Manager, Supply Base Development and North America Market Intelligence

Procurement Localization & Supplier Intelligence

The role "Procurement Localization & Supplier Intelligence" drives the development of a competitive, resilient, and localized supply base within the USMCA region, ensuring long-term supply continuity, cost competitiveness, and sourcing readiness for Mercedes‑Benz. It leads critical upstream purchasing activities, including market screening, supplier assessment, and the development of nomination-ready suppliers across all tiers. The role builds deep market and technology expertise and ensures alignment between regional execution and central Purchasing Germany requirements.

By identifying supply gaps, advancing localization and Tier‑N build-up, and providing cost transparency and sourcing options, the role directly influences nomination decisions, commodity strategies, and supply chain resilience. It acts as a key integrator of localization, cost, and risk considerations into MSK and global purchasing frameworks.

Key Objectives
- Build a qualified, nomination-ready supplier base (USMCA compliant) and close Tier‑N gaps
- Deliver market intelligence, technology insights, and competitive benchmarks
- Ensure cost transparency and competitiveness (e.g., should-cost, benchmarks) - Enable sourcing decisions via pre-RFQ strategies, supplier shortlists, and readiness
- Drive localization and resilience strategies and integrate into commodity / MSK frameworks
- Act as interface to central Purchasing Germany ensuring alignment and governance

Essential Functions:

• Supplier Base Development & Localization (30%) Build and develop a qualified, nomination-ready supplier pool (USMCA compliant) Identify and close Tier‑N supply gaps to enable deep localization Drive supplier capability assessments, development, and readiness
• Market Intelligence & Supplier Screening (25%) Conduct market screening and supplier identification aligned with global and regional requirements Develop technology and supplier landscape transparency (L4L, trends, competitors) Provide market intelligence reports and benchmarking insights
• Sourcing Preparation & Strategy Enablement (20%) Define pre-RFQ supplier shortlists and sourcing strategies Ensure supplier readiness for nomination and sourcing processes Contribute to commodity strategies and MSK frameworks
• Cost Analysis & Competitiveness (15%) Develop cost breakdowns (should-cost) and benchmarks Identify cost optimization potentials and competitive positioning Enable fact-based sourcing and negotiation support
• Localization & Resilience Strategy Integration (10%) Define and implement localization / deep-localization concepts Integrate resilience and risk mitigation measures into supply base strategies Ensure alignment with central Purchasing Germany and global governance

Number of direct reports - 6

Qualifications:

Education, Experience and Necessary Skills all must be met in order to qualify for position.

Education:

This position requires a Bachelor's degree in:
Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Supply Chain/Operations Management, Business Administration, or related area or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience:

A minimum of five (5) years' of relevant professional experience in the following area(s):
Procurement, Supplier Quality, Supplier Management function or related functions.

Necessary Skills, Certifications, etc.:
Technical & Functional Expertise Strong knowledge of procurement, sourcing governance, and supplier management Solid understanding of end-to-end sourcing and nomination processes Experience with MB project frameworks and automotive standards

Analytical Skills Strong ability to analyze complex issues and derive solutions Experience with root cause analysis and supplier improvement actions Data-driven mindset with focus on insights and decision support

Project & Stakeholder Management Proven ability to manage multiple projects and drive cross-functional alignment Strong influencing and negotiation skills in an international environment

Leadership & Communication Results-oriented change agent with strong ownership and accountability Excellent communication skills and intercultural competence Fluency in English required

Networking & Collaboration Strong global procurement network (incl. MP Germany) Effective collaboration across functions, regions, and suppliers

Preferred

Skills:

German and/or Spanish language skills