Director of Shocks

*Job Title:

Director of Shocks

*Hiring Location(s):

Southfield/Skokie

Company Overview - https://www.driv.com/

DRiV is a unique $6+ billion dollar global start-up company built from the combined strengths of Tenneco, Federal-Mogul and Öhlins. Our foundation reaches from the Model T to the Model E, and includes 31 of the best known and respected aftermarket brands, including 14 brands 100 years or older. Our global scale and longtime partnerships with the world's leading manufacturers give DRiV a unique competitive advantage. We are driven to elevate the ride experience through technology and high performance solutions, delivering innovation, quality and unparalleled service to our Aftermarket and OE customers. Our 31,000 team members throughout 25 countries around the world work as one team, driving advancements that help our customers get the most from every vehicle, every ride, every race and every journey.

*Job Overview/ Purpose of the Role

Provides strategic leadership and direction to his/her purchasing team (global shocks commodity) to achieve optimal global Purchase related activities in order to develop and execute effective strategies which support safety, quality, profitability, productivity and delivery objectives.

*Key Responsibilities

Leadership Responsibilities

• Support the Company’s mission, vision, values and goals in performance of daily activities


• Responsible for the development, performance feedback, direction and leadership of all colleagues in the department including mentoring, coaching, counseling and corrective action when situations dictate.


• Provide direction and leadership consistent with company business plan goals.


• Responsible for assisting in the identification, selection and training of purchasing talent.


• Assess and build leadership bench-strength and organizational capabilities while creating a collaborative high performance work environment.


• Provides leadership in assigned purchasing policies and processes including the development, coordination, implementation, maintenance and compliance of purchasing strategies.


• Assess training needs and assist in developing tools to effectively address colleague development in the assigned purchasing team.


• Supports other departments within the organization to reach purchasing objectives.


• Responsible for defining and communicating Purchasing Strategy of global shocks commodity


• Guides the creation of innovative and effective purchasing activities to meet and exceed purchasing objectives.


• Maintain high standards of housekeeping throughout the work area.


• Maintain a positive working relationship with all levels of the organization.


• Sponsors cross functional work teams.

Managerial Responsibilities

• Determine and manage the implementation of the purchasing strategy for global shocks commodity


• Strategies will consider the following objectives:


• Full leveraging of global spending


• Negotiate and administer Long-Term Supply Agreements (LTAs) and managing the relationship of top suppliers.


• Directly manage the commodity managers/purchasing personnel and their corresponding teams across different regions


• Build deep industry and commodity expertise in staff.


• Build a strong commodity management team and process.


• Maintains highly confidential information sensitive to the Company’s business and purchasing strategy.


• Supports negotiations of highly complex vendor contracts requiring escalation for resolution to meet business plan objectives.


• Oversees the development of new suppliers that support strategic growth strategies.


• Responsible for reviewing and approving, per the delegations of authority matrix, sourcing decisions including all long term agreements.


• Manages purchasing team members globally, including commodity assignments and other special projects as needed.


• Analyzes current processes and systems while identifying and implementing activities to improve effectiveness of purchasing activities.


• Ensures team members are assigned to all new program launch teams.


• Ensures support of Customer Service during the quoting process for major programs.


• Prepares reports, presentations and other data as needed.


• Assures compliance with federal, state, local and corporate policies, regulations and laws.


• Ensures adherence to all company policies and procedures (ex. Quality Policy Manual, Colleague Handbook, Level II Procedures etc.)

*Qualifications (Education/ Experience/ Key Competencies)

• Bachelor’s Degree / Masters preferred in related field. 


• Minimum of 15 years experience in automotive industry (aftermarket preferred) with 5 years supervisory/management experience across different regions.


• Demonstrated expertise in purchasing processes and practices along with the ability to set priorities and manage a variety of tasks.


• Ability to work through complex business issues and identify required actions.


• Solid understanding of business planning process.


• Requires leadership ability, excellent interpersonal skills, and the proven ability to develop relationships and influence at all levels within the organization.


• Demonstrated presentation, oral and written communication skills are essential.


• Excellent organizational, analytic and customer service skills.


• Ability to work well with others in a team environment.


• Knowledge of auto industry production, service and quality standards.


• Ability to work in a fast paced environment.


• Proficient in Microsoft Office software.


• Fluent in English, and perform mathematical calculations.


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Others (optional – if applicable e.g. travel frequency)

CPSM

Global management experience across different regions

• #LI-BM2