Executive Manager, Purchasing

Isuzu North America; Plymouth (MI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Isuzu North America, Purchasing, seeks a Purchasing Manager to lead direct purchasing in a fast-paced automotive setting. You will develop sourcing strategies, guide a team of 5–10 buyers, and partner across Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Finance, and Manufacturing to meet business goals.

The ideal candidate brings seven years in automotive purchasing, with at least five years in management, and strong negotiation capabilities to drive continuous improvement and supplier performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain (purchasing), business, finance, or engineering; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum seven years of experience in an automotive purchasing environment.
• Minimum five years purchasing management experience.

Responsibilities

• Develops strategies to support achievement of all commercial targets related to source cost and material cost variation.
• Set clear expectations and provide leadership to direct reports to achieve measurable goals.
• Achieves on-time supplier selection for new programs that align with cost and technical expectations.
• Develops strong relationships with suppliers to achieve optimal working relationships and quick issue resolution.
• Drives creative solutions to continuously improve organizational effectiveness and efficiency.
• Analyzes market conditions and economics to assess present and future risks and opportunities impacting commercial performance.

Skills

Leadership

Negotiation

Strategy

Cross-functional teamwork

Change management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in supply chain / purchasing / business / finance / engineering

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Isuzu Purchasing is part of a global organization that plays a critical role in delivering high-quality commercial vehicles to customers worldwide. Through strategic sourcing, supplier development, and cross-functional collaboration, the team drives cost competitiveness, supplier performance, and operational excellence while supporting Isuzu's reputation for reliability and innovation.

The North American Purchasing team is seeking a Purchasing Manager to lead all direct purchasing activities in a dynamic and fast-paced automotive environment. This role is responsible for developing sourcing strategies, achieving commercial and program objectives, leading supplier selection activities, and fostering strong supplier partnerships to support current and future business needs.

We are seeking a seasoned purchasing leader with experience managing and developing a team of approximately 5 to 10 purchasing professionals. Success in this role requires strong leadership, strategic thinking, negotiation skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively across Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Finance, and Manufacturing. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of driving continuous improvement, developing talent, and delivering measurable business results.

Job Summary

Manages all direct purchasing related activities for Isuzu North America. Responsible for achieving all commercial targets and program management related targets while leading and developing a world class purchasing organization.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities

% of time spent
on each activity

• 20% Develops strategies to support achievement of all commercial related targets associated with source cost to target and material cost variation.
• 20% Responsible for setting clear expectations and providing leadership to direct reports to facilitate achievement of measurable goals.
• 20% 20% Achieves on-time supplier selection for new programs that align with Isuzu cost and technical expectations.
• Develops strong relationships with suppliers to achieve optimal working relationships and resolve issues quickly.
• 10% Proactively drives creative solutions to continuously improve organizational effectiveness and efficiency.
• 10% Analyzes market conditions and economics to assess present and future risks and opportunities impacting commercial performance.
• Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned, including leadership and involvement when needed on quality and delivery supply issues.

Organizational Relationships

• Reports to: Director, Purchasing
• Direct reports: Commodity Buyers, Senior Commodity Buyer(s), Purchasing Administrator, Purchasing Administration & Systems Lead

Education, Experience & Training

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain (purchasing), business, finance, or engineering; advanced degree preferred
• Minimum seven years of experience in an automotive purchasing environment
• Minimum five years purchasing management experience

Knowledge

• Cost analysis, basic financial analysis, and basic engineering knowledge including interpretation of part design and manufacturing process.
• Commodity strategy creation, implementation and/or execution
• Cross functional knowledge and experience in Supply Chain and Quality

Skills & Abilities

• Proficient PC skills in MS Office applications (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
• Strong leadership and supervisory skills including coaching, teaching, and mentoring
• Ability to manage change and drive continuous improvement
• Strong skills in data-driven negotiations
• Cross functional organizational agility

Physical Standards

The employee must be able to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer. This is primarily a sedentary position in a controlled office environment which requires only occasional reaching, stooping, and lifting of office files, reports or records, typically weighing 5 lbs. or less.

Position requires a maximum of 25% travel, including overnight stays.

Management Accountabilities

• Establishes operating policies that affect subordinate multi-level organizational units. Interprets, executes, and recommends modifications to organizational policies.
• Responsible for managing a staff function. Accomplishes results normally through subordinate managers or supervisors or exempt specialist employees. Modifies the structure of organizational units or a centralized functional activity subject to Director or higher-level approval.
• Responsible for all projects assigned to the organizational units. Acts as an advisor to subordinate supervisors or staff members to help meet established schedules or resolve technical or operational problems. Directly participates in establishing and administering many centralized functional projects. Submits and administers budget schedules and performance standards.
• Frequent contacts with equivalent level inter-organizational managers and customer representatives concerning projects, operational decisions, scheduling requirements, or contractual clarifications. Conducts briefings and technical meetings for internal and external representatives.
• Requires minimum of seven years of related experience.