Production Buyer

Join our global purchasing team and play a pivotal role in shaping the supply chain for Ford's North American vehicle production. As a Commodity Buyer, you will be responsible for strategically sourcing components from suppliers worldwide, managing relationships, and ensuring the timely and cost-effective delivery of parts. You'll navigate supply constraints, foster strong supplier partnerships, and contribute to a resilient and efficient supply base. This position offers a unique opportunity to lead cross-functional efforts, influence product development, and drive significant cost efficiencies through innovative solutions and robust negotiation strategies. You will also contribute to our commitment to a diverse and sustainable supply chain.

At Ford Motor Company, we believe freedom of movement drives human progress. With our incredible plans for the future of mobility, we have a wide variety of opportunities for you to accelerate your career and help us define tomorrow's transportation.

Ford's Purchasing team works to ensure that parts and services sourced from around the globe are of the highest quality, at optimal cost, and delivered on-time. We aim to build strong relationships with the supply base so that Ford can produce vehicles that our customers want and value. Building and maintaining strong, mutually beneficial relationships with a diverse range of suppliers helps us lower costs, improve quality and make progress toward our sustainability goals. We recognize that a diverse supply base is an integral part of our overall success, providing fresh perspectives that lead to cutting-edge innovations and accelerated business development. We continue to foster productive relationships with entrepreneurs from a wide range of backgrounds to meet our customers' needs and expectations.

• Bachelor's degree completed.
• Excellent English language skills, both written and spoken.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
• Demonstrated critical thinking and analytical skills.
• Comfortable with public speaking and presenting information.
• Strong negotiation and communication skills.
• Ability to work in a challenging environment and drive continuous improvement.
• Knowledge of EDS system components (wiring harnesses, connectors, terminals) and manufacturing processes is a strong advantage.

DISCLAIMER: Ford Motor Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer, as we are committed with a diverse workforce, and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran and basis of disability.

• Lead the procurement process for connectors, terminals, and brackets for wire harnesses and battery cables across all North American programs.
• Develop and execute comprehensive supply base and commodity strategies, including Modularity Catalogue, Global Commodity Business Plans, Commodity Segmentation, and ESF activity.
• Drive cross-functional teams in the on-time execution of the Global Product Development System (GPDS) sourcing process.
• Facilitate the target-setting process for new programs and support purchasing milestone requirements.
• Lead target and pricing negotiations to secure the best Job 1 price and achieve year-over-year cost efficiencies.
• Issue, analyze, and evaluate requests for proposals (RFPs) and manage Sourcing Agreements (SA/SOBA) in accordance with established frameworks.
• Execute Commercial Business Group (CBG) sourcing consistent with global plans and strategies.
• Provide local supplier and country expertise for sourcing, potentially leading local supplier negotiations.
• Secure Commercial Program Agreement (CPA) level sign-off and manage subsequent design changes and updated quotes.
• Issue prototype orders, production Purchase Orders (POs)/amendments, and Tool Orders to support vehicle builds.
• Provide local Program Launch Support, including resolving supply issues, conducting capacity production studies, and managing Part Submission Warrant (PSW) timing plans.
• Utilize analytical tools for cost analysis (e.g., 8-bin analysis, cost models, benchmarking) and lead Total Value Management (TVM) and Commodity Cost Attack Team (CCAT) activities.
• Manage day-to-day relationships with suppliers and internal customers regarding supply, quality, part launches, resourcing, and capacity planning.
• Build positive and fact-based relationships with the supply base, acting as a partner and focusing on value beyond just price.
• Develop and manage Supplier Resourcing actions according to Resourcing Implementation Board (RIB) processes, leading cross-functional team meetings, tracking issues, coordinating bank builds, and managing tool transfers.