Purchasing Lead

FordDirect; Dearborn (MI); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

FordDirect is seeking a Purchasing Lead to manage strategic sourcing for software, services, and products in the digital marketing and automotive retail space. You will analyze TCO, negotiate contracts, and drive cost savings while coordinating with Legal and Security teams.

The role emphasizes executive-level presentations and a hybrid in-office schedule (Tue-Thu). The ideal candidate has 5+ years in strategic sourcing, strong ERP/contract management experience, and proven ability to influence

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration or related area.
• MBA and/or Finance degree a plus.
• FordDirect values diversity and inclusive hiring practices.
• Candidates may be considered based on experience and depth of expertise.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end sourcing for software, services and products, ensuring best terms and risk mitigation.
• Negotiate contracts with suppliers to secure favorable commercial terms.
• Collaborate with Legal for contract finalization and terms.
• Provide due diligence, supplier assessments and cost-savings documentation.
• Utilize contract management tools and ERP systems to track matters.
• Lead supplier evaluations, bid events and sourcing awards.

Skills

AI tools

Executive credibility

End-to-end sourcing

Contract terms

Contract mgmt systems

ERP systems

Workflow tools

MS Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business administration or related area

MBA and/or Finance degree a plus

Tools

Gatekeeper

NetSuite

Job description

The Purchasing Lead is responsible for maintaining and enhancing the company’s strategic sourcing function, which includes end-to-end sourcing activities related to software, services and products for a growing digital marketing company in the automotive retail space. The Lead will be primarily focused on sourcing for digital marketing and advertising, technology industries and general business activities. This position will continuously improve the strategy and related policies to source products and services that ensure high-quality, favorable commercial terms, cost avoidance, and risk mitigation while driving company growth and business objectives forward.

This role will assist in providing due diligence, contract and supplier management and support supplier operations with the Security and Privacy teams through onsite supplier assessments. This includes the review and investigation into the capability, capacity and historical performance of the supplier.

Additionally, the individual will possess excellent financial analytical skills, especially around the area of Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). This person will help assess and articulate price drivers and overall cost to the business owner, finance organization, and the Strategic Sourcing team. The role will be responsible for documenting all cost-savings achieved through their negotiations.

This position will have a heavy focus on cross-functional involvement and collaboration with the Legal Team to finalize contracts, ensuring favorable terms & conditions are met.

The ideal candidate will lead and present concise sourcing strategies including supplier recommendations, financial analyses, negotiations, and risks to VP levels and above to support timely decision-making.

This position is a hybrid role which requires the employee to work in the office Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

Essential Functions

• Enhance the business function, providing education and driving the acceptance of the program at all levels of the organization.
• Develop and continually analyze program policies and procedures, implement new procedures, and provide policy interpretation for business units for engaging the sourcing team within corporate guidelines.
• Work to improve sourcing strategy related to sourcing events that results in best-in-class decisions focusing on quality of product or service while mitigating contract risks.
• Create benchmarks to measure competitive rates and department’s performance against business objectives; initiate corrective actions where objectives fall short of targets.
• Evaluate and monitor market conditions and adjust sourcing strategy accordingly.
• Leverage AI-based tools and technologies to improve efficiency, accuracy, and quality of work within scope of responsibilities.
• Manage assigned indirect spend categories to deliver annual cost savings (both reduction and avoidance) to the business in accordance with the company’s goals.
• Negotiate contracts with selected suppliers to ensure favorable commercial terms & conditions.
• Evaluate, recommend, and provide guidance for supplier selection, ensuring alignment with business owner and company objectives.
• Utilize contract management tool to track and respond to assigned contract matters.
• Lead competitive bid events and make sourcing awards.
• Negotiate and issue FordDirect contract agreements (purchase order terms & conditions).
• Perform invoice tracking throughout the life of approved PO as needed for the Finance department.
• Review and approve single-source forms for purchases above assigned threshold.
• Support Supplier Assessments to help ascertain potential risk of doing business with any new or changing third-party business partners. These assessments will include a financial review, legal matters review, and any security data use or issues that are introduced by a given supplier.
• Develop and improve training content based on current team policies and processes.

Qualifications

At FordDirect, we believe in diversity as a strength. You're encouraged to apply even if your experience or background doesn't precisely match the job description. Candidates who do not meet all listed qualifications may be considered based on the combination of relevant work experience and depth of expertise in job-related skills.

Experience

• Strategic sourcing role with Marketing and IT-related spend (i.e. advertising, media, market research/analytics, PR, digital, web design, promotional materials, consulting services, staff augmentation or software and related services) (5+ years).
• Contract negotiation (5+ years).
• Demonstrated experience in formulating strategies and driving initiatives (4+ years).
• Digital media, advertising and marketing industries (4+ years).
• Information technology industries, particularly in the software, consulting and staff augmentation space (4+ years).
• ERP systems for purchasing or sourcing applications.
• Developing/implementing sourcing methodology, strongly desired.

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Demonstrated fluency with AI-enabled tools and a working understanding of their appropriate use, limitations and application to job-related tasks.
• Understanding of contractual terms & conditions and the overall impact on the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to build credibility with executive-level stakeholders.
• Demonstrated accomplishments in end-to-end sourcing responsibilities and deliverables.
• Contract Management Systems, ERP Systems, and workflow tools used in sourcing (e.g. Gatekeeper, NetSuite).
• Proactively problem-solve and multitask while maintaining composure and attention to detail.
• Follow-through mindset to uphold a ‘close the loop’ culture.
• A positive approach to serving customers and providing exceptional customer service.
• Ability to demonstrate good judgment, high ethics and project a professional image.
• Ability to work independently and as a collaborative team member with a positive ‘can do’ attitude.
• The drive to identify and seize opportunities for continuous improvement as business needs change.
• Excellent organization, flexibility and time management skills and the ability to work in a dynamic, deadline-driven environment.
• Exceptional interpersonal and business communication skills (written, verbal, listening).
• Proficient in Microsoft Office skills (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business administration or related area

MBA and/or Finance degree a plus

At FordDirect, our emphasis on diversity is much more than words. We encourage you to be yourself. We open our minds and doors to all walks of life, respecting and celebrating the uniqueness within each of us. We value the voice and contributions of all team members. The diversity of our team drives us, inspires us, and makes us proud to call FordDirect home.

FordDirect is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, disability status or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.

If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please email [e-mail].

FordDirect is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position. Only candidates permanently authorized to work in the United States will be considered.