Buyer, Suspension Parts

Ford Motor Company • Dearborn, MI

1d • $86,600 - $166,200 • Hybrid

About The Position

In this position, you'll be responsible for developing and executing sourcing strategies for assigned commodities and programs. This role manages Total Value Management throughout the program lifecycle, balancing cost, quality, capacity, timing, and supply-chain requirements. The buyer works cross-functionally with Engineering, Product Development, Category Management, Finance, Manufacturing, Quality, and suppliers to deliver competitive sourcing solutions and measurable commercial value.

Requirements

• 3+ years of strategic purchasing/buying experience, preferably in automotive or a manufacturing environment.
• 1+ years of experience purchasing production components, including exposure to suspension parts such as bushings or ball joints.
• Experience with sourcing, supplier negotiations, commercial analysis, or commodity management.
• Proficiency in purchasing systems, processes, and procedures with strong analytical and data-driven decision-making skills.
• Strong negotiation and influencing skills, with the ability to influence senior leaders and drive business decisions.
• Strategic, big-picture mindset with strong problem-solving skills and the ability to evaluate multiple scenarios and business plans.
• Self-starter with strong communication skills, high energy, and a demonstrated commitment to continuous learning and developing commodity expertise.

Nice To Haves

• 5+ years of strategic purchasing/buying experience, preferably in automotive or a manufacturing environment.
• 3+ years of experience purchasing production components, including exposure to suspension parts such as bushings or ball joints.
• Familiarity with manufacturing processes, supplier operations, cost structures, and value engineering.

Responsibilities

• Manage cost, quality, and material efficiency through TVM and establish annual cost-saving targets across commercial, design, manufacturing, and supply-chain opportunities.
• Execute the buying and sourcing strategy for assigned commodities, including supplier selection, negotiations, RFx events, tactical sourcing, spot buys, and contract administration.
• Develop material cost roadmaps and sourcing strategies that balance cost, capacity, quality, timing, and business requirements.
• Analyze market conditions, supply/demand, supplier capacity, financial health, and industry trends to identify risks, opportunities, and sourcing actions.
• Own program-specific sourcing Point of View (POV) and provide data-driven recommendations to support business decisions.
• Partner with Engineering and Product Development to identify cost reduction, design efficiency, manufacturability, and commercial opportunities.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships while developing negotiation strategies that create leverage and deliver measurable value.
• Challenge existing processes and sourcing assumptions to drive continuous improvement, supplier performance, and end-to-end supply-chain efficiencies.

Benefits

• Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
• Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care and more
• Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more
• Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases
• Tuition assistance
• Established and active employee resource groups
• Paid time off for individual and team community service
• A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day
• Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed