Daimler Truck North AmericaDetroit, Michigan
Inside the Role The Director of Procurement and Supplier Management at Detroit is responsible for leading employee development and performance, as well as achieving strategic and operational goals for Procurement and Supplier Management Truck Powertrain North America. This position guides and develops a talented team by fostering a culture of accountability, growth, and high performance. The ideal candidate will align team objectives with broader organizational targets and support career development within Procurement and Supplier Management.Building and maintaining relationships with global suppliers that offer competitive pricing, high quality, innovation, and reliability is essential for success in this role. As a leader, you will help ensure we remain at the forefront of technology and supply chain resilience. The ability to collaborate effectively with Engineering, Operations, and suppliers is required to reduce total cost of ownership throughout the product lifecycle. Your insights will help drive smarter sourcing decisions from development through production.Contribute actively to product development by involving supplier capabilities early in the process. Lead strategic supplier development initiatives to ensure supplier readiness, encourage innovation, and maintain long-term alignment. Take full responsibility for managing the lifecycle of purchased parts and systems within assigned commodities, including overseeing supplier selection, development, series preparation, and order fulfillment.Play a vital role in advancing supplier management across Daimler Truck Powertrain globally. Help define and implement strategies that strengthen our global supply network and support long-term business objectives. Posting Information We provide a scheduled posting end date to assist our candidates with their application planning. While this date reflects our latest plans, it is subject to change, and postings may be extended or removed earlier than expected. We Take Care of Our Team Pay offered dependent on knowledge, skills, and experience. Benefits include annual bonus program; 401k company contribution with company match up to 6% as well as non-elective company contribution of 3 - 7% depending on age; starting at 4 weeks paid vacation; 13+ calendar holidays; 8 weeks paid parental leave; employee assistance program; comprehensive healthcare plans and wellness programs; onsite fitness (at some locations); tuition assistance and volunteer paid time off; short-term and long-term disability plans. Leadership & Team Development Lead, motivate, and develop team members in alignment with company values and performance goals. Support hiring, onboarding, and employee engagement initiatives. Ensure compliance with internal policies and promote a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. Represent Procurement in cross-functional and leadership forums. Strategic Procurement & Supplier Management Develop and execute commodity and supplier strategies aligned with global Truck and Powertrain objectives. Ensure part availability, quality, and cost optimization across the supply base. Lead supplier negotiations, contract approvals, and strategic sourcing decisions. Monitor supplier performance and drive continuous improvement in collaboration with internal partners. Product Development Support Engage suppliers early in product development to ensure readiness and alignment with cost, quality, and timeline targets. Conduct risk assessments and support technical validation, tooling maturity, and process robustness. Oversee supplier activities through development, pre-series, and SOP phases. Operational Excellence & Cost Optimization Identify and develop optimal supply sources considering cost, capacity, and market dynamics. Manage supplier relocations, bottlenecks, and strategic volume shifts. Drive material cost reduction and supplier structure optimization across product lifecycle. Support cross-functional initiatives to improve product design, logistics, and manufacturing efficiency. Compliance & Budget Management Ensure sourcing decisions and supplier performance meet internal standards and regulatory requirements. Manage departmental budget and personnel planning in alignment with business needs. Promote cost awareness and consequence management within the team. Continuous Improvement Evaluate and enhance procurement processes, tools, and systems. Collaborate across departments and with suppliers to improve efficiency, quality, and responsiveness. Knowledge You Should Bring Bachelor’s degree and 10 years of relevant professional experience, with a clear pattern of increasing responsibility Experience in IT, business information systems, supply chain, purchasing, manufacturing, quality or engineering. 4+ years of proven leadership experience Demonstrated ability to balance strategic and operational priorities. Experience managing cross-functional teams and driving process improvement. Familiarity with lean principles and continuous improvement methodologies. Knowledge of DTNA products and internal processes is a plus. Proven track record of achieving both operational and strategic objectives. Strong negotiation and conflict resolution skills. Effective team collaboration and stakeholder engagement. Deep understanding of supplier management and project management processes. Basic legal and regulatory knowledge related to procurement. Awareness of global economic factors influencing sourcing decisions. Knowledge of product development, purchasing, and cost optimization strategies. Ability to balance strategic planning with day-to-day operational execution. Assertiveness, coordination, and decision-making skills. Where We Work This position is open to applicants who can work in (or relocate to) the following location(s)- Detroit, MI US. Relocation assistance for this position is available when the selected candidate meets eligibility criteria. Schedule Type: Hybrid (4 days per week in-office / 1 day remote). This schedule builds our #OneTeamBestTeam culture, provides an unparalleled customer experience, and creates innovative solutions through in-person collaboration. At Daimler Truck North America, we recognize our world is changing faster than ever before. By listening to the needs of today, we’re building to solve with cutting-edge solutions in sustainability and future driving technology across electric, hydrogen and autonomous. These solutions, backed by years of innovative success and achievement, continue DTNA’s legacy as the undisputed industry leader. Our evolving brand portfolio is second to none, including Freightliner Trucks, Western Star, Demand Detroit, Thomas Built Buses, Freightliner Custom Chassis, and Financial Services. Together, we work as one team towards our envisioned future – building a cleaner, safer and more efficient tomorrow for all. That is what we are working toward - for all who keep the world moving. U.S. Visa sponsorship available if you qualify under the following: Hold a valid existing Visa (L1A, L1B, L2, TN, H1B, H4 EAD, OPT EAD, CPT) Daimler Truck North America employees working under an existing U.S. Daimler Truck North America Visa Those eligible for a TN Visa (Canadian or Mexican National working in an Engineering, Accounting or Scientific Technologist capacity with an aligning degree) Those eligible for an L-1 (inter-company) Daimler Truck visa under the Corporate Blanket L-1 program would require at least one-year of qualifying experience in the last three years Additional Information Final candidate must successfully complete a criminal background check Final candidate may be required to successfully complete a pre-employment drug screen Contractors, professional services, or other contingent workers should confirm with their local agency if they are eligible to apply for FTE positions EEO - Disabled/Veterans Daimler Truck North America is committed to workforce inclusion and providing an environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, age, marital status, family relationship, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression (including transgender and transitioning status), genetic information, or veteran status. For an accommodation or special assistance with applying for a posted position, please contact our Human Resources department at 503-745-8982 or toll free 800-206-3369. For TTY/TDD enabled call 503-745-2137 or toll free 866-355-6935.
Posted 1 week ago