Indirect Purchasing & Supplier Management Lead

Company Overview: Nippon Seiki is a world-class manufacturer of instruments for vehicles, agricultural, and construction equipment. Established in 1945, Nippon Seiki Co., Ltd. is headquartered in Japan, with numerous facilities worldwide. Nippon Seiki North America, Ltd. ("NSNA"), a group company of Nippon Seiki, located in Auburn Hills, MI, is a tier one supplier of instrument clusters and head-up display units for FCA US, General Motors, BMW, Honda, Harley Davidson, Suzuki, Polaris, Arctic Cat and other OEM's. Purpose of Job The Purchasing & Supplier Management Lead is responsible for leading indirect strategic sourcing, supplier and service provider management, contract administration, cost optimization, supplier risk management, and procurement compliance activities across all NSNA locations. This role develops and executes sourcing strategies that support business objectives, operational requirements, cost-effectiveness, supplier performance, and regulatory compliance. The position manages a broad portfolio of indirect spend categories, including Information Technology, Professional Services, Marketing, Facilities, Maintenance, Repair and Operations (MRO), Corporate Services, Logistics and Transportation Services, Sustainability and ESG Services, Trade Compliance Services, Product Compliance Services, and other indirect goods and services. Working cross-functionally with internal stakeholders, the Lead identifies sourcing opportunities, manages supplier selection and negotiations, supports contract development and administration, monitors supplier performance and risk, and drives cost reduction and continuous improvement initiatives. The role also supports supplier-related cybersecurity and TISAX requirements, regulatory compliance, sustainability objectives, and third-party risk management activities. In addition, this position oversees third-party purchasing and supply chain service providers supporting critical business functions, including sustainability and ESG compliance, trade compliance, customs and import/export activities, product regulatory compliance, logistics and transportation, supply chain consulting, and supplier risk management programs. The Lead is responsible for establishing appropriate performance expectations, monitoring service delivery, and ensuring providers meet contractual, compliance, quality, cost, and business requirements while delivering maximum value to NSNA. Major Duties/Responsibilities Lead strategic sourcing initiatives, supplier evaluations, RFQ/RFP processes, commercial negotiations, contract administration, and supplier selection activities for indirect procurement categories Manage third-party purchasing and supply chain service providers, including sustainability/ESG consultants, trade compliance providers, customs brokers, logistics providers, product compliance specialists, and other outsourced service partners Partner with internal stakeholders across all NSNA locations and PCNs to identify business requirements and develop sourcing strategies that balance cost, quality, service, compliance, risk, and operational objectives Develop and maintain supplier performance management programs, service-level agreements (SLAs), corrective action processes, and supplier development initiatives Identify and implement cost reduction, supplier consolidation, value engineering, and productivity improvement opportunities across indirect spend categories and service contracts Support supplier risk management activities, including supplier qualification, cybersecurity assessments, data protection requirements, business continuity evaluations, financial risk monitoring, and TISAX-related supplier compliance Administer commercial contracts and ensure compliance with contractual requirements, performance expectations, pricing agreements, renewal terms, and applicable regulatory requirements. Develop procurement KPIs, spend analytics, supplier scorecards, management reporting, and executive presentations to support data-driven decision making Support implementation, standardization, and continuous improvement of procurement policies, procedures, governance requirements, and procurement technology platforms Education, Experience And Knowledge

MBA or advanced degree is a plus

If domestic travel is necessary, valid drivers’ license is required. If international travel is necessary, valid passport is required.

Initiative/ Results Driven Job Knowledge Judgment/ Decision Making Leading Others Resource Management Team work