Purchasing Director- North America

Job description

Job descriptions may display in multiple languages based on your language selection. What we offer: At Magna, you can expect an engaging and dynamic environment where you can help to develop industry-leading automotive technologies. We invest in our employees, providing them with the support and resources they need to succeed. As a member of our global team, you can expect exciting, varied responsibilities as well as a wide range of development prospects. Because we believe that your career path should be as unique as you are. Group Summary: The Magna Exteriors portfolio of products includes access systems such as liftgates, exterior trim, modular systems, front-end modules including fascia, active aerodynamic systems and other lightweight structural components for automotive, commercial truck and other industrial markets. Recognized globally as an innovator in all aspects of vehicle exteriors, Magna provides everything needed, from materials development and design through manufacturing and assembly, to help automakers create sleek, state-of-the-art vehicles across the world. Job Responsibilities: POSITION SUMMARY: The Purchasing Director- North America will lead strategic sourcing and competitive bidding, ensuring full compliance with procurement policies and procedures. This role is responsible for developing and executing end-to-end commodity and supply chain strategies across all commodities and services to maximize value, leverage, standardization, and position Purchasing as a key profit contributor. ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: • Define and lead strategic sourcing objectives aligned with leadership, corporate policy, and business priorities. • Direct and coordinate Purchasing Managers to develop and execute sourcing strategies and deliver functional targets. • Establish and manage procurement performance frameworks covering supplier performance, quality, cost, service, and material availability. • Own annual procurement budgeting, cost planning, variance analysis, and corrective actions in close collaboration with Finance. • Provide deep market and commodity intelligence, including trends, cost drivers, pricing, lead times, and supplier capabilities. • Lead category strategies for product development to improve supply chain efficiency and reduce total cost. • Drive sustainable cost reductions through negotiation, leverage, supplier rationalization, and process optimization. • Build and manage a competitive, globally leveraged supplier base and maintain strong relationships with strategic partners. • Lead and develop a high‑performance purchasing organization, fostering cross‑functional collaboration, best‑practice sharing, and internal customer excellence. • Act as a change ambassador, transforming the organization toward higher efficiency, stronger cost discipline, and positioning Procurement as a key business partner. Expanded responsibilities: In addition to the tasks listed here, the job holder is required to carry out individual assignments as directed by their supervisor, which are inherent to their role or arise from operational necessities. Remarks: The job holder must be familiar with and adhere to the processes, regulations, and procedures practiced within the company. This includes, among others, the company's mission statement, organizational structure, quality management manual, procedural instructions, work instructions, operating regulations, environmental protection and occupational safety guidelines, Code of Conduct and Ethics, and guidelines of the MAGNA Employee Charter. COMPETENCIES: • Demonstrated ability to perform effectively under pressure with high stress resilience and frustration tolerance. • Strong self‑motivation with a hands‑on, proactive approach and the ability to work independently. • Highly developed communication, negotiation, and influencing skills. • Proven capability to coordinate and foster effective interdisciplinary collaboration. • Methodical, structured, and analytical working style with strong problem‑solving capabilities. • Sound judgment with well‑developed decision‑making skills. • Strategic, conceptual, innovative, and commercially driven mindset. • Confident and effective presentation skills at all organizational levels. • Profound expertise in cost analysis and cost‑effectiveness assessments (e.g. cost accounting, cost breakdowns). • In‑depth knowledge of international contract law. • Strong leadership skills in training, coaching, motivating, and building high‑performing teams. EDUCATION: • Graduate degree in Business Administration, Economics, Industrial or Mechanical Engineering with a focus on Purchasing, or equivalent qualification. • Several years of experience in Purchasing and Strategic Sourcing within a manufacturing environment, preferably automotive (e.g. welding plants, body‑in‑white lines, presses, molding and thermoforming tools). • Established professional network within the automotive industry, including OEMs and Tier suppliers, considered an asset. • Solid project management experience. • Business‑fluent in English; additional languages are an advantage. • Strong financial acumen with advanced data analytics capabilities. • High proficiency with standard IT systems, including MS Office, SAP or comparable ERP systems. Awareness, Unity, Empowerment: At Magna, we believe that a diverse workforce is critical to our success. That’s why we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We hire on the basis of experience and qualifications, and in consideration of job requirements, regardless of, in particular, color, ancestry, religion, gender, origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability or gender identity. Magna takes the privacy of your personal information seriously. We discourage you from sending applications via email or traditional mail to comply with GDPR requirements and your local Data Privacy Law. AI-Assisted Screening Disclosure As part of our commitment to a fair, consistent, and efficient recruitment process, we may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in the initial screening of applications submitted through our Workday system. These tools help identify qualifications and experience that align with the role requirements. Please note that AI is used solely to support our recruiters. Final decisions are always made by the hiring manager and the hiring team. Importantly, no applicant data is shared externally through these AI tools. All information remains securely within our systems and is handled in accordance with our privacy and data protection policies. Under conditions defined by applicable law, you may have the right to request an explanation of how AI is used to support decision-making. If you have any questions or concerns about this process, feel free to contact our Talent Attraction team. Worker Type: Regular / Permanent Group: Magna Exteriors