Buyer - Fasteners & Exterior Commodities

Buyer - Fasteners & Exterior Commodities 

We are the movers of the world and the makers of the future. We get up every day, roll up our sleeves and build a better world -- together. At Ford, we’re all a part of something bigger than ourselves. Are you ready to change the way the world moves?

 

In this position... 

This 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. 

What you'll do...

• Strategic Sourcing & Negotiation:

  • 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.

• Business Plan Development:

  • 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.

• Supply Continuity and Support

  • 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.

• Other Responsibilities:

  • 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.

 

You'll have...

• 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

 

Even better, you may have...

• 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.

 

You may not check every box, or your experience may look a little different from what we've outlined, but if you think you can bring value to Ford Motor Company, we encourage you to apply!

 

As an established global company, we offer the benefit of choice. You can choose what your Ford future will look like: will your story span the globe, or keep you close to home? Will your career be a deep dive into what you love, or a series of new teams and new skills? Will you be a leader, a changemaker, a technical expert, a culture builder…or all of the above? 

No matter what you choose, we offer a work life that works for you, including:

• 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. 

 

This position is a salary grade 7 and ranges from $84,480-141,360.

This position is a salary grade 8 and ranges from $96,720-162,120.

 

For more information on salary and benefits, click here: https://fordcareers.co/GSR

 

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.

 

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status or protected veteran status. In the United States, if you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability, please call 1-888-336-0660.

 

This position is hybrid. Candidates who are in commuting distance to a Ford hub location may be required to be onsite four or more days per week. 

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