Category Lead, Plastic NA

Magna International Limited; Troy (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Magna Exteriors is seeking a Category Lead, Plastic NA to lead category strategy, supplier partnerships, and cross-functional initiatives across the North America region. You will drive cost reduction, total landed cost optimization, and strategic sourcing in a global purchasing team.

The role requires 8+ years in automotive/manufacturing with plastics knowledge, strong leadership, and the ability to influence across divisions.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary degree in purchasing or supply chain; MBA preferred.
• 8+ years in automotive/diversified manufacturing with plastics knowledge.
• 4+ years in mid/senior management with progression.
• Ability to lead in a large matrix organization and build relationships.
• Experience with OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers; cost reduction experience.
• Willingness to travel up to 25%, including international.

Responsibilities

• Create, implement and maintain category and supplier strategies.
• Develop ASL and execute RFIs/RFQs.
• Negotiate, award and maintain supplier pricing and agreements.
• Develop and present value-based, total landed cost analyses to council.
• Collaborate with divisions on strategic quoting and sourcing.
• Lead cross-functional teams to consolidate suppliers for better value.
• Ensure controls and best practices across divisions.
• Promote compliance and program execution processes.

Skills

Category management

Finance

International sourcing

Total landed cost

Make-vs-Buy

Cost modeling

Communication

Presentation skills

Education

Post‑secondary degree in Purchasing or Supply Chain

MBA preferred

Tools

Power BI

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job descriptions may display in multiple languages based on your language selection.

What We Offer

At Magna, you can expect an engaging and dynamic environment where you can help to develop industry‑leading automotive technologies. We invest in our employees, providing them with the support and resources they need to succeed. As a member of our global team, you can expect exciting, varied responsibilities as well as a wide range of development prospects. Because we believe that your career path should be as unique as you are.

Group Summary

The Magna Exteriors portfolio of products includes access systems such as liftgates, exterior trim, modular systems, front‑end modules including fascia, active aerodynamic systems and other lightweight structural components for automotive, commercial truck and other industrial markets.

Recognized globally as an innovator in all aspects of vehicle exteriors, Magna provides everything needed, from materials development and design through manufacturing and assembly, to help automakers create sleek, state‑of‑the‑art vehicles across the world.

Job Responsibilities

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Category Lead, Plastic NA reports to the Purchasing Director - North America and is responsible for key coordination, strategic sourcing and organizational leadership of assigned categories, while ensuring immediate and long‑term strategies are focused and effective.

As a member of the Global Magna Exteriors Purchasing team, is responsible for contributing to the overall business strategy, establishing category goals and objectives. Also responsible for building strong, cross‑functional internal relationships and key relationships with suppliers.

This position closely collaborates with Purchasing, Plant Materials and Logistics, Operations, Product Line, Engineering, Quality, Finance, Manufacturing Strategy, EHS, and Data Analytic teams at all levels.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Create, implement and maintain category and supplier strategies for the assigned categories.
• Develop ASL that enables the category strategy and execute RFI / RFQ’s according to requirements.
• Negotiate, award and maintain supplier pricing & supplier agreements.
• Develop and present logical, value‑based, total‑landed‑cost, sourcing recommendations to sourcing council.
• Collaborate with division purchasing on strategic quoting, market testing, new business sourcing and resourcing.
• Responsible for category performance & financial reporting on monthly and quarterly basis, as required.
• Responsible for working closely with divisions globally for cost reduction ideation and execution to meet and exceed the business plan.
• Responsible for providing and sharing expert level global category knowledge across the organization as required, including forecasting, business planning, etc.
• Collaborate with cross‑group category leads on strategic objectives, maximizing supplier leverage.
• Assess market conditions, risks, and opportunities and formulate clear action plans to address.
• Identify best practices and emerging trends for cost reduction and value creation opportunities.
• Lead and participate in cross‑functional teams to find, assess, select and consolidate suppliers that will improve value to the organization and help attain targeted business results.
• Ensure effective controls, methods, and best practices are developed and shared throughout the divisions.
• Demonstrate leadership by establishing credibility; acting with integrity; showing commitment; inspiring, motivating, and guiding purchasing teams to achieve strategic objectives and goals.
• Uphold the principles of the Magna Employee’s Charter, Magna’s Operational Principles, Magna’s Environmental Health and Safety Policy & Procedures, Magna Exteriors Quality Policy, Program Execution Process and Business Protocols. Must understand and respect the laws and cultures in countries which Magna conducts business & Magna compliances.
• Promote corporate compliance for the Purchasing community as applicable to local law and Magna Policies.
• Additional duties and responsibilities as assigned.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and the requirements for the performance of this position. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty and responsibility satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, ability and/or physical demands required. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education: A Post‑Secondary Degree in Purchasing, Supply Chain Management, or related field. MBA preferred.

Work Experience: Minimum 8+ years in automotive and/or diversified manufacturing experience, with related technical knowledge of Plastic products, processes and technologies.

