Director of Purchasing-supply chain
Confidential Company, Detroit, MI, United States
A U.S.-headquartered Tier 1 automotive supplier with manufacturing operations in the United States and Mexico is seeking a Director of Purchasing & Supply Chain to lead sourcing, supplier management, and supply chain strategy across its North American footprint.
This role requires a strategic leader and negotiator with the ability to identify, develop, and sustain long-term supplier partnerships , while also solving complex supply challenges and building a resilient, vertically integrated automotive supply chain .
Key Responsibilities
Leadership, Communication & Team Development
- Build, lead, and develop high-performing purchasing and supply chain teams across the USA and Mexico
- Establish clear expectations, accountability, and performance metrics for purchasing teams
- Coach and mentor managers and buyers to strengthen negotiation, analytical, and problem-solving capabilities
- Communicate supply chain strategy, priorities, and risks clearly to executive leadership and plant teams
- Foster a collaborative, results-driven culture across purchasing, operations, engineering, and finance
Purchasing, Negotiation & Strategic Supplier Partnerships
- Lead purchasing strategy for direct and indirect materials across multiple manufacturing plants
- Identify and develop strategic supplier partnerships to support long-term cost, quality, capacity, and technology objectives
- Establish long-term agreements and collaboration models with key suppliers
- Serve as the lead negotiator for strategic suppliers, including pricing, capacity commitments, and commercial terms
- Balance partnership-based sourcing with cost discipline and performance accountability
- Drive cost reduction, value engineering, and supplier optimization initiatives
Problem Solving, Resilience & Integration
- Lead cross-functional problem-solving for critical supply disruptions and escalations
- Develop and execute supply chain resilience strategies , including dual sourcing and contingency planning
- Evaluate and support vertical integration initiatives
- Lead intercompany make-vs-buy analysis , including cost modeling and strategic trade-off decisions
Supply Chain, Logistics & Trade Compliance
- Oversee supply chain planning, materials management, inventory strategy, and logistics
- Manage tariff exposure, duties, and trade-related costs across global supply lanes
- Ensure compliance with USMCA and IMMEX regulations
- Ensure accurate country-of-origin documentation and supplier traceability
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or related field
- 10+ years of purchasing and supply chain leadership experience in manufacturing
- Automotive industry experience required (Tier 1 preferred)
- Proven experience building long-term, partnership-based supplier relationships
- Demonstrated success managing global suppliers across North America, Asia, and Europe
- Strong negotiation, analytical, and structured problem-solving skills
- Proven ability to build and develop purchasing organizations
- Experience with supply chain resilience , vertical integration , and make-vs-buy strategies
- Experience managing tariffs, duties, and trade compliance
- Working knowledge of USMCA and IMMEX regulations
- Experience supporting manufacturing operations in the USA and Mexico
- ERP system experience
- Fluent in English; Spanish strongly preferred