Category Implementation Buyer

Ford Motor Company

In this position...

Ford Motor Company is seeking a strategic, results-driven Category Implementation Buyer to lead sourcing and category strategy for Engineering/Professional Services. This role is responsible for shaping the future of Services procurement by driving cost competitiveness, advancing sourcing strategies, and enabling Product Development through high-performing supplier partnerships.

The ideal candidate brings a strong combination of commercial acumen, stakeholder alignment, and forward-thinking strategy, transitioning traditional purchasing models into outcome-based, value-driven engagements that deliver measurable cost savings and operational efficiency.

• Strategic thinker who challenges the status quo and drives innovation in sourcing approaches
• Cost-focused leader who proactively identifies and delivers value beyond traditional savings
• Strong collaborator who can influence business stakeholders with credibility
• Data-driven decision-maker with a passion for continuous improvement and operational excellence
• Influential leader who drives alignment across teams, customers, while fostering a high-performing, accountable culture
• Resilient and adaptable, able to navigate ambiguity and lead through transformation

Operational Excellence & Governance

• Ensure timely execution of sourcing events, contract renewals, and compliance with corporate purchasing policies.
• Implement robust contracting frameworks (MSAs, SOWs, SLAs) that incentivize performance and mitigate risk.

What you'll do...

Category Strategy & Transformation

• Lead development and execution of forward-looking category strategies aligned with Product Development priorities, with a strong focus on cost optimization and value delivery.
• Drive transformation from time & material engagements to deliverable-based, performance-driven sourcing models to improve cost predictability and accountability.
• Identify and implement innovative sourcing levers including global benchmarking, should-cost modeling, demand management, and supplier consolidation.

Cost Leadership & Financial Performance

• Deliver year-over-year cost savings through strategic negotiations, commercial restructuring, and continuous market testing.
• Analyze spend, supplier cost structures, and industry benchmarks to uncover cost reduction opportunities and improve total cost of ownership.
• Partner with Finance and other key stakeholders to align budgets, forecasts, and sourcing strategies with enterprise cost targets.

Supplier Strategy & Relationship Management

• Build and manage a high-performing, competitive supply base across specialized service providers.
• Lead supplier negotiations for complex, high-value contracts, ensuring optimal pricing, terms, and service levels.
• Drive supplier performance through KPIs, SLAs, and continuous improvement initiatives focused on efficiency, quality, and innovation.
• Continuously improve procurement processes, tools, and systems to enhance efficiency, transparency, and data-driven decision-making.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Act as a key interface between Supply Chain, Business Owner Stakeholders, Finance, Legal, and external partners to ensure alignment on sourcing strategy and execution.
• Influence stakeholders to adopt best-in-class sourcing practices and challenge legacy ways of working.
• Lead or support strategic initiatives, workshops, and supplier engagements (e.g., tech days, benchmarking reviews) to drive innovation and capability building

You'll have...

Minimum

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Scheduling, Business, or related field.
• 3+ years of experience in supply chain, purchasing, or category management, with exposure to services or technical procurement.
• Strong track record of delivering measurable cost savings and driving strategic sourcing initiatives.
• Experience developing and executing category strategies, including market analysis, benchmarking, and supplier segmentation.
• Advanced negotiation skills with experience in complex commercial agreements and contract structuring.
• Ability to translate technical requirements into effective sourcing and commercial strategies.
• Strong financial and analytical acumen, including spend analysis and cost modeling.
• Proven ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders and lead without direct authority.
• Experience managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced, transformation-driven environment.
• Proficiency in procurement tools (e.g., Ariba), Excel (advanced), and PowerPoint.

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 6-8 and ranges from $63,480-$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.

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

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Change the world with your ideas.

Speak up. We’re listening. At Ford, we believe the right ideas, and the people behind them, can move an entire industry. Here, you'll work with teams who value your voice, push bold ideas forward, and leave a mark that lasts.

Support designed to go the distance.

From day one, Ford invests in you with medical benefits built to help you plan for what’s next. You’ll also get support for you and your family that meets you at every step, so you can move forward with confidence.

Ford gives me the space to innovate, to lead, and to serve — all while staying true to who I am as an engineer, educator, and parent. It’s not just a career; it’s a community that drives change.

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