Procurement and Inventory Specialist Lead

Description
Onsite: This role is categorized as onsite. This means the successful candidate is expected to report to Warren, MI on a full-time basis.
The Role
We are seeking a highly organized and proactive Procurement and Inventory Specialist Lead with a strong automotive technical background to support our global Physical and Virtual Test Platforms Labs. This critical role is responsible for the strategic procurement, timely delivery, and effective inventory management of automotive-grade components, materials, tools, and services, ensuring seamless support for vehicle development, validation, and testing activities worldwide.
The successful candidate will bring extensive procurement experience within the automotive industry, combined with strong engineering acumen and the ability to evaluate technical requirements, interpret engineering needs, and support complex vehicle development and testing programs.
A keen attention to detail and the ability to collaborate effectively with engineering teams, lab operations, suppliers, and cross-functional stakeholders are essential for success in this role. The ideal candidate will be skilled at managing multiple priorities, driving cost-effective solutions, and ensuring critical testing resources are available when needed to support program objectives.
Key Responsibilities:
Procurement & Sourcing:

• Source and procure automotive-grade materials, components, and services from approved vendors.
• Negotiate contracts, pricing, and delivery terms to optimize cost, quality, and performance.
• Develop and execute procurement strategies aligned with lab and organizational goals.
• Identify and lead cost-saving initiatives and process improvements.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with engineering, lab operations, fleet, and quality teams to understand technical requirements and ensure supplier compliance.
• Support new product launches and prototype builds by coordinating procurement activities and timelines.
• Collaborate with internal teams to forecast demand and manage delivery schedules.

Order & Inventory Management

• Initiate and manage work orders and shopping carts for parts, tools, and lab materials.
• Ensure procurement requests are accurately documented and submitted through appropriate channels.
• Track order status and resolve delays or discrepancies with suppliers or stakeholders.
• Implement and manage an inventory system to track tools, equipment, and parts across lab operations.
• Maintain accurate records of purchases, pricing, and inventory to ensure alignment with project schedules and budgets.
• Proficient in inventory management systems with a focus on maintaining accurate lab stock levels.
• Evaluate incoming orders for technical feasibility and ensure alignment with engineering specifications and project objectives.

Purchase Order (PO) Issuance

• Manage end-to-end purchase order processes, from creation to delivery by leveraging procurement platforms such as eSAP and eMERGE to ensure timely supplier follow-up and effective issue resolution.
• Ensure all orders contain precise specifications and clearly defined delivery requirements to support accurate and timely fulfillment.

Order Fulfillment & Logistics

• Coordinate with suppliers to ensure timely delivery of goods and services per PO terms.
• Monitor delivery performance and logistics through integrated tracking systems.
• Collaborate with the engineering and lab operations teams to coordinate global material shipments.

Quality Assurance, Compliance, Invoice & Payment

• Oversee inspection of incoming materials to ensure quality standards are met.
• Review and approve supplier invoices submitted through GM's financial systems.
• Ensure payments are processed accurately and timely, aligned with delivery verification and contract terms.

Supplier Oversight & Compliance

• Continuously monitor supplier performance, conduct audits, and implement corrective actions for issues related to delivery, quality, or compliance.
• Stay current on automotive industry trends, supplier innovations, and evolving regulatory requirements.

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Business, or a related field.
• 5 years of procurement, engineering operations, or lab support experience, preferably within the automotive industry.
• In-depth knowledge of automotive systems, subsystems, components, instrumentation and testing tools, material specifications, and automotive supplier ecosystems.
• Proficient in procurement and workflow management systems, including eSAP, eMERGE, Ariba, Jira, and Confluence.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and analytical skills.
• Strong attention to detail and excellent organizational skills.
• Familiarity with automotive quality standards and compliance requirements.
• Understanding of vehicle development lifecycle, including key milestones and supplier integration.

What Will Give You A Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)

• Experience using Jira and Confluence for issue tracking, project collaboration, requirements management, and documentation of vehicle configurations.
• Experience supporting engineering labs, vehicle test operations, prototype builds, or validation environments is highly desirable.
• Support budget planning, spend tracking, forecasting, and financial reporting activities to ensure procurement decisions align with program objectives and funding constraints.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and specifications to support accurate procurement and supplier communication.

This job is not eligible for relocation benefits. Any relocation costs would be the responsibility of the selected candidate.
GM does not provide immigration-related sponsorship for this role. Do not apply for this role if you will need GM immigration sponsorship now or in the future. This includes direct company sponsorship, entry of GM as the immigration employer of record on a government form, and any work authorization requiring a written submission or other immigration support from the company (e.g., H1-B, OPT, STEM OPT, CPT, TN, J-1, etc.)
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