Position summary
we are seeking a strategic and results-driven senior purchasing manager (country lead) to lead all purchasing activities across five manufacturing sites in mexico for a leading automotive industry supplier. This role will have full country-level responsibility for both direct and indirect materials, driving cost competitiveness, supplier performance, risk mitigation, and alignment with global procurement strategies.
the sr purchasing manager will serve as the key liaison between plant operations, regional/global procurement, and the supplier base, ensuring uninterrupted supply, optimized total cost of ownership (tco), and compliance with automotive industry standards.
key responsibilities
strategic leadership
* develop and execute the country procurement strategy aligned with global and regional objectives.
* lead and coordinate purchasing activities across five manufacturing plants in mexico.
* ensure alignment between sourcing strategies and plant operational requirements (volume, quality, launches, localization).
* act as the primary escalation point for supply, commercial, and contractual issues within the country.
direct materials management
* lead sourcing and negotiation for direct materials including raw materials, components, and production-related commodities.
* drive cost reduction initiatives (va/ve, should-cost analysis, benchmarking, localization).
* support new product launches through early supplier involvement and capacity validation.
* ensure supplier compliance with quality, delivery, and automotive standards (iatf, apqp, ppap).
indirect procurement oversight
* oversee sourcing of indirect materials and services including mro, capital equipment, tooling, logistics, facility services, and professional services.
* standardize indirect procurement practices across all plants to leverage scale and optimize spend.
* partner with operations, engineering, and finance to control budgets and maximize roi on capital investments.
supplier performance & risk management
* develop and maintain a high-performing supplier base with strong qcd (quality, cost, delivery) metrics.
* implement supplier scorecards and continuous improvement plans.
* identify and mitigate supply chain risks, including dual sourcing strategies and contingency planning.
* ensure compliance with corporate ethics, sustainability, and esg standards.
financial & operational impact
* deliver annual cost savings targets and support gross margin improvement initiatives.
* manage procurement budgets and working capital objectives (inventory optimization, payment terms).
* support p&l objectives across all five plants.
team leadership
* lead and develop a country-level purchasing team, including plant buyers and commodity managers.
* build succession plans and strengthen procurement capabilities across sites.
* foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
qualifications
* bachelor's degree in engineering, supply chain, business administration, or related field (mba preferred).
* 10+ years of progressive purchasing experience within the automotive industry.
* minimum 5 years in a leadership role managing multi-site or country-level procurement operations.
* strong experience in both direct and indirect procurement.
* proven track record of cost reduction, supplier negotiations, and supply chain risk mitigation.
* deep understanding of automotive manufacturing processes and quality standards (iatf 16949, apqp, ppap).
* strong financial acumen with experience supporting p&l objectives.
* bilingual spanish/english required.
key competencies
* strategic thinking with strong execution capability
* advanced negotiation and contract management skills
* cross-functional leadership and stakeholder management
* data-driven decision making
* high integrity and ethical standards
* ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, multi-plant environment.