Global Automation Strategy & Sourcing Lead

generalmotors; Warren (MI); Hybrid; USD 170,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

General Motors in Warren, MI, is seeking a senior leader to drive strategy, sourcing, and deployment of automation across GPSC. You will manage a global team, partner with IT, Finance, and suppliers, and set KPIs for launch readiness, availability, and cost efficiency.

The role requires leading cross-functional, global initiatives and travel up to 50%, with a focus on safety, cost reduction, and continuous improvement.

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 significant exposure to automation equipment, controls, or robotics.
• Demonstrated people leadership experience, including direct leadership of teams (typically 4–5+ direct reports) and talent development across diverse technical and commercial skill sets.
• Proven success leading complex, cross-functional, and global initiatives in a matrixed environment, from strategy through implementation and value realization.
• Deep knowledge of sourcing, supplier management, and contract/commercial structures for capital equipment and/or automation solutions, including risk and lifecycle cost management.
• Experience supporting or leading automation programs in manufacturing or logistics (e.g., robotic cells, automated material handling, advanced controls, integrated systems).
• Strong strategic orientation, analytical capability, and executive communication skills; able to simplify technical complexity and influence senior leaders.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through ambiguity, drive change, and challenge the status quo while maintaining strong relationships and alignment.
• High learning agility and comfort operating in a fast-changing environment with evolving technologies and competing priorities.
• Travel Requirements: Occasional domestic and international travel to GM plants, suppliers, and technology partners 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, disruption, data-driven decision making, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure the right technical and leadership bench strength through staffing, coaching, succession planning, and performance management.
• Develop and execute global automation commodity strategies for automation categories (e.g., robotics, controls, material handling systems, vision systems, MES interfaces, services).
• Negotiate commercial agreements that optimize total cost of ownership, lifecycle support, and innovation access.
• Lead supplier risk, resiliency, and capacity assessments for critical automation technologies; define mitigation plans.
• Partner with Manufacturing Engineering, Logistics & Packaging, and plant teams to integrate automation sourcing in program planning and milestones.
• Provide oversight and escalation support for automation sourcing events, launches, and issue resolution.
• Reimagine and standardize purchasing and supplier management processes to improve speed, transparency, and control.
• Leverage digital tools, analytics, and automation to manage spend, performance, and risk.
• Influence across functions to align on standards and drive adoption of new ways of working.
• Lead change management and communication plans to support deployment of automation standards and updated processes.
• Maintain external connectivity with automation OEMs and suppliers to bring best practices into GM.
• Benchmark GM’s automation cost and performance against peers and translate insights into strategies.

Skills

People leadership

Strategy development

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical capability

Executive communication

Change management

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, or related field

Tools

Power BI

Python

ML/AI basics

Cost modeling tools

Supplier performance dashboards

Job description

General Motors in Warren, MI, is seeking a senior leader to drive strategy, sourcing, and deployment of automation across GPSC. You will manage a global team, partner with IT, Finance, and suppliers, and set KPIs for launch readiness, availability, and cost efficiency.

The role requires leading cross-functional, global initiatives and travel up to 50%, with a focus on safety, cost reduction, and continuous improvement.