PURCHASING ENGINEER - SOURCING

ELECTROLUX MIDEA APPLIANCE MANUFACT • Full-time • Anderson, South Carolina, United States • $65,000 - $80,000 / year • 1w ago

Benefits:

401(k)
401(k) matching
Dental insurance
Health insurance
Paid time off
Training & development
Vision insurance

PURCHASING ENGINEER – SOURCING

Electrolux Midea Appliance Manufacturing (EMAM)

Location: Anderson, South Carolina | Work Arrangement: On-Site

Position Summary

Electrolux Midea Appliance Manufacturing (EMAM) is seeking a Purchasing Engineer – Sourcing to support the development, classification, and strategic sourcing of core components and raw materials for washing machines, including inverter motors, electronic control boards, inner and outer drum molds, steel plates, plastic pellets, and rubber components.

This position combines supplier development, business negotiations, cost management, supplier lifecycle management, and technical collaboration to establish and maintain a competitive, reliable supply base. The Purchasing Engineer works closely with Research and Development (R&D), Quality, Manufacturing, and Planning to ensure material quality, cost competitiveness, and timely delivery. Through strategic sourcing, total cost of ownership (TCO) optimization, and value analysis/value engineering (VAVE), this position contributes to product competitiveness and supply chain resilience.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities

Strategic Sourcing and Supplier Development

Develop, evaluate, and introduce competitive domestic and international suppliers in alignment with product-line strategies for front-load washing machines, top-load washing machines, and dryers.Establish and optimize supplier resources for drive systems, washing control systems, structural components, and other core materials.Conduct supplier inquiries, competitive bidding, quotation analysis, price comparisons, and commercial negotiations.Negotiate procurement contracts, pricing agreements, and supplier framework agreements.Support local supplier development and supplier resource planning to meet manufacturing and operational requirements.

Cost Management and Total Cost Optimization

Collaborate with R&D and Quality Engineering teams to identify and implement technical cost-reduction opportunities through VAVE initiatives.Promote component standardization, reduce material complexity, and optimize total cost of ownership.Monitor purchase price variance (PPV) and support achievement of annual cost-reduction objectives.Evaluate material pricing, processing costs, tooling investments, and mold cost allocation to support informed sourcing decisions.

Mold and Project Procurement Management

Manage procurement and supplier development activities for large injection molds and stamping molds used in washing machine manufacturing.Monitor mold asset budgets, tooling production schedules, development milestones, and lifecycle management.Participate in New Product Introduction (NPI) activities to ensure procurement readiness for product launches.Coordinate mold development, prototype production, and Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) activities to support timely transitions into mass production.

Supplier Performance and Risk Management

Lead or coordinate quarterly and annual supplier business reviews.Evaluate supplier performance across quality, cost, delivery, technology, and service (QCDTS) measures.Identify supply chain vulnerabilities, including single-source dependencies and critical material shortages.Develop second-source diversification strategies, supplier contingency plans, and risk-mitigation measures.Coordinate cross-functional responses to supplier disruptions to minimize production interruptions.

Procurement Compliance and Sustainability

Ensure procurement activities comply with company internal controls, purchasing procedures, and business ethics standards.Support compliance with applicable environmental and material regulations, including RoHS and REACH where relevant.Maintain transparency, accuracy, and appropriate documentation throughout supplier selection, negotiation, and procurement activities.Support responsible sourcing and supplier social responsibility requirements.

Cross-Functional and Global Collaboration

Coordinate with Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Planning, and other stakeholders to align purchasing decisions with technical and operational requirements.Communicate with domestic and international suppliers and multinational headquarters teams regarding commercial, technical, and supply chain matters.Balance headquarters procurement strategies with local manufacturing requirements in a matrix organizational structure.Use procurement systems and analytical tools to monitor supplier performance, material costs, and sourcing opportunities.

Required Qualifications

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher in Mechanical Design, Electronic Information, Materials Engineering, Supply Chain Management, International Trade, or a related field.

Professional Experience

Three to five years of purchasing engineering, strategic sourcing, or related procurement experience within large home appliance manufacturing, automotive components, or large-scale electronics manufacturing.Experience with supplier negotiations, material cost evaluation, sourcing activities, and supplier relationship management.Working knowledge of manufacturing supply chains and experience in at least one commodity category: motors, electronic control boards or PCBs; sheet metal, precision hardware, stamping molds or injection molds; or plastic resins/pellets, rubber components or related raw materials.Knowledge of basic manufacturing cost accounting, including material costs, processing fees, and tooling or mold cost allocation.

