Brake Controls Buyer

Job description

We are the movers of the world and the makers of the future. We get up every day, roll up our sleeves and build a better world - together. At Ford, we’re all a part of something bigger than ourselves. Are you ready to change the way the world moves? The Ford Purchasing team adds critical value to the entire organization. You’ll help us source the highest quality parts and services from around the globe while ensuring optimal cost and on-time delivery.

You’ll also contribute to establishing a robust supply chain so that we can continually produce the vehicles our customers want. In this position... Develop and implement category strategies for Brake Controls commodity to optimize cost, quality, resiliency, and supplier performance. Conduct supplier evaluations and negotiations to secure competitive pricing, quality, and mitigate risk. Lead the commercial evaluation of new vehicle programs, presenting data-driven sourcing recommendations to executive leadership.

Manage supplier relationships to ensure timely delivery of products and resolve any issues that may arise. Monitor global market trends, capacity constraints, and geopolitical risks to proactively adjust the sourcing footprint. Accountable to work closely with others to meet deadlines with excellence; drive others to deliver required materials on time and with quality.

Responsibilities

What you'll do...

Develop and Execute Category Strategies

Lead the strategic sourcing and category management for brake control and automotive underbody systems to optimize cost, quality, resiliency, and overall supplier performance.

Drive Commercial Sourcing and Negotiations

Lead supplier evaluations, RFQs, and complex contract negotiations to secure competitive pricing, protect intellectual property, and mitigate procurement risks.

Guide New Vehicle Program Sourcing

Orchestrate the commercial evaluation of upcoming vehicle lines, utilizing data-driven analysis to present robust, strategic sourcing recommendations to leadership.

Proactively Manage Supply Resiliency

Monitor global market trends, raw material indices, and geopolitical risks to proactively optimize our sourcing footprint and prevent supply chain disruptions.

Manage Strategic Supplier Relations

Nurture high-impact relationships with key global suppliers, resolving commercial, quality, or delivery issues collaboratively to ensure uninterrupted vehicle production.

Collaborate Across Functions

Partner closely with engineering, quality, and program management teams to align business goals with technical requirements, driving continuous improvement and process efficiency.

Qualifications

You'll have...

Minimum Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain management, engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience

Typically, 4 or more years of experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, or supply chain management, preferably with experience managing technical automotive commodities (such as braking systems, chassis, or electronic controls).

Negotiation & Contract Management

Proven success navigating complex commercial negotiations and managing supplier contracts.

Technical & Tool Proficiency

Strong capabilities in data-driven decision-making, with proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel) and industry-standard procurement software (such as SAP, Ariba, or similar e-sourcing tools).

Communication & Collaboration

Excellent communication skills, with a proven ability to translate complex commodity details into clear, strategic updates for cross-functional stakeholders and leadership. Even better, you may have... Master's degree in business, supply chain management, or a related field. Strong negotiation skills and ability to build and maintain relationships with suppliers. Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and procurement software.

Knowledge of sourcing best practices and industry trends. Strong communication skills that can effectively transition from bottoms-up details to concise, clear executive-level messaging. You may not check every box, or your experience may look a little different from what we've outlined, but if you think you can bring value to Ford Motor Company, we encourage you to apply! 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
• Flexible family care days, 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
• A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between

Christmas and New Year’s Day

• Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time. This position is a range of salary grades 7-8 and ranges from $84,480-$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. For more information on salary and benefits, click here: https://fordcareers.co/GSR 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.

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. This position is hybrid.

Candidates who are in commuting distance to a Ford hub location may be required to be onsite four or more days per week. #LI-Hybrid #LI-TS3