Director, Purchasing

Woodbridge is a privately-owned company offering innovative material technologies for applications in automotive, commercial, recreational, packaging, healthcare and building products. In addition to manufacturing operations, the company also offers a full array of services including: chemical research and development, product and process engineering, tooling, technical support and accredited laboratory testing. Woodbridge operates more than 46 facilities across 9 countries—employing over 7,500 teammates and serving more than 600 customers worldwide.
 

Job Grade: Director (D1) 

Business Unit: Corporate 

Hiring Manager: Joseph Plati 

Role Purpose:

• Drive and deliver global sourcing strategy for components and MRO leveraging sustainable suppliers in low-cost jurisdictions resulting in the highest quality parts at the most competitive cost
• Lead team of Global Components purchasing, MRO and Supplier Quality Assurance(SQA) to ensure suppliers deliver on time, within budget and within quality specifications whilst maintaining continuity of supply
• Maintain positive supplier relations, negotiate best cost contracts and monitor supplier performance
• Develop and monitor cost-reduction strategies and alternative sourcing strategies
• Leverage the company’s buying power to optimize costs, access new suppliers, reduce lead times and guarantee supply

Major Responsibilities and Activities

People & Team

• Lead the Global components purchasing, MRO, Supplier Quality Assurance (SQA) disciplines to achieve service and performance objectives, develop best in class processes
• Work with cross functional disciplines and multiple regions to optimize purchases
• Lead Woodbridge Production System (WPS) for Global purchasing and SQA
• Responsible for global standardization compliance, ensuring legislative and regulatory requirements are met
• Update, define and develop purchasing policies, standards and procedure and ongoing gap closure monitoring
• Support Commercial and business segment teams as the global components purchasing lead, approval of global components cost structure for new program quotations
• Lead, manage and mentor the global team to meet all global purchasing, SQA objectives, strategies, and tactical execution
• Ensure corporate strategic objective alignment and performance targets are established and achieved
• Provide direction for ongoing new supplier development, strategic and diverse sourcing strategies, to achieve the launch of one new development product per year, increasing sales awards – Diversity Supplier Development Council member
• Development of the department training programs and courses, enabling opportunities for advancement and a more dynamic purchasing and quality team

Performance, Cost & Customers/suppliers

• Develop strategic sourcing strategies including cost-reduction strategies and alternative sourcing strategies
• Develop and manage pipeline/network of suppliers to ensure there is continuity of supply and availability of alternate sourcing based on qualifications, performance, lead times, customer service/support, cost and in accordance with sustainability and ethical purchasing standards
• Monitor, evaluate and improve supplier performance on a continuous basis
• Encourage continuous improvement in competitive bidding practices
• Develop and Implement Global Components Purchasing, MRO objectives, strategies and establish overall performance targets, inclusive of cost reduction, covering all Business Segments, commodities, services and supplier processes
• Support Business segment customers ensuring continuity of supply and work with suppliers on any quality disputes and to reduce lead times
• Develop SQA objectives and achieve world class quality and meet TS / IATF regulations
• Develop further insourcing components strategies, through validation of cost models, global benchmarking, leverage of spend, raw materials tracking, to maintain and control significant cost drivers
• Strategic alignment with new product development, supporting corporate objectives for new product launches, strengthening, aligning the supply chain to reduce total product cost and improve WFC value added position
• Establish and report on measurable performance metrics tied to reported financials, to executive leadership and the board of directors
• Development of overall vendor base and spend report system to improve data collection

Administrative

• Ensure compliance of global purchase order terms and conditions, and the supplier quality manual, monitor and maintain gap closure working with in-house council
• Approval of component purchasing spot buy PO’s and component tooling invoices
• Approval department expense reports, management of vacation scheduling
• Develop department budgets; Components Purchasing and SQA

Minimum Qualifications, Formal Education, Certification or Equivalent

• Post-Secondary Degree in Business, Engineering or Purchasing related
• SCMP

Working Experience

• 10+ years direct progressive automotive experience in purchasing, sales and or quality management
• 7-10 years management experience in fast paced environment
• 5-7 years in contract facilitation and negotiation
• 5+ years in leading global professional purchasers and SQA function
• 5+ years in global automotive supply chain development and implementation
• 3+ years in lean manufacturing or Toyota production system

Additional Qualifications

• Knowledge of TS16949 and the new IATF quality requirements
• Experience working in a diverse cultural environment within a global complex corporation
• Solid track record in development of budgets, cost savings strategies and meeting targets

Explore your future. Apply today.

Woodbridge is committed to fostering a diverse workplace. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and consider applicants without regard to race, colour, ancestry, creed, place of origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, family status, disability, or any other protected status. If you have any accommodation requirements, please let us know, and we will do our best to meet your needs in accordance with applicable local legislation.