Technical and Systems Knowledge

Proficiency with SAP, Oracle, or comparable enterprise resource planning (ERP) procurement systems.Strong data analysis capabilities using Microsoft Excel, Power BI, or related business intelligence tools.Ability to interpret engineering drawings, technical specifications, and manufacturing process documentation.Understanding of relevant manufacturing processes, including injection molding, deep drawing, and dynamic balancing.

Communication and Business Skills

Strong commercial negotiation, supplier relationship management, and problem-solving abilities.Ability to conduct professional business negotiations and written communications with domestic and international suppliers.Effective communication and collaboration skills across engineering, procurement, quality, manufacturing, and leadership functions.Ability to evaluate commodity market trends, material pricing, and exchange rate fluctuations.Ability to manage competing priorities, respond to urgent supply chain issues, and operate effectively within a matrix organization.

Preferred Qualifications

Prior sourcing or purchasing experience within large home appliance manufacturing, particularly washing machines, refrigerators, or air conditioners.Experience in an R&D, Product Engineering (PE), or Electrical Engineering (EE) function followed by a transition into procurement engineering.Extensive experience procuring large injection molds or stamping molds and managing associated development projects.Professional supply chain certifications, including CPIM, CSCP, or CPSM.Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

Core Competencies

Business Negotiation: Ability to negotiate favorable commercial terms for complex tooling assets, engineered components, and bulk material agreements.Technical Collaboration: Ability to engage engineering stakeholders and translate technical requirements into effective procurement strategies.Analytical Decision-Making: Ability to evaluate pricing trends, commodity markets, sourcing risks, and financial data to support procurement decisions.Crisis Management: Ability to coordinate timely responses to unexpected supply chain disruptions and critical material shortages.Cross-Cultural Collaboration: Ability to work effectively with global suppliers, multinational teams, and corporate leadership.Adaptability: Ability to manage changing business priorities and balance global procurement objectives with local manufacturing needs.

Physical Requirements

The physical requirements described below represent activities that may be necessary to perform the essential functions of this position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Ability to work at a computer workstation and use standard office equipment for extended periods.Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues, suppliers, and business partners through written, verbal, and electronic means.Ability to access and navigate office, manufacturing, warehouse, and supplier environments as required for job-related activities.Ability to review electronic and printed documents, engineering drawings, supplier quotations, and technical specifications.Ability to participate in meetings, supplier assessments, and manufacturing floor observations, with reasonable accommodation where applicable.

Specific physical demands will depend on assigned activities, the work environment, and operational needs. Reasonable accommodations will be considered in accordance with applicable law.

Work Environment and Conditions

Work is primarily performed in an office environment within a manufacturing facility.Periodic access to manufacturing floors, tooling areas, warehouses, and supplier facilities may be required.Manufacturing environments may involve operating machinery, industrial noise, moving equipment, and other normal production-related conditions.Employees must follow applicable workplace safety procedures and use required personal protective equipment when entering designated manufacturing areas.Work may involve collaboration across different time zones and interaction with domestic and international stakeholders.Business travel to supplier locations or other company facilities may be required based on operational needs.Occasional schedule flexibility may be necessary to address supplier issues, project deadlines, or production-related requirements.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Reasonable Accommodation

EMAM is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as amended, and other applicable federal and state laws.

Qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodations may be available to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities during the application process and in the performance of essential job functions, unless doing so would impose an undue hardship under applicable law. Individuals requiring reasonable accommodation during the hiring process may contact the Human Resources department.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Electrolux Midea Appliance Manufacturing (EMAM) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. EMAM is committed to providing a workplace free from unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment based on their qualifications and the requirements of the position.

Job Description Disclaimer

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It is not intended to represent an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, qualifications, or working conditions. Job responsibilities may evolve based on operational requirements and business needs. Any changes to essential functions or qualifications will be administered in accordance with applicable law, including reasonable accommodation obligations. This document does not create an employment contract or guarantee employment for any specific duration.

Electrolux-Midea Appliance Manufacturing | Job Description