Global Automation Strategy & Sourcing Lead

Socket.dev; Michigan; On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation benefits

Job summary

General Motors seeks a senior leader to define and execute the automation sourcing strategy for GPSC, driving multi-year roadmaps for platforms, suppliers, and standards across global manufacturing and logistics.

You will lead a team, build KPIs, partner with IT, Finance, and operations, and guide deployment of automation solutions while traveling up to 50% to engage plants and partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or related field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in purchasing, supply chain, operations, or manufacturing engineering with exposure to automation equipment, controls, or robotics.
• Demonstrated people leadership experience with 4–5+ direct reports and talent development across diverse technical and commercial skill sets.
• Proven success leading complex, cross-functional, and global initiatives from strategy through implementation and value realization.
• Deep knowledge of sourcing, supplier management, and contract/commercial structures for capital equipment and automation solutions.
• Experience supporting or leading automation programs in manufacturing or logistics.
• Strong strategic orientation, analytical capability, and executive communication skills.
• Travel Requirements: occasional domestic and international travel up to 50%.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of purchasing professionals and automation strategy leaders supporting equipment, controls, and robotics.
• Build an inclusive, high-performance culture focused on safety, innovation, data-driven decision making, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure staffing, coaching, succession planning, and performance management for leadership bench strength.
• Develop automation purchasing and strategy roadmaps for GPSC, including platforms, suppliers, standards, and commercial models.
• Align automation strategy with program cycles, capacity plans, and plant network changes.
• Establish and own KPIs for automation performance and drive improvements.
• Develop global commodity strategies for automation categories and negotiate favorable agreements.
• Lead supplier risk assessments and mitigation plans for critical automation technologies.
• Partner with Manufacturing Engineering, Logistics & Packaging, and plant teams to integrate automation sourcing early in programs.
• Standardize specifications and repeatable solutions to reduce complexity and enable reuse.
• Provide oversight for automation sourcing events, launches, and issue resolution.

Skills

People leadership

Strategic planning

Supplier management

Risk management

Analytics

Change management

Executive communication

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or related field

Tools

Power BI

Python

Cost modelling tools

Supplier performance dashboards

Job description

General Motors seeks a senior leader to define and execute the automation sourcing strategy for GPSC, driving multi-year roadmaps for platforms, suppliers, and standards across global manufacturing and logistics.

You will lead a team, build KPIs, partner with IT, Finance, and operations, and guide deployment of automation solutions while traveling up to 50% to engage plants and partners.