Lead Category Management Strategist

Job Posting Title Lead Category Management Strategist

Job Description Summary Dauch is seeking a Lead Category Management Strategist to join our world-class team. This is an outstanding opportunity to be part of a leading company in the automotive industry, where you will have the chance to contribute to the flawless execution of our manufacturing processes. This role located at our World Headquarters based in Detroit, MI.The Lead Category Management Strategist drives long-term planning, category strategy development, and continuous improvement across our worldwide footprint.

Serving as the global lead for the designated category, this role executes end-to-end strategic sourcing to deliver cost-effective solutions while upholding Tier 1 automotive standards for quality, capacity, and on-time delivery across all Dauch manufacturing facilities

Job Description:

Serve as the definitive subject matter expert and global category owner in front of executive leadership, delivering routine performance reviews, supply-market forecasts, risk outlooks, and multi-year cost-down strategies with full command of underlying data.

Lead the strategic sourcing process; including request for quotation, evaluation of bids, cost breakdown analysis, negotiation, supplier evaluation, sourcing recommendation, and contracting.

Execute the Global Strategy with the approved supply base, consolidating strategic suppliers while reducing costs, maintaining quality and performance standards and align across all regions.

Collaborate on sourcing strategies for new business programs to ensure timely supplier sourcing and readiness.

Analyze supplier cost structures and market trends to identify opportunities for cost reductions.

Lead and implement process improvements / cost reduction and VAVE activities to improve competitiveness of category spend to meet or exceed budget and business plan targets.

Contribute to annual procurement budget development process and support submission of monthly forecasts to finance team.

Conduct cost and price negotiations and establish long-term agreements with suppliers to deliver the highest value materials that meet cost, quality, and delivery requirements and drive cost savings and supplier performance improvements.

Develop and manage relationships with key suppliers to ensure quality, cost competitiveness, and on-time delivery.

Lead technical sourcing reviews with supply base, systems engineering, component engineering and supplier quality engineering contacts to close out all issues and ensure cross-functional support of sourcing recommendations. Identify and mitigate risks in the supply chain, including capacity, price fluctuations, and geopolitical factors.

Work with internal teams (engineering, manufacturing, finance) to align procurement strategies with company objectives.

All other duties as assigned.

Required Skills and Education Bachelor’s degree required, preferred major in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or other related field
10+ years previous purchasing or related manufacturing experience preferred

Preferred experience with iron castings

Thorough knowledge of industry purchasing policies, procedures, and commercial practices

Understanding of global sourcing, landed cost, and supply chain risk management

Strong negotiation skills with a history of cost savings and supplier performance improvement

Proficiency in ERP systems (Oracle / Plex Preferred) and data analytics tools

About Dauch:

Dauch Corporation is a premier Driveline and Metal Forming supplier serving the global automotive industry with a powertrain-agnostic product portfolio that supports electric, hybrid, and internal combustion vehicles. The company is headquartered in Detroit, MI, with operations that span 24…