Job Posting Title
Lead Category Management StrategistJob Description Summary
Dauch is seeking a Lead Category Management Strategist to join our world-class team. This is an outstanding opportunity to be part of a leading company in the automotive industry, where you will have the chance to contribute to the flawless execution of our manufacturing processes. This role located at our World Headquarters based in Detroit, MI.The Lead Category Management Strategist drives long-term planning, category strategy development, and continuous improvement across our worldwide footprint. Serving as the global lead for the designated category, this role executes end-to-end strategic sourcing to deliver cost-effective solutions while upholding Tier 1 automotive standards for quality, capacity, and on-time delivery across all Dauch manufacturing facilities
Job Description:
Serve as the definitive subject matter expert and global category owner in front of executive leadership, delivering routine performance reviews, supply-market forecasts, risk outlooks, and multi-year cost-down strategies with full command of underlying data.
Lead the strategic sourcing process; including request for quotation, evaluation of bids, cost breakdown analysis, negotiation, supplier evaluation, sourcing recommendation, and contracting.
Execute the Global Strategy with the approved supply base, consolidating strategic suppliers while reducing costs, maintaining quality and performance standards and align across all regions.
Collaborate on sourcing strategies for new business programs to ensure timely supplier sourcing and readiness.
Analyze supplier cost structures and market trends to identify opportunities for cost reductions.
Lead and implement process improvements / cost reduction and VAVE activities to improve competitiveness of category spend to meet or exceed budget and business plan targets.
Contribute to annual procurement budget development process and support submission of monthly forecasts to finance team.
Conduct cost and price negotiations and establish long-term agreements with suppliers to deliver the highest value materials that meet cost, quality, and delivery requirements and drive cost savings and supplier performance improvements.
Develop and manage relationships with key suppliers to ensure quality, cost competitiveness, and on-time delivery.
Lead technical sourcing reviews with supply base, systems engineering, component engineering and supplier quality engineering contacts to close out all issues and ensure cross-functional support of sourcing recommendations. Identify and mitigate risks in the supply chain, including capacity, price fluctuations, and geopolitical factors.
Work with internal teams (engineering, manufacturing, finance) to align procurement strategies with company objectives.
All other duties as assigned.
Required Skills and Education
Bachelor’s degree required, preferred major in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or other related field
10+ years previous purchasing or related manufacturing experience preferred
Preferred experience with iron castings
Thorough knowledge of industry purchasing policies, procedures, and commercial practices
Understanding of global sourcing, landed cost, and supply chain risk management
Strong negotiation skills with a history of cost savings and supplier performance improvement
Proficiency in ERP systems (Oracle / Plex Preferred) and data analytics tools
About Dauch:
Dauch Corporation is a premier Driveline and Metal Forming supplier serving the global automotive industry with a powertrain-agnostic product portfolio that supports electric, hybrid, and internal combustion vehicles. The company is headquartered in Detroit, MI, with operations that span 24 countries and more than 175 locations. Formed through the acquisition of Dowlais Group plc and its subsidiaries - GKN Automotive and GKN Powder Metallurgy, Dauch unites deep engineering roots with global manufacturing capabilities and an entrepreneurial spirit to move mobility forward. Visit www.dauch.com to learn more.
Dauch will not discriminate against any Associate or applicant for employment because of age, race, color, gender, religion, weight, height, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic history or information, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, national origin, or other characteristic protected by law. Dauch will take affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed, and that Associates are treated equally during employment, without regard to their age, race, color, gender, religion, weight, height, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic history or information, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, national origin, or other characteristic protected by law. For the Disabled Job Seeker: We offer reasonable accommodations for qualified disabled individuals who are applicants for employment. To request assistance or accommodations, please e-mail [email protected]. Dauch is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or a related field
- 10+ years of purchasing or related manufacturing experience
- Experience with iron castings
- Knowledge of industry purchasing policies, procedures, and commercial practices
- Understanding of global sourcing, landed cost, and supply chain risk management
- Strong negotiation skills with demonstrated cost savings and supplier performance improvement
- Proficiency in ERP systems
- Experience with Oracle or Plex
- Experience with data analytics tools
Dauch Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Dauch and has not been reviewed or approved by Dauch.
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Healthcare Strength — Healthcare coverage is presented as comprehensive, including medical, dental, vision, life and disability coverage, plus mental health support and wellness programming. Affordable options are also indicated by references to free or low-cost health insurance in some roles.
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Retirement Support — Retirement support is positioned as a meaningful part of total rewards through 401(k) matching and an additional employer retirement contribution in some cases. Profit sharing and performance bonuses are also cited as add-ons that can lift overall compensation beyond base pay.
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Fair & Transparent Compensation — Pay is frequently characterized as fair or competitive in certain plant roles, especially when shift differentials and premium weekend rates apply. Overtime premiums are framed as a clear, structured way to increase take-home pay for those working extra hours.
Dauch Insights
What We Do
As a leading global Tier 1 Automotive and Mobility Supplier, AAM (NYSE: AXL) designs, engineers and manufactures Driveline and Metal Forming technologies to support electric, hybrid and internal combustion vehicles. Headquartered in Detroit with over 80 facilities in 18 countries, AAM is bringing the future faster for a safer and more sustainable future. We work together to support our customers on global and regional platforms with a focus on quality, operational excellence and technology leadership.
Why Work With Us
Every member of #TeamAAM is emPOWERed to make a difference from day one. You’ll have the opportunity to grow, embrace challenges, build your skills and bring your authentic self to work every day, all while helping to shape the future of mobility for AAM… and the world. Be part of the future from day one at AAM.
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