Director of Purchasing

The Director Purchasing North America is a strategic and operational leader responsible for overseeing all aspects of procurement and supplier management for a Tier 1 automotive supplier. This includes sourcing, supplier negotiations, cost reduction strategies, supply chain risk management, and ensuring the seamless delivery of direct and indirect materials to support manufacturing and business operations. The role plays a key part in driving profitability, innovation, and competitive advantage through a world-class purchasing function.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Duties might be performed personally or through subordinate staff. Other duties may be assigned.

• Strategic Leadership:
• Develop and execute the global purchasing strategy aligned with corporate goals and automotive OEM customer expectations.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives that drive cost savings, supplier innovation, and total cost of ownership improvements.
• Supplier Management:
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with key suppliers, drive supplier performance and continuous improvement in both Mexico and the United States.
• Evaluate, select, and manage global and regional suppliers to ensure quality, delivery, cost, and compliance with industry standards (IATF 16949, ISO 14001, etc.).
• Cost Control & Negotiation:
• Lead contract negotiations, cost analysis, and value engineering to meet annual cost reduction targets.
• Manage commodity strategies, including raw material tracking and hedging when necessary.
• Team Leadership:
• Lead and develop a high-performing global purchasing team, including commodity managers, buyers, and supplier quality engineers.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Operational Excellence:
• Oversee procurement systems and processes to ensure accuracy, transparency, and efficiency (e.g., SAP, Oracle).
• Collaborate with engineering, quality, and manufacturing to support new program launches and ensure material readiness.
• Risk Management:
• Proactively manage supply chain risks related to geopolitical instability, tariffs, logistics constraints, and supplier insolvency.
• Lead crisis management efforts during disruptions to minimize impact on production.
• Sustainability & Compliance:
• Ensure all procurement activities meet regulatory and ethical standards, including ESG initiatives and responsible sourcing (e.g., conflict minerals, labor practices).
• Drive sustainability in supplier operations and packaging initiatives.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Manage subordinate managers who supervise employees in the Purchasing Department. Is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of staff. Directly supervise non-supervisory employees. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

KEY COMPETENCIES

To perform this job successfully, an individual must demonstrate the following competencies in his or her way of working:

• Strategic Thinking
• Negotiation & Influence
• Financial Acumen
• Supplier Relationship Management
• Change Management
• Global Sourcing Expertise
• Automotive Industry Knowledge
• Risk Mitigation

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree. Related master’s degree. Ten plus years of experience in Purchasing with equal or more experience in these disciplines working in a tier 1 automotive business.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the public. Bi-lingual in both English and Spanish in order to effectively communicate with suppliers in both countries.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to use appropriate mathematical applications to calculate metrics, commodity costs, product quotations and budgets.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

COMPUTER SKILLS

To perform this job successfully, an individual should be able to use Microsoft applications.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perfume the functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk and to sit; use hands to manipulate objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and to talk and hear. The employee must occasionally lift up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of what an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This employee regularly works in an office environment. Occasionally the employee works in the manufacturing area around moving mechanical equipment and is occasionally exposed to chemicals used in the production environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

This position is required to travel frequently, both domestic and international, by plane, train and automobile. Travel demand is moderate to high.