Manager, Category Purchasing

Yazaki is a global leader in the research, development, and delivery of vehicle power and data solutions.

Yazaki works with virtually every major auto manufacturer globally, and we've strived to maintain strategic and stable growth throughout our 84-year history. Today, we're looking for energetic people with the potential to perform and the ability to strengthen - and thrive in - the positive work environment we pride ourselves on.

Location: Canton, MI, USA

What we are looking for:

Yazaki is looking for a Manager, Category Purchasing to join our Purchasing team in Canton, MI. This person is responsible for all day-to-day activities for commodity purchasing. They will manage all contracts for products related to Yazaki North America, review and revise contracts, manage commodity strategies, manage supplier relationships, performance, and support the end users. The ideal candidate will enjoy working in a collaborative and action-driven environment making lasting impacts on the organization. This position is hybrid.

What you will be doing:

Departmental Leadership & Management

• Lead and monitor performance of direct reports, providing coaching, feedback, and guidance to ensure team effectiveness and development.

• Provide input to the departmental Operating Expense budget and oversee budget execution, ensuring alignment with organizational financial goals.

• Conduct annual performance evaluations for direct reports and provide recommendations for compensation adjustments.

• Cascade organizational and leadership objectives into actionable annual goals for the department.

• Track and report monthly progress against departmental objectives and key performance indicators (KPIs), taking proactive action to meet targets.

• Implement career development and training plans to enhance employee growth, skill development, and succession readiness.

Category Management

• Ensure OEM Minority-Based Enterprise (MBE) targets are integrated into sourcing strategies and met consistently.

• Maintain and update Category Strategies on a quarterly basis, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and market trends.

• Enforce Category Strategies across the team, providing guidance and oversight to direct reports.

• Serve as Global Category Team Lead representing YNA, collaborating with regional and international teams.

• Identify potential new sub-categories for sourcing initiatives and develop corresponding sourcing strategies.

• Support creation of departmental forecasts for annual spend and savings, tracking progress and identifying opportunities for improvement.

• Collaborate with Global Purchasing Teams, including Europe, Brazil, India, Mexico, China, and Japan, to align strategies and share best practices.

• Monitor and manage spend and savings performance for assigned categories and sub-categories, ensuring financial and operational targets are met.

• Develop and implement sourcing strategies for each category and sub-category to optimize supplier selection, pricing, and contract outcomes.

• Oversee supplier relationships, ensuring performance, quality, and strategic alignment with business objectives.

• Lead sourcing and contracting activities for new business and support supplier negotiations as required.

What you will bring to the table:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field

• 5-10 years leadership experience

• Ability to work in complex project organization and to understand Purchasing and Program goals and tasks in global & local perspective

• Understanding of automotive market (2nd tier suppliers, OEMs, etc.)

What we can provide you:

• A safe collaborative learning work environment that stimulates creativity and exploration

• Diverse teams of experts

• Resources from around the globe

• Supportive leadership and team members to help you do your best work

• Opportunities for professional growth

• Competitive compensation and benefits package including incentive compensation, 401K match, tuition assistance and a generous holiday schedule

• A hybrid work schedule

Yazaki North America is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, handicap, veteran status, or other legally protected status or characteristic. Equal opportunity extends to all aspects of the employment relationship. Yazaki North America complies with federal and state equal employment opportunity laws and strives to keep the workplace free from all forms of harassment.