Senior Buyer - Fasteners & Exterior Commodities

Ford • Dearborn, MI

10d • Hybrid

About The Position

This Senior Buyer role focuses on executing specific tasks for Fasteners and other Strategic Exterior Commodities. This can include supply chain strategy, contributing to cost optimization, strategic supplier relationship management, and overall supply chain efficiency. The successful candidate will be a catalyst for broader supply chain transformation, driving innovation and acting as a role model and trendsetter. This requires resilience, strong business acumen, a proactive approach to negotiations, and a "play-to-win" attitude.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree
• 3+ years of experience in procurement, preferably within the Automotive industry
• 3+ years of manufactured commodities and manufacturing processes experience
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and basic procurement software, with advanced proficiency in Excel and analytics

Nice To Haves

• Master’s Degree
• 5+ years of experience in procurement, preferably within the Automotive industry
• Experience with steel component commodities, steel indexing, or other raw material impacts and negotiations
• Strong business and commercial acumen and excellent written and verbal abilities.
• Ability to build solid relationships with teammates, suppliers, and cross-functional team members by fostering teamwork and collaboration in a virtual and face-to-face environment.
• Proficient with juggling multiple responsibilities simultaneously, staying focused on deadlines, handling complex projects efficiently, and solving open issues in a timely manner.
• Strong analytical skills (sourcing evaluations, business case studies).
• Strong negotiation skills (creating leverage in both offensive and defensive situations).
• Cost analytics (understand commodity cost drivers, part cost breakdowns, gap to optimal cost).
• Strategic mindset and the ability to understand current challenges facing the automotive industry.
• Possess creativity, energy and pursuit of learning and development to drive commodity expertise.
• Persuasive and convincing communication skills (e.g., proposals, reports, plans) to secure commitment from business leaders.
• Ability to interpret organizational needs and commercial strategies as input into global Category Strategies.
• Strong working knowledge of Purchasing policies, procedures, and systems.

Responsibilities

• Conduct appropriate sourcing activities that deliver a quality part at the best material cost to Ford Motor Company within the program timing requirements.
• Understand upcoming program sourcing and key milestones in support of launch.
• Align with the Category Manager on the supplier bid list, considering industry trends, technologies, and strategic supplier analysis.
• Develop supplier strategies based on Category Manager input, allowing team to source programs at target, on time while managing cost, quality and risk.
• Possess effective presentation skills to executive leadership to demonstrate the “why” behind a particular sourcing decision.
• Provide feedback to valued supply partners on cost position relative to market and build effective long-term, productive relationships.
• Support Quality initiatives by holding suppliers accountable and sourcing Q1 sites or achieving Q1 sites where targeted/aligned.
• Develop and successfully execute negotiations strategies to deliver material efficiencies (TVM) and minimize inflationary costs, which requires developing deeper understanding of cost drivers and levers.
• Develop material cost roadmaps that deliver corporate objectives and ensure long-term viability.
• Work with the strategic Category Manager, the Global Commodity Team, and Product Development to understand the latest supply base footprint, financial health ratings, technologies, and trends.
• Work directly with Supply Chain and the Finance organization to develop a holistic year-over-year commodity cost position.
• Understand and achieve cost savings goals on an annual basis by identifying, negotiating and implementing cost reductions based on either pure commercial leverage or design efficiencies and end-to-end supply chain improvements.
• Possess effective presentation skills to executive leadership to demonstrate the “Why” behind a particular commercial settlement and outlook.
• Lead supplier Quarterly Business Reviews and/or Supplier Quality/Cost/Delivery meetings.
• Provide support to the Critical Supply Team and Supplier Technical Assistance where part quality and shortages become prevalent.
• Work with engineering to identify alternative technologies or sources of supply to maintain a consistent flow of product into Ford production facilities.
• Ad hoc travel as required to supply partners or internal process partners.
• Be a leader - look at all existing processes and challenge if improvements can be made, regardless of scale.
• Accountable to work closely with others to meet deadlines with excellence; drive others to deliver required materials on time and with quality.
• Attend internal and external workshops with key stakeholders for continued process improvements.
• Hold effective working-level meetings with Supply partners for fast issue closure and relationship development.

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: Senior