Minimum 4+ years of experience in mid/senior management positions or equivalent leadership experience with a track record of progression.

Demonstrated ability to work in and lead in a large matrix organization, work collaboratively with colleagues at all levels of the organization, and get results through others by building constructive, trusting relationships with internal partners and global supply base.

Must have demonstrated success in working with the needs of OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers in a complex, competitive automotive market. Broad functional experience in areas of strategic planning, materials, engineering, finance, manufacturing, purchasing, logistics and cost reduction. Experience with total quality manufacturing management and continuous improvement. Experience in Lean Manufacturing environment is a plus.

Must have Demonstrated experience in business quoting and launch processes, industry best practices, standards, and performance metrics. Experience in Cost Breakdown Analysis, fact based negotiations, and strategic negotiations, with limited supervision.

Travel: Ability to travel up to 25% on average including internationally as required.

Skills/Special Knowledge: Category Management, Finance, International Sourcing, Total Landed Cost, Make‑vs‑Buy, and Cost Modeling experience highly preferred.

Very strong PC skills required along with knowledge and experience with data analysis tools such as Power BI and Microsoft Office (especially Excel).

Professional Certification(s) a plus: C.P.M, CPIM, CSCP Executive Presence

Effective communication and strong presentation skills

Key Behavioral Traits For Success

• Business Acumen. Able to; ensure that everyone is constantly reviewing options for enhancing revenue or profitability; share knowledge of trends, competitors, etc. that affect the organization; hold people accountable for making good fiscal decisions; make significant investments to facilitate continued or long‑term organizational strength; provide cost justification to decision makers to obtain resources.
• Strategic Alignment. Able to; ensure that all systems in the organization are aligned toward achieving overall strategic goals; continually communicate and reinforce the highest priority strategic initiatives to keep the organization focused on the right things; hold others accountable for meeting the needs of the total business rather than optimizing the performance of only their area; ensure that the organization has broad strategies and plans that focus on market needs and competitive advantage; set and articulate a compelling vision for the organization.
• Planning & Organizing. Able to; establish priorities among the organization’s strategies to help people understand which initiatives are most important; ensure that organization has people skills and resources to meet business goals; set an organization expectation that people will plan, prioritize, and organize their work effectively; drive the judicious use of resources throughout the organization; monitor others’ adherence to project plans or timetables. Effective at managing change and conflicting priorities.
• Problem Solving & Analysis. Able to; establish resources and/or processes to gather information/data for problem solving or analysis; create an environment that supports cross‑functional analysis and problem solving; support the definition and resolution of ill‑defined, complex problems that cross organizational boundaries; ensure redundant organization‑wide systems to facilitate accurate and complete data collection and analysis; recognize and resolve emerging problems for the business before they become reality.
• Continuous Quality & Performance Improvement. Able to; foster an organizational environment in which individuals take personal responsibility for improving work processes and products; identify and resolve quality issues that cross departments or functions; support efforts that enhance the organization’s quality performance; create an environment where best practices are freely shared among teams throughout the organization and performance is measured to facilitate continuous improvement.
• Customer / Supplier. Understands their role in creating customer/supplier strategies to generate and sustain profitable business; Develops and maintains strong customer and supplier relationships; Demonstrates global cultural sensitivity in dealing with customers and suppliers; Demonstrates ability to manage the customer/supply base.
• Communication and Empowerment. Establishes effective communication plans, demonstrating clear and respectful communications in all situations. Demonstrates openness and responsiveness to feedback. Creates a positive work environment which inspires and challenges employees to do their best. Gives employees authority to take responsibility for their work.

Physical Demands/Work Environment - Normal amount of sitting or standing, average mobility to move around an office environment, able to conduct normal amount of work at a computer. Up to 25% domestic and/or international travel to our Exterior’s divisions and suppliers as required.

Awareness, Unity, Empowerment

At Magna, we believe that a diverse workforce is critical to our success. That’s why we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We hire on the basis of experience and qualifications, and in consideration of job requirements, regardless of, in particular, color, ancestry, religion, gender, origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability or gender identity. Magna takes the privacy of your personal information seriously. We discourage you from sending applications via email or traditional mail to comply with GDPR requirements and your local Data Privacy Law.

AI‑Assisted Screening Disclosure

As part of our commitment to a fair, consistent, and efficient recruitment process, we may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in the initial screening of applications submitted through our Workday system. These tools help identify qualifications and experience that align with the role requirements. Please note that AI is used solely to support our recruiters. Final decisions are always made by the hiring manager and the hiring team. Importantly, no applicant data is shared externally through these AI tools. All information remains securely within our systems and is handled in accordance with our privacy and data protection policies.

Under conditions defined by applicable law, you may have the right to request an explanation of how AI is used to support decision‑making.

If you have any questions or concerns about this process, feel free to contact our Talent Attraction team.

Worker Type

Regular / Permanent

Group

Magna Exteriors