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Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
Hybrid
What you will do:
The Program Buyer coordinates purchasing-related simultaneous engineering activities based on Clarios purchasing processes and the Energy Systems operating model. The role leads and guides a cross-functional purchasing project team across different locations, motivates stakeholders to generate the best possible outcome, and acts as the purchasing representative for assigned programs from RFQ through SOP and launch stabilization. The successful candidate Fulfil external and internal customer expectations through a target-oriented transition from customer RFQ phase to mass production, with clear accountability for price, timing, quality, supplier readiness, and commercial program execution in partnership with the supply base.
How you will do it:
• Responsible for tracking sourcing and launch-related purchasing activities on time, including PPAP readiness, tooling status, sourcing and nominations, prototype orders, sample deliveries, supplier milestones, and launch open points.
• Report supplier readiness, BOM cost status, commercial risks, and project purchasing status to Program Management and Purchasing senior management.
• Prepare and lead supplier negotiations regarding cost, timing, legal and contractual topics, while mirroring customer requirements into supplier commitments and supporting alternative negotiation concepts and make-or-buy decisions.
• Prepare, invite, and execute supplier workshops covering cost-down actions, feasibility, synergies, capacity, supply chain issues, technical constraints, and launch-readiness risks.
• Support cost estimates, target price setting, business case assumptions, and purchased material cost build-up during customer RFQ and program development phases.
• Execute the purchasing process, including RFQ package preparation, RFQ execution, quote analysis, negotiations, supplier nominations, sourcing documentation, and change request processing.
• Process and supervise prototype, sample, tooling, and launch-related orders until structured handover to the plant, Serial Life Buyer, and relevant commodity owners.
• Develop, define, and track cost-saving potentials including VA/VE, design-to-cost, localization, benchmarking, dual sourcing, and supplier productivity actions.
• Support preparation and presentation of project-relevant purchasing data to Program Management, Finance, Engineering, Supplier Quality, Operations, Purchasing leadership, and management board stakeholders when
required.
• Create and maintain expert understanding of supplier markets, key sub-suppliers, capacity constraints, cost drivers, and supplier business relationships relevant to assigned programs.
• Act as purchasing head of project for assigned programs and provide functional leadership to the purchasing project team.
• Monitor safe and timely launch activities and support resolution of issues related to sourcing, cost, supplier readiness, capacity, tooling, delivery, or commercial alignment.
• Act as first escalation level, sparring partner, and trainer for purchasing colleagues and cross-functional team members on program purchasing topics.
• Organize and set up the purchasing project team for assigned programs, ensuring clear roles, interfaces, and open-action tracking across Commodity Management, Serial Life Buying, Supplier Quality, