Category Director, E-Mech

At Gentherm, we say, “It’s about the person.” We’re with you on a cold winter day when you turn on your heated seat and steering wheel or helping manage patient body temperature in the operating room, recovering room or intensive care units. We take a human approach with everything we do.

As the global market leader of innovative thermal management and pneumatic comfort technologies for the automotive industry we embrace the opportunity to create and deliver extraordinary solutions that make meaningful differences in everyday life. We do this by improving health, wellness, comfort and energy efficiency.

We embrace an entrepreneurial spirit and combine that with our global leadership to deliver results. Working at Gentherm provides you the opportunity to not only shape the future of the automotive and medical industries, but also influence your career throughout the company. You will be engaged, challenged and inspired by our team to deliver leading thermal technologies that positively impact lives around the world.

IMPACT and OPPORTUNITY:

The Global Category Director for E-Mech (Electro Mechanics) will lead and set the strategy across the organization. Secure and permanently improve competitiveness of Gentherm by ensuring the best direct E-Mech materials in terms of QCD (quality, cost, delivery) and TCO (total cost of ownership) are provided to internal processes.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop & execute category strategies to meet business objectives for cost, quality, fulfillment and innovation with cross functional teams for E-Mech which includes connectors, terminals, cables, wire harnesses, fasteners, clips, tubes and resins
• Control the implementation of Category Purchasing strategies within regional program BOM´s monitoring and providing cost reporting to upper management
• Defines optimization strategies and opportunities per the requirements of Purchasing Excellence
• Establish and manage annual departmental budgets and KPI’s
• Provide external focus with category intelligence, industry insights and technology trends
• Provide key supplier cost information (Best Initial pricing) to BUI’s in support of new business opportunities
• Lead contract development to ensure consistent commercial terms and conditions
• Manage the bid and quote process and supplier selection
• Drive cost reduction activities together with BUI’s to achieve pre-SOP savings targets
• Conduct supplier negotiations and ongoing cost reduction activities
• Support, identify and execute cost reduction ideas as identified internally and via supplier ideation
• Manage any required conflict resolution related to commercial, contractual and supply constraints
• Hire and retain top talent, while simultaneously developing the current staff to maximize their potential
• Define individual targets with directly assigned staff
• Implement effective and efficient organizational structures in collaboration with VP Purchasing
• Inform and involve staff as required by appropriate communication

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Engineering and/or Economics
• Excellent management and communication skills
• Minimum of 10 years of change management experience in a global environment
• Strong negotiation skills
• Persuasiveness, assertiveness and target orientation
• Intercultural experience
• Comprehensive know-how of Purchasing methods and tools
• Solid foundation in ISO TS 16949 especially related to supplier management
• Good practical and theoretical knowledge in Lean management
• Very good (fluent) in English (spoken and written); able to negotiate (contracts) in English language; languages of other Gentherm locations advantageous
• Willingness to travel

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in business, Engineering and/or Economics, alternatively several years of professional experience in a comparable position
• 10+ years of professional experience in a responsible purchasing management position of a global automotive company
• Experiences in managing connectors, terminal, resins

TRAVEL: Up to 25% Global

LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBLITIES: Manages a team of 7 direct reports not necessarily located in the same location

COMPETENCIES:

• Deliver Results
  • Understand the mission and output of your team; set SMART objectives and deliver
• Drive Change
  • Focus on agility and commitment to continuous improvement; Understand and act on internal and external drivers of change
• Build Capability
  • Foster a culture of learning and development; Support individual growth through continuous feedback to achieve personal and professional goals
• Cultivate Innovation
  • Openly embrace, create, implement and support new and innovative ideas, processes and technology that deliver business results

Gentherm is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.