Indirect Fulfillment Buyer - Blue Oval Michigan Battery Plant

In this position... 

We are seeking a highly adaptable and experienced individual to join our team as an Indirect Buyer / Program Analyst, located on-site at both our state-of-the-art Blue Oval Michigan Battery Plant & World Headquarters building. This is a unique opportunity to play a crucial role in the initial ramp-up of the facility and then transition into a key procurement position. Initially, this role will function as an Indirect Program Analyst, focusing on driving the on-time sourcing of necessary indirect materials to support the plant's launch and user testing of the new SAP procurement system. As the plant stabilizes, the role will evolve into an On-Site Indirect Fulfilment Buyer, responsible for managing routine and emergency procurement needs to ensure the smooth operation of the facility. This position requires a proactive, problem-solving mindset, strong organizational skills, and the ability to thrive in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
 

What you'll do…
 

• Coordinate with all areas of the Indirect Purchasing Team to ensure efficient planning and execution of sourcing and contracts, and alignment of BOBM sourcing strategies within Ford to maximize leverage, operation efficiency and quality.
• Track and report on the progress of sourcing activities, identifying and mitigating potential delays.
• Expedite orders and resolve any issues related to delivery, quality, or pricing.
• Execute spot buys of indirect materials and services for BOBM as needed, ensuring timely delivery and cost-effectiveness.
• Proactively identify and mitigate risks to ensure Indirect Purchasing meets all program milestones for BOBM.
• Work closely with engineering, maintenance, and operations teams to identify and prioritize indirect material requirements for the plant's launch and ensure all necessary systems are in place.
• Support on-site reviews at BOBM as required, including test and use of the Purchasing IERP system for the BOBM entity
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders to understand their requirements and provide procurement support.
• Work with finance to ensure accurate invoice processing and payment to suppliers.
• Participate in cross-functional teams to develop and implement sourcing strategies.
• Monitor supplier performance and address any issues related to quality, delivery, or service.
• Conduct regular supplier evaluations and audits.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve supplier relationships and performance.
• Identify and implement cost-saving opportunities through strategic sourcing, negotiation, and process improvement.
• Analyze spending patterns and identify areas for consolidation.
• Negotiate favorable payment terms with suppliers.
• Ensure compliance with company policies and procedures, including ethical sourcing guidelines.
• Identify and mitigate potential supply chain risks.
• Support internal and external audits.
• Maintain a physical presence at the Blue Oval Michigan Battery Plant to provide immediate procurement support to on-site teams.
• Attend on-site meetings and communicate effectively with plant personnel.
• Proactively identify and address any procurement-related issues that may arise at the plant.
• Support emergency procurement needs as required.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the procurement process.
• Participate in training and development programs to enhance procurement skills.

You'll have... 

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in indirect purchasing, preferably within a manufacturing environment. Experience in the automotive industry is a plus.
• Experience with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) is required.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify and resolve issues proactively.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and collaboration skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word). Experience with ERP systems (e.g., SAP) is a plus.
• Highly adaptable and flexible.
• Proactive and results oriented.
• Strong work ethic and attention to detail.
• Ability to build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced and changing environment.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Even better, you may have...

• Experience with battery manufacturing or related industries.
• Experience in