Buyer - Small Exterior Lamps

About the role

The Ford Supply Chain team is at the heart of our global transformation. We don’t just buy parts; we build resilient, competitive, and technologically advanced supply strategies and networks. As the Buyer for Exterior Small Lamps, you will own the commercial strategy for a diverse and rapidly evolving portfolio (including fog lamps, lit badging, grille lighting, truck bed utility lighting, and more). You will join a collaborative team of experienced lighting buyers, taking full ownership of your unique parts and supplier relationships sourcing the highest quality parts from around the globe while ensuring the best total cost and on-time delivery. By bridging the gap between cutting-edge design and commercial execution, you will directly influence the vehicles our customers love.

Responsibilities

• Design & Execute Sourcing Strategies: Develop, implement, and champion the North American sourcing strategy for the small exterior lamp portfolio (e.g., fog lamps, CHMSLs, roof/side markers, rear reflex, lit badging, grille lamps, and utility lighting).
• Manage the Commodity Business Plan: Ensure continuous alignment, review, and adherence to the Global Small Lamp Commodity Business Plan to support long-term sourcing stability.
• Launch Management: Develop and manage detailed commercial timing plans for upcoming vehicle programs, ensuring supplier onboarding and cost targets align with critical program milestones.
• Drive High-Value Negotiations: Lead end-to-end commercial negotiations with global suppliers, covering production parts, engineering design & testing (ED&T), and lifecycle services.
• Deliver Cost Optimizations: Proactively identify and execute commercial cost-saving initiatives. Evaluate supplier cost-increase requests, utilizing fact-based negotiation and market data to mitigate avoidances.
• Support Data-Driven Decision Making: Conduct comprehensive business case studies, including landed cost studies, total cost of ownership (TCO) analyses, and quality cost evaluations to guide executive sourcing decisions.
• Partner with Key Stakeholders: Act as the commercial bridge between Product Development (PD), Design Studio, Quality (STA), and Finance to deliver optimal quality, cost, and delivery (QCD) objectives.
• Cultivate Supplier Partnerships: Build, maintain, and leverage strong, professional relationships with key global suppliers to foster innovation and secure supply priority.
• Resolve Supply Bottlenecks: Actively work with cross-functional teams in resolving complex commercial, quality, or delivery issues that impact production.
• Executive Presentation: Prepare and confidently present sourcing strategies, business cases, and risk-mitigation plans to senior executive leadership.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field.
• 3+ years of experience in purchasing, procurement, strategic sourcing, or commercial contract negotiation.
• Strong analytical skills with a proven ability to evaluate large datasets, synthesize complex financial data, and present clear, actionable recommendations.
• Availability to work in our hybrid model (4 days on-site in Dearborn, MI, with 1 day optional remote).

Qualifications

• 5+ years of strategic procurement or supply chain experience, preferably within the automotive or manufacturing sectors.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills, with a track record of collaborating across diverse, cross-functional teams.
• Prior experience sourcing electrical, mechanical, or electro-mechanical components (LEDs, optical components, or smart-lighting systems are highly valued).
• Master’s Degree (MBA or Master’s in Supply Chain/Engineering).
• Proven project management skills with a strong discipline for process, timelines, and execution.
• Proficiency with advanced data tools (complex Excel modeling, Power BI, etc.) and enterprise sourcing systems (SAP experience is a plus).

Skills

• Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Knowledge of automotive supply chain operations.
• Experience with data analysis and business case development.

Benefits

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.

Pay

This position is a salary grade 6 and ranges from $74,300-$124,500.
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.

Schedule

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.