of the Program are met by chosen suppliers and Dana Buyers/Commodity Managers.
- Identify and resolve project cost issues, elevating to management as appropriate for expedient resolution.
- Liaise with Business Unit/OE Program Management regarding purchasing issues on programs.
- Provide oversight and guidance for communication channels for significant program information & data.
- Ensure Dana financial authorization for procurement of Dana-funded and customer-funded supplier tooling (CPT/RFA approvals).
- Track purchased Bill of Materials proforma to budget. (Including tooling)
- Support pre-launch VA/VE initiatives where appropriate to drive cost out.
- Manage and track supplier timing for all program milestones related to the OE program.
Education and Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Manufacturing, or Finance required.
- Minimum 3 years of buying experience, including contract and program execution.
Skills and Competencies
- Extensive knowledge and understanding of sourcing processes and requirements.
- Demonstrated maturity and increased responsibilities over career.
- Expertise in utilizing and a general understanding of marketplace intelligence, including pricing indices, exchange rates, and geopolitical factors.
- Experience identifying, researching, and analyzing changing business trends, marketplace conditions, raw material price trends, changes in the labor market and competitive information.
- Proven excellent Customer & Supplier relationship management skills.
- Track record of process improvement and delivering results.
- Able to effectively interface with other disciplines in the organization to achieve results and drive performance.
- Ability to successfully function in a matrix style of management, managing a variety of cross-functional team members globally.
- Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
- Excellent organizational and follow-up skills; competent in problem-solving, team building, planning, and decision-making.
- Demonstrated ability to drive results.
- Manufacturing Experience preferred
- Must have demonstrated Project Management & leadership skills.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office and Project software. (Advance Excel & PowerPoint Skills is a must, MS Access is Preferred)
- Must have strong project and program management skills and experience in a global project delivery environment.
- Strong stakeholder management and negotiation skills.
- Highly collaborative and team-oriented approach to work.
Travel Requirements
- 10% travel and the ability to work non-traditional business hours to manage in a global environment.
- 90% of work requirements in Maumee, OH, World Headquarters