Buyer, Transportation

Ford • Dearborn, MI

17h • $84,480 - $162,120 • Hybrid

About The Position

We made history and now we work to transform the future – for our customers, our communities and our families. You'll see your work on the road every day, helping people move freely and pursue their dreams. At Ford, you can build more than vehicles. Come build what matters.
What you'll do...
Strategic Sourcing & Negotiation Leadership: Lead the comprehensive annual bid and tender process for North American ocean freight, developing and executing robust sourcing strategies.
Conduct in-depth market analysis and leverage benchmarking tools, such as Xeneta, to demonstrate and ensure contract competitiveness and identify cost optimization opportunities.
Coordinate Request for Quotations (RFQs) and manage sourcing activities for market tests of ad-hoc ocean container lanes.
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Global Alignment: Collaborate closely with the global lead buyer to integrate regional changes and ensure alignment with global ocean transportation terms and strategies.
Partner cross-functionally with internal stakeholders, including Material Planning & Logistics (MP&L) and the Ford Customer Service Division (FCSD), to proactively address and resolve operational and commercial challenges.
Contract & Data Management: Maintain meticulous records and execute all updates to contracted ocean lanes, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
Manage and update the purchasing maximum charge document, providing essential guidance for the invoicing process.
Invoice Oversight & Dispute Resolution: Oversee the invoice processing team, offering expert support and guidance in resolving complex commercial issues related to various ocean container invoices, often utilizing systems like CassPort.
Work in close collaboration with the operations invoicing team to efficiently resolve invoice disputes, safeguarding financial accuracy.
Process Improvement & Strategic Initiatives: Proactively identify opportunities for process improvements and system enhancements within ocean freight procurement, driving efficiency and effectiveness.
Lead and actively contribute to strategic initiatives, such as Business Unit Reviews, to advance overall supply chain objectives and performance.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Logistics, or related field.
• 3+ years of experience in sourcing, purchasing and procurement
• 3+ years of experience working on process improvement
• 3+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, negotiation, and supplier relationship management
• Proven track record of leading large-scale, complex negotiations and managing strategic supplier relationships
• Ability to manage a high-volume workload in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels
• Proficiency with Excel

Nice To Haves

• Transportation and/or automotive experience
• 5+ years supply chain management

Responsibilities

• Lead the comprehensive annual bid and tender process for North American ocean freight, developing and executing robust sourcing strategies.
• Conduct in-depth market analysis and leverage benchmarking tools, such as Xeneta, to demonstrate and ensure contract competitiveness and identify cost optimization opportunities.
• Coordinate Request for Quotations (RFQs) and manage sourcing activities for market tests of ad-hoc ocean container lanes.
• Collaborate closely with the global lead buyer to integrate regional changes and ensure alignment with global ocean transportation terms and strategies.
• Partner cross-functionally with internal stakeholders, including Material Planning & Logistics (MP&L) and the Ford Customer Service Division (FCSD), to proactively address and resolve operational and commercial challenges.
• Maintain meticulous records and execute all updates to contracted ocean lanes, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Manage and update the purchasing maximum charge document, providing essential guidance for the invoicing process.
• Oversee the invoice processing team, offering expert support and guidance in resolving complex commercial issues related to various ocean container invoices, often utilizing systems like CassPort.
• Work in close collaboration with the operations invoicing team to efficiently resolve invoice disputes, safeguarding financial accuracy.
• Proactively identify opportunities for process improvements and system enhancements within ocean freight procurement, driving efficiency and effectiveness.
• Lead and actively contribute to strategic initiatives, such as Business Unit Reviews, to advance overall supply chain objectives and performance.

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
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees