Strategic Buyer - Raw Materials - Metals

Ford Motor • Dearborn, MI

6d • Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking a highly analytical, strategic, and collaborative Global Supply Manager / Strategic Buyer for Raw Materials Metals, this includes Steel & Aluminum. In this high-impact role, you will lead the end-to-end procurement strategy for automotive-grade streel & aluminum sheet (primarily 5xxx and 6xxx series alloys) used in Body-in-White (BIW), closures (hoods, doors, tailgates), and structural components across ICE, hybrid, and electric vehicle programs. You will manage a multi-million-dollar commodity portfolio, negotiate multi-year index-based contracts, and champion Ford’s industry-leading Closed-Loop Recycling program—which recovers and upcycles millions of pounds of aluminum scrap monthly. This position requires a deep understanding of global metal markets, excellent supplier relationship management, and the ability to collaborate across engineering, manufacturing, and finance teams.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Metallurgy, Materials Science, Engineering, or a highly analytical related field.
• 5+ years of strategic purchasing, procurement, or supply chain operations experience in automotive, aerospace, or heavy industrial manufacturing.
• Minimum of 3 years specifically managing metals commodities (aluminum sheet/extrusions or steel or resale programs), with a solid understanding of physical and financial metal trading markets.

Nice To Haves

• Proven track record of negotiating high-value, multi-year contracts with index-based pricing formulas.
• Proficiency in ERP systems (SAP preferred) and advanced data analysis tools (such as Microsoft Excel, Power BI).

Responsibilities

• Develop, execute, and continuously refine Ford’s global sourcing strategy for aluminum sheet to guarantee supply continuity, optimize total cost of ownership (TCO), and support new vehicle program launches.
• Lead complex RFIs/RFQs, evaluate supplier proposals, and negotiate conversion costs, tooling, and commercial terms with major global aluminum mills.
• Draft and execute robust, long-term supply agreements and formula-driven contracts that protect Ford against supply disruptions and market volatility.
• Monitor and analyze global metal market trends, including LME (London Metal Exchange) or CME pricing, physical premiums (e.g., US Midwest Premium), and energy surcharges.
• Collaborate with corporate treasury and finance teams to implement hedging and price-mitigation strategies.
• Monitor global trade policies, tariffs (e.g., Section 232), USMCA regional value content requirements, and global logistics bottlenecks to proactively mitigate supply chain risks.
• Manage and optimize Ford’s closed-loop recycling program in partnership with stamping plants (e.g., Dearborn Stamping) and aluminum suppliers to ensure scrap metal is efficiently segregated, returned, and re-melted into automotive-grade sheet.
• Collaborate closely with Product Development, Advanced Materials Engineering, and Quality teams to validate new material grades, optimize blanking/nesting designs, and ensure suppliers meet strict automotive quality standards.
• Work alongside Production Planning and Logistics to align mill capacity with Ford’s assembly plant build schedules, proactively resolving supply constraints or capacity bottlenecks.
• Own the relationship with global aluminum suppliers.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to cost performance, quality, delivery, and sustainability.
• Identify and drive technical and commercial cost-reduction opportunities (e.g., material substitution, gauge optimization, scrap reduction).

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