Purchasing Lead

Skyelia•Dearborn, MI

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Purchasing Lead maintains and enhances the company’s strategic sourcing function, managing end-to-end sourcing activities for software, services, and products. The role primarily supports digital marketing and advertising, technology, and general business activities for a growing digital marketing company in the automotive retail space. It continually improves sourcing strategies and policies to secure high-quality products and services, favorable commercial terms, cost avoidance, and risk mitigation while supporting company growth and business objectives. The position provides due diligence, contract and supplier management, and supplier operations support in collaboration with Security and Privacy teams, including onsite supplier assessments. This work includes reviewing supplier capabilities, capacity, and historical performance. The role also applies financial analysis, particularly Total Cost of Ownership, to assess and explain price drivers and business costs to business owners, Finance, and Strategic Sourcing, and documents negotiated cost savings. The Purchasing Lead collaborates extensively across functions, especially with Legal, to finalize contracts with favorable terms and conditions. The role presents concise sourcing strategies, supplier recommendations, financial analyses, negotiations, and risks to VP-level leaders and above. This is a hybrid position based in Dearborn, Michigan, requiring work in the office Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

Requirements

At least 5 years in strategic sourcing involving marketing and IT-related spend, such as advertising, media, market research or analytics, PR, digital, web design, promotional materials, consulting, staff augmentation, software, or related services.
At least 5 years of contract negotiation experience.
At least 4 years of experience formulating strategies and driving initiatives.
At least 4 years of experience in digital media, advertising, and marketing industries.
At least 4 years of experience in information technology industries, particularly software, consulting, and staff augmentation.
Experience with ERP systems for purchasing or sourcing applications.
Fluency with AI-enabled tools and an understanding of their appropriate use, limitations, and application to job-related tasks.
Understanding of contractual terms and conditions and their organizational impact.
Ability to build credibility with executive-level stakeholders.
Demonstrated accomplishments in end-to-end sourcing responsibilities and deliverables.
Familiarity with contract management systems, ERP systems, and sourcing workflow tools; examples include Gatekeeper and NetSuite.
Ability to problem-solve and multitask while maintaining composure and attention to detail.
Follow-through mindset and commitment to closing the loop.
Positive approach to serving customers and providing exceptional customer service.
Good judgment, high ethics, and a professional image.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively with a positive, can-do attitude.
Drive to identify and pursue continuous-improvement opportunities as business needs change.
Strong organization, flexibility, and time-management skills, and ability to work in a dynamic, deadline-driven environment.
Exceptional interpersonal and business communication skills, including written, verbal, and listening skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Bachelor’s degree in business administration or a related area.

Nice To Haves

Developing or implementing sourcing methodology is strongly desired.
MBA and/or a degree in Finance is a plus.

Responsibilities

Enhance the sourcing function by providing education and promoting program adoption throughout the organization.
Develop and analyze program policies and procedures, implement new procedures, and interpret policies for business units engaging the sourcing team.
Improve sourcing strategies and events to deliver high-quality products and services while mitigating contract risks.
Create benchmarks for competitive rates and departmental performance, and initiate corrective actions when objectives fall short.
Monitor market conditions and adjust sourcing strategies accordingly.
Use AI-based tools and technologies to improve efficiency, accuracy, and work quality within the role’s responsibilities.
Manage assigned indirect-spend categories and deliver annual cost savings through reductions and avoidance in line with company goals.
Negotiate supplier contracts to secure favorable commercial terms and conditions.
Evaluate and recommend suppliers and provide supplier-selection guidance aligned with business and company objectives.
Use the contract management tool to track and respond to assigned contract matters.
Lead competitive bid events and make sourcing awards.
Negotiate and issue FordDirect contract agreements, including purchase-order terms and conditions.
Track invoices throughout the life of approved purchase orders as needed for Finance.
Review and approve single-source forms for purchases above the assigned threshold.
Support supplier assessments covering financial reviews, legal matters, and security or data-use issues associated with new or changing third-party business partners.
Develop and improve training content based on current team policies and processes.
Conduct onsite supplier assessments with Security and Privacy teams, including reviews of supplier capability, capacity, and historical performance.
Document cost savings achieved through negotiations.
Collaborate with Legal and other functions to finalize contracts and present sourcing strategies, recommendations, analyses, negotiations, and risks to VP-level leaders and above.