Senior Buyer - Innovation Purchasing

Stellantis•Auburn Hills, MI

12h

About The Position

Are you passionate about innovation and new technologies? Do you enjoy engaging with experts, discovering breakthrough solutions, and playing a key role in transforming the automotive industry? Join us as a Senior Innovation Buyer and become a key player within STELLANTIS! At the heart of interactions with innovative suppliers and internal teams, this position offers you a unique opportunity to explore the latest technological advancements, build strategic relationships, and influence the Group’s innovation choices. You will have a direct impact on STELLANTIS' competitiveness by identifying and integrating cutting-edge solutions that make a difference in terms of brand image, customer services, quality, and cost. We are looking for a curious, autonomous, proactive and communicative professional with an appetite for very technical topics, capable of initiating constructive discussions and driving strategic projects. If you want to grow in a dynamic environment where every day is a new opportunity to learn and collaborate, this mission is for you!

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Business, Finance, or a related field
A minimum of five years of experience in purchasing, sourcing, or supply chain management, with demonstrated exposure to innovation, advanced technologies, or early‑phase program sourcing
Proven experience managing supplier selection and sourcing activities in early development phases (e.g., concept, pilot, pre‑RFQ)
Strong understanding of commercial negotiations and contractual frameworks
Experience working in cross‑functional environments, collaborating with Engineering, Advanced Research, Program Management, Finance, and Legal
Ability to manage supplier relationships across both established partners and emerging / non‑traditional suppliers (e.g., startups, niche technology providers)
Solid analytical skills with the ability to assess technical maturity, sourcing risk, cost implications, and scalability
Strong communication skills, capable of clearly presenting recommendations to senior leadership and cross‑functional governance forums

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree (MBA or technical discipline) or equivalent advanced experience
Direct experience supporting innovation sourcing processes (e.g., PRE‑RFQ, REC, pilot sourcing, fast‑track sourcing)
Demonstrated experience sourcing new technologies or immature solutions where technical risk, IP, and industrialization readiness must be assessed
Familiarity with intellectual property considerations, NDAs, joint development agreements, and innovation partnerships
Comfort operating at the strategic and transactional levels, from long‑term innovation roadmaps to day‑to‑day execution

Responsibilities

Know and make known within STELLANTIS, the innovations of the suppliers in:
Soliciting the panel's suppliers
Identifying new suppliers that can provide innovative solutions, through the participation to innovation events
Pilot and organize Supplier Innovation Days
Contribute to extend the Automotive Innovation Research Plan. Supplier proposals should ideally provide the Group with a competitive advantage.
Contribute to purchasing policy: ensure that innovation work is properly integrated into purchasing policies and anticipate in a concerted manner the potential entry of new innovative suppliers.
Pilot purchases in advance of an innovation project:
Manage the sourcing table to launch the RFQ and select the Supplier of the innovation,
Organize and guarantee the progress of projects in advance with suppliers,
Negotiate and contract commitments (studies, collaborations, prototypes) with suppliers in innovation
Develop a lasting relationship with innovative suppliers
Maintain a demanding relationship with strategic suppliers
Manages the negotiation and drafting of contracts, ensuring that any modifications made to the generic innovation contract are validated by the legal entity
Release the Purchase Order, trough the SAP system, managing the supplier code creation
Lead the STELLANTIS Purchasing Innovation process by:
Participating to the SFG monthly preparation rituals with the Purchasing Department (DMEM, DMCA, DMPT, DMBI),
Participant in monthly rituals with the TERE or ENG Clusters (SWX, BCI, PRS, FCEL)
Contributing to the achievement of the Innovation Rating for Business Review (MBR, PBR), in conjunction with TERE and the Champion concerned,
Participant in Innovation Steering Committees (CoPil) with concerned Suppliers,
Elaborating with TERE the necessary processes for the smooth running of the activity.