Buyer - Stampings & Structural Assemblies

Ford • Dearborn, MI

4d • $74,300 - $166,200 • Hybrid

About The Position

As a Buyer at Ford Motor Company, you will be part of the Global Supply Chain organization, leading commercial negotiations, managing supplier relationships, and optimizing costs. You will work with cross-functional teams to select supply partners that deliver the right product for the right vehicle at the right price, with outstanding quality and on-time performance. The role focuses on procuring steel and aluminum stamped parts and welded assemblies, with extensive interaction with Product Development, Manufacturing, Supplier Technical Assistance, and MP&L at all levels.

The position involves strategic sourcing, supplier strategy development, negotiation, cost planning, business plan development, and support for supply continuity. Buyers also contribute to process improvement, supplier relationship development, and timely delivery of required materials. The position is hybrid and requires onsite work four or more days per week, with ad hoc travel to supply partners as required.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Finance, Engineering, or another related field.
• At least 3 years of experience in procurement, preferably in the automotive industry.
• At least 3 years of experience with manufactured commodities and manufacturing processes.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical skills, including sourcing evaluations and business case studies.
• Strong negotiation skills, including creating leverage in offensive and defensive situations.
• Ability to understand commodity cost drivers, part cost breakdowns, and gaps to optimal cost.
• Ability to build relationships and foster collaboration with teammates, suppliers, and cross-functional team members in virtual and face-to-face environments.
• Ability to manage multiple responsibilities and complex projects, meet deadlines, and resolve open issues promptly.
• Ability to understand challenges facing the automotive industry and apply a strategic mindset.
• Persuasive communication skills to gain business-leader commitment to proposals, reports, and plans.
• Ability to interpret organizational needs and commercial strategies as input to global Category Strategies.
• Strong working knowledge of Purchasing policies, procedures, and systems.
• Legally authorized to work in the United States; employment eligibility verification is required at hire.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Finance, Engineering, or another related field.
• At least 5 years of experience in procurement, preferably in the automotive industry.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and basic procurement software.
• Experience with stampings and structural assemblies.
• Strong business and commercial acumen.
• Creativity, energy, and a commitment to learning and development to build commodity expertise.

Responsibilities

• Conduct sourcing activities to secure quality parts at the best material cost within program timing requirements.
• Understand upcoming program sourcing needs and key launch milestones.
• Align with the Category Manager on supplier bid lists, considering industry trends, technologies, and strategic supplier analysis.
• Develop supplier strategies with Category Manager input to source programs on target and on time while managing cost, quality, and risk.
• Present sourcing decisions and commercial settlements to executive leadership, explaining the rationale.
• Provide supply partners feedback on cost position relative to the market and build productive long-term relationships.
• Support quality initiatives by holding suppliers accountable and sourcing Q1 sites or helping targeted sites achieve Q1 status.
• Develop and execute negotiation strategies to deliver material efficiencies and minimize inflationary costs.
• Develop material cost roadmaps that meet corporate objectives and support long-term viability.
• Collaborate with the Category Manager, Global Commodity Team, and Product Development to understand supply-base footprint, financial health ratings, technologies, and trends.
• Work with Supply Chain and Finance to develop a holistic year-over-year commodity cost position.
• Set annual cost-savings goals by identifying commercial leverage, design efficiencies, and end-to-end supply-chain improvements.
• Lead supplier Quarterly Business Reviews and/or Supplier Quality/Cost/Delivery meetings.
• Support the Critical Supply Team and Supplier Technical Assistance when part quality issues or shortages arise.
• Work with Engineering to identify alternative technologies or supply sources to maintain product flow into Ford production facilities.
• Travel to supply partners as required.
• Challenge existing processes and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Work closely with others to meet deadlines and ensure required materials are delivered on time and with quality.
• Attend internal and external workshops with stakeholders to support ongoing process improvements.
• Hold working-level meetings with supply partners to resolve issues quickly and develop relationships.

Benefits

• Immediate medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage.
• Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, and subsidized backup child care.
• Family-building benefits, including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement and fertility treatments.
• Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases.
• Tuition assistance.
• Employee resource groups.
• Paid time off for individual and team community service.
• 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