Lead Category Management Strategist

American Axle & Mfg., Inc.; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Dauch Corporation, a premier Driveline and Metal Forming supplier in the global automotive industry, is seeking a Lead Category Management Strategist at its Detroit HQ. You will drive long-range category strategy, lead global sourcing, and oversee end-to-end cost-down initiatives across the worldwide footprint.

You will collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, and finance to align procurement with company objectives, manage supplier relationships, and deliver high-value materials while

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in a related field.
• 10+ years purchasing or manufacturing experience.
• Preferred experience with iron castings.
• Knowledge of industry purchasing policies and practices.
• Understanding of global sourcing, landed cost and risk management.
• Strong negotiation skills with cost savings history.
• ERP systems proficiency (Oracle / Plex) and data analytics.

Responsibilities

• Serve as global category owner to leadership with cost-down strategies.
• Lead RFPs, bid evaluation, cost breakdowns, negotiation and contracting.
• Execute global strategy with approved suppliers and consolidate spend.
• Collaborate on sourcing for new programs to ensure readiness.
• Analyze supplier costs and market trends for savings opportunities.
• Lead cost-reduction and VAVE activities to meet targets.
• Support annual procurement budgeting and monthly forecasts.
• Develop long-term supplier relationships for quality and delivery.
• Lead cross-functional sourcing reviews with engineering and QA.
• Identify and mitigate supply-chain risks including capacity and price fluctuations.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Negotiation

Cost savings

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

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

Tools

Oracle ERP

Plex ERP

Data analytics tools

Job description

Lead Category Management Strategist

Job Description Summary

Dauch is seeking a Lead Category Management Strategist to join our world-class team. This is an outstanding opportunity to be part of a leading company in the automotive industry, where you will have the chance to contribute to the flawless execution of our manufacturing processes. This role located at our World Headquarters based in Detroit, MI. The Lead Category Management Strategist drives long-term planning, category strategy development, and continuous improvement across our worldwide footprint. Serving as the global lead for the designated category, this role executes end-to-end strategic sourcing to deliver cost-effective solutions while upholding Tier 1 automotive standards for quality, capacity, and on-time delivery across all Dauch manufacturing facilities.

Job Description:

• Serve as the definitive subject matter expert and global category owner in front of executive leadership, delivering routine performance reviews, supply-market forecasts, risk outlooks, and multi-year cost-down strategies with full command of underlying data.
• Lead the strategic sourcing process; including request for quotation, evaluation of bids, cost breakdown analysis, negotiation, supplier evaluation, sourcing recommendation, and contracting.
• Execute the Global Strategy with the approved supply base, consolidating strategic suppliers while reducing costs, maintaining quality and performance standards and align across all regions.
• Collaborate on sourcing strategies for new business programs to ensure timely supplier sourcing and readiness.
• Analyze supplier cost structures and market trends to identify opportunities for cost reductions.
• Lead and implement process improvements / cost reduction and VAVE activities to improve competitiveness of category spend to meet or exceed budget and business plan targets.
• Contribute to annual procurement budget development process and support submission of monthly forecasts to finance team.
• Conduct cost and price negotiations and establish long-term agreements with suppliers to deliver the highest value materials that meet cost, quality, and delivery requirements and drive cost savings and supplier performance improvements.
• Develop and manage relationships with key suppliers to ensure quality, cost competitiveness, and on-time delivery.
• Lead technical sourcing reviews with supply base, systems engineering, component engineering and supplier quality engineering contacts to close out all issues and ensure cross-functional support of sourcing recommendations. Identify and mitigate risks in the supply chain, including capacity, price fluctuations, and geopolitical factors.
• Work with internal teams (engineering, manufacturing, finance) to align procurement strategies with company objectives.
• All other duties as assigned.

Required Skills and Education

• Bachelor's degree required, preferred major in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or other related field
• 10+ years previous purchasing or related manufacturing experience preferred
• Preferred experience with iron castings
• Thorough knowledge of industry purchasing policies, procedures, and commercial practices
• Understanding of global sourcing, landed cost, and supply chain risk management
• Strong negotiation skills with a history of cost savings and supplier performance improvement
• Proficiency in ERP systems (Oracle / Plex Preferred) and data analytics tools

About Dauch:

Dauch Corporation is a premier Driveline and Metal Forming supplier serving the global automotive industry with a powertrain-agnostic product portfolio that supports electric, hybrid, and internal combustion vehicles. The company is headquartered in Detroit, MI, with operations that span 24 countries and more than 175 locations. Formed through the acquisition of Dowlais Group plc and its subsidiaries - GKN Automotive and GKN Powder Metallurgy, Dauch unites deep engineering roots with global manufacturing capabilities and an entrepreneurial spirit to move mobility forward. Visit www.dauch.com to learn more.

Dauch will not discriminate against any Associate or applicant for employment because of age, race, color, gender, religion, weight, height, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic history or information, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, national origin, or other characteristic protected by law.

Dauch will take affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed, and that Associates are treated equally during employment, without regard to their age, race, color, gender, religion, weight, height, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic history or information, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, national origin, or other characteristic protected by law.

For the Disabled Job Seeker: We offer reasonable accommodations for qualified disabled individuals who are applicants for employment.

To request assistance or accommodations, please e-mail [e-mail].

Dauch is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.