Senior Manager, Purchasing - Business Services, Engineering Services & Benefits

Ford • Dearborn, MI

149d

About The Position

Strategic Leadership: Develop and execute comprehensive purchasing strategies for categories including Healthcare/Benefits, Professional and Engineering Services, Special Vehicle Programs, and Ford Performance services, ensuring alignment with overall company objectives and financial targets. Spend Management: Oversee and optimize annual spend totaling billions of dollars, identifying and implementing opportunities for cost reduction, value creation, and process improvements across assigned categories. Team Leadership & Development: Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of purchasing managers and buyers, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Supplier Relationship Management: Cultivate and maintain robust relationships with key strategic suppliers, driving performance, innovation, and long-term partnerships. Contract Negotiation: Lead and execute complex contract negotiations, ensuring favorable terms, conditions, and service level agreements that mitigate risk and deliver maximum value to Ford. Operational Efficiency: Implement and champion best practices in sourcing processes, supplier selection, and performance management to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Serve as a key interface and trusted advisor to various internal skill teams, including Human Resources, Product Development, Engineering, Finance, and Legal, ensuring purchasing strategies support their objectives. Risk Management & Resiliency: Proactively identify and mitigate supply chain risks, ensuring continuity of supply and building resilient supplier networks. Market Analysis: Stay abreast of industry trends, market conditions, and technological advancements within assigned categories to inform strategic decisions. Established and active employee resource groups

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in purchasing, procurement, or supply chain management, with a significant portion (5+ years of experience) in indirect purchasing, specifically including Business Services (e.g., consulting, legal, marketing), Engineering Services (e.g., R&D support, specialized technical services), and comprehensive Employee Benefits programs
• 5+ years of experience leading and managing purchasing teams.
• Demonstrated experience managing multi-billion dollar spend categories.
• Proven expertise in strategic sourcing, supplier management, and complex contract negotiations.
• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
• Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree (MBA or equivalent).
• Experience with purchasing in one or more of the following categories: Healthcare/Benefits, Professional and Engineering Services, and/or vehicle program.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and make data-driven decisions.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Proven ability to drive change and implement new processes effectively.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive purchasing strategies
• Oversee and optimize annual spend totaling billions of dollars
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team
• Cultivate and maintain robust relationships with key strategic suppliers
• Lead and execute complex contract negotiations
• Implement and champion best practices in sourcing processes
• Serve as a key interface and trusted advisor to various internal skill teams
• Proactively identify and mitigate supply chain risks
• Stay abreast of industry trends, market conditions, and technological advancements

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees