Category Implementation Buyer – Exhaust

Jobtailor; Minnesota; On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor in Dearborn is seeking an experienced Exhaust CI Buyer to lead strategic sourcing, manage key suppliers, and drive cost reduction across North America and IMG regions. You will coordinate with cross-functional teams to ensure quality, cost, and delivery targets are met across programs.

The successful candidate will have 5+ years in automotive procurement, a relevant degree, and strong negotiation and problem-solving skills, with hybrid work options (4 days in-office, 1 day remote).

Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor’s degree in related fields and 5+ years in direct automotive procurement and supply chain experience.
• Availability to work Hybrid (4 days in Dearborn & 1 day optional remote).
• Must have strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Desire to strengthen negotiation skills and fact-based problem solving.

Responsibilities

• Deliver QCDR improvement for top suppliers in the company.
• Lead high spend, high visibility commodities in North America and IMG regions.
• Implement exhaust category strategy including sourcing plans, negotiations, design changes, and financial risk identification.
• Interact with cross-functional teams to deliver objectives (quality, cost, delivery).
• Develop sourcing timing plans for upcoming program launches to enable cost negotiations and supplier onboarding deadlines.
• Deliver all requirements of the sourcing process through the new I-ERP system.
• Lead supplier negotiations to support 2026 priorities and develop an Action Plan to achieve objectives.
• Be a team player, adapt to dynamic challenges, and deliver plans with confidence.

Skills

Great communication

Collaboration skills

Negotiation skills

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Procurement, Business Administration or Finance

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Job description

• Be part of a team with three other experienced exhaust CI Buyers, all working together but each leading ownership over specific programs, suppliers, projects and/or regions, including:
• Deliver QCDR improvement for three of the top suppliers in the company
• High spend, high visibility commodities in North America and IMG regions
• Implement exhaust category strategy: detail plans for strategic sourcing, negotiating, supporting design changes, and identify financial risks
• Interact and create strong relationship with cross functional teams to deliver common objectives (quality, cost, delivery)
• Develop sourcing timing plan for all upcoming program launches in order to allow for cost negotiations and strategic sourcing before meeting supplier on board deadlines and meeting program cost targets
• Deliver all requirements of the sourcing process through new I-ERP system
• Lead supplier negotiations to support 2026 priorities (TVM cost reduction commitments, end-to-end waste elimination ideas, inflation mitigation, supply continuity) and develop Action Plan to achieve those objectives
• Be a team player, adapt to dynamic challenges, problem solve and deliver plans with confidence

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Procurement, Business Administration or Finance OR Bachelor's degree in Engineering
• 5+ years of experience in direct automotive procurement and supply chain experience
• Availability to work Hybrid (4 days in Dearborn & 1 day optional remote)
• Great communication and collaboration skills
• Desire to strengthen negotiation skills and fact-based problem solving