Sensory Technology Buyer – Electronics

Ford; Dearborn (MI); Hybrid; USD 87,000 - 166,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Prescription coverage

Parental leave

Vehicle discount program

Tuition assistance

Employee resource groups

Paid time off

Job summary

Ford's Sensory Technology team seeks a seasoned Buyer – Electronics to source ADAS, displays, switches and audio components for global vehicle platforms. You will partner with Product Development, Supplier Technical Assistance and Manufacturing to optimize cost, performance and supply continuity.

This role blends strategic sourcing with hands-on supplier engagement. The position is hybrid in Dearborn, MI, requiring onsite four+ days weekly.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business/Supply Chain, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in the electronics industry in purchasing, supply chain, engineering or sales roles.
• 5+ years of experience working cross-functionally with engineering and suppliers in technical product environments.
• Strong technical understanding of electronics and electronic components (e.g., semiconductors, passives, PCBs).
• Ability to communicate recommendations and influence senior leadership, suppliers, and cross-functional stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Use electronics industry knowledge to support the team in negotiation and strategy development.
• Lead response to supply chain disruptions to limit impact and keep production running.
• Develop and execute category strategies aligned with Product Development priorities, focusing on system optimization and value delivery.
• Conduct RFIs/RFQs for hardware applications for future vehicle platforms.
• Act as a key interface between Sensory Technology Supply Chain, Product Development, Tech Strategy and external partners.
• Lead or support strategic initiatives, workshops, and supplier engagements to drive innovation.
• Drive supplier transparency and close cost gaps to meet program targets.
• Grow the team’s knowledge and expertise in electronics and cost modeling.

Skills

Electronics experience

Cross-functional teamwork

Negotiation

Strategic thinking

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Business/Supply Chain

Job description

Sensory Technology Buyer – Electronics

We made history and now we work to transform the future – for our customers, our communities and our families. You'll see your work on the road every day, helping people move freely and pursue their dreams. At Ford, you can build more than vehicles. Come build what matters.

About the role

Ford's Digital Technology & Electrified Systems Supply Chain organization is looking for an experienced electronics industry professional to join our Sensory Technology team. We source the technologies our customers see, hear and touch in every vehicle: Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), displays, switches and audio systems. You'll join a team of commercial and technical experts. Together with Product Development, Supplier Technical Assistance, Manufacturing and Tech Strategy, you'll make sure our global supply base delivers world-class quality, cost and innovation. You'll work directly with suppliers and Ford sites around the world.

What you'll do

• Use your electronics industry knowledge (component costs, semiconductor content, market trends and supplier capabilities) to support the team and assist in negotiation and strategy development
• Lead the response to supply chain disruptions such as component shortages, capacity limits and supplier distress. Coordinate cross-functional teams to limit the impact and keep production running.
• Help develop and execute forward-looking category strategies aligned with Product Development priorities, with a strong focus on system optimization and value delivery.
• Conduct RFIs/RFQs with the supply base for key hardware applications for future vehicle platforms.
• Act as a key interface between Sensory Technology Supply Chain team, Product Development, Tech Strategy and external partners to ensure alignment on strategy and execution.
• Lead or support strategic initiatives, workshops, and supplier engagements (e.g., tech days, roadmap reviews, quarterly business reviews) to drive innovation and capability building.
• Drive supplier transparency and accountability to close cost gaps and meet program targets.
• Grow the team’s knowledge and expertise in the electronics industry and drive the development of advanced and robust cost modeling.

You'll have

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business/Supply Chain, or a related field
• 5+ years of experience in the electronics industry in purchasing, supply chain, engineering or sales roles
• 5+ years of experience working cross-functionally with engineering and suppliers in technical product environments
• Strong technical understanding of electronics and electronic components (e.g., semiconductors, passives, PCBs)
• Comfort operating with ambiguity, evolving priorities, and the need to pivot strategies and responsibilities as business needs change
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills with the ability to communicate recommendations and influence senior leadership, suppliers, and cross-functional stakeholders.

Even better, you may have

• Master’s degree in Engineering (Electrical/Electronics/Mechanical/Chemical or Industrial) or Business/Supply Chain
• Prior experience managing ADAS, audio, display or switch categories
• Prior experience managing electronic components (e.g., semiconductors, passives, PCBs)
• Demonstrated ability to translate high-level category strategies into tactical program execution

About Ford

As an established global company, we offer the benefit of choice. You can choose what your Ford future will look like: will your story span the globe, or keep you close to home? Will your career be a deep dive into what you love, or a series of new teams and new skills? Will you be a leader, a changemaker, a technical expert, a culture builder…or all of the above? No matter what you choose, we offer a work life that works for you, including:

• Immediate medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage
• Paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care and more
• Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments and more
• Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases
• Tuition assistance
• Established and active employee resource groups
• Paid time off for individual and team community service
• Generous vacation time, sick/personal time, and paid holidays, including between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day

Salary

This position is a salary grade 7 and ranges from $86,600-$144,900. This position is a salary grade 8 and ranges from $99,100-$166,200. Final determination of salary grade will be based on candidate's skills and experience, and base salary will be set within the applicable range according to job scope, responsibility and competitive market value.

Visa and Eligibility

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.

Equal Opportunity Statement

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status or protected veteran status. In the United States, if you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability, please call 1-888-336-0660.

Work arrangement

This position is hybrid with a requirement to be onsite four or more days per week.