Senior Buyer – Metal Components (Automotive) Job Description Posted Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at 4:00 AM

Flex-N-Gate is a leading manufacturer and supplier of components for the automotive industry, recently ranked 10th of the 150 Top North American Suppliers in “Automotive News.” A growing and vital company, Flex-N-Gate provides a great opportunity for hard-working and skilled individuals.

Summary The Senior Buyer – Metal Components is responsible for developing and executing sourcing strategies for metal parts and raw materials used in automotive manufacturing. This role manages supplier relationships, negotiates long-term agreements, ensures continuity of supply, and drives cost, quality, and delivery performance across various blanked, formed, welded, hot-upset, forged, machined and assembled metal components.

The position requires strong technical understanding of metals, components, global supply markets, and automotive quality and compliance standards, along with proven commercial negotiation expertise.

Job Duties

Develop and execute sourcing strategies for metal components and raw materials (e.g., steel, aluminum, flat rolled, long products,)

Identify, evaluate, and onboard suppliers capable of meeting automotive quality, capacity, and cost requirements

Lead supplier RFQs/RFPs, benchmarking, and cost modeling

Establish and manage long-term supply agreements and pricing structures

Monitor supplier financial health, capacity, and geopolitical risk exposure

Lead commercial negotiations including pricing, tooling, payment terms, cost recoveries, and capacity commitments





Drive year-over-year cost improvement initiatives while maintaining quality and supply continuity

Analyze commodity trends, surcharges, and indices; manage price adjustment mechanisms

Support should-cost and value engineering initiatives in collaboration with engineering and manufacturing teams

Execute purchase orders and manage supplier deliveries to support production schedules

Resolve supplier performance issues including quality, delivery, and cost variances

Support production launches and engineering changes related to metal components

Ensure compliance with internal procurement policies and audit requirements

Work closely with Engineering, Quality, Operations, Finance, and Program Management teams

Support APQP, PPAP, and launch readiness activities

Participate in make-versus-buy and supplier consolidation decisions

Provide procurement input during new product development and change management processes

Ensure suppliers comply with automotive standards (e.g., IATF 16949, ISO 9001)

Support regulatory and sustainability requirements (e.g., resiliency, conflict minerals, ESG initiatives)

Drive risk mitigation plans for supply disruptions and capacity constraints





Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or a related field

Professional certifications (e.g., CPSM, SCMP, CPM) are an asset

8+ years of purchasing or strategic sourcing experience in an automotive or manufacturing environment

Demonstrated experience sourcing metal components such as blanked, formed, welded, hot-upset, forged, machined and assembled parts

Proven track record of successful supplier negotiations and cost reduction initiatives

Experience working with Tier 1 and Tier 2 automotive suppliers

Robust knowledge of metal manufacturing processes and material cost drivers

Advanced negotiation, contract management, and analytical skills

Proficiency in ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Excel

Ability to interpret drawings, specifications, and bills of materials

Strong problem-solving and risk management capabilities

What We Offer

Medical, dental, prescription, vision, life and disability insurance

Extensive safety training, new hire orientation, continuous learning and development programs and tuition reimbursement

Paid holidays and vacation time

What do our employees have to say? “It engages you professionally, and provides learning opportunities.” "Lots of growth opportunity." "The company’s young enough to be exciting, but old enough to be stable." "Not just a job—a great place to work!"

Flex-N-Gate is an equal opportunity employer.Ontario Human Rights Code and AODA.

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📌 Senior Buyer – Metal Components (Automotive) (Winnipeg)
🏢 Flex-N-Gate
📍 Winnipeg