Buyer - Curtain and Side Airbags

Ford Ford · Auto · Dearborn, MI +1 · Supply Chain

The Buyer - Curtain and Side Airbags role at Ford is responsible for managing the cost, quality, and material efficiencies of safety-critical airbags throughout their program lifetime. This involves understanding and setting cost savings goals, analyzing market supply/demand, conducting design reviews for cost reduction, executing sourcing strategies, managing supplier relationships, and developing material cost roadmaps. The role requires a strategic buying background in the automotive domain, strong analytical and negotiation skills, and the ability to influence senior executives.

What you'd actually do

  1. Manage cost, quality, and material efficiencies (Total Value Management) over program lifetime.
  2. Understand and set cost savings goals annually to identify pure commercial leverage versus design efficiencies and end-to-end supply chain improvements.
  3. Work with the strategic Category Manager and Product Development to understand latest supply base footprint, financial health ratings, technologies, and trends.
  4. Analyze market supply/demand balances and deficit risks.
  5. Conduct regular design reviews with engineering to identify cost reduction opportunities.

Skills

Required

  • Bachelor's degree in business or similar
  • 3+ years strategic buying experience in an automotive domain
  • Strong analytical skills
  • Big Picture / Strategic Mindset
  • Creative thinker and problem solver
  • Strong negotiation skills
  • Persuasive and convincing communication skills

Nice to have

  • Master's degree in business or similar
  • Proficiency in Purchasing systems and procedures
  • Extremely high energy with a relentless pursuit of learning and development to drive commodity expertise
  • Ability to influence senior executives to drive decision-making
  • Ability to develop and successfully execute negotiations strategy
  • Familiarity with manufacturing processes a plus

What the JD emphasized

  • Must be data driven and able to analyze multiple potential scenarios / business plans
  • Must be able to drive the future of the commodity
  • Must be a self-starter/ motivated and be able to work both independently as well as in a team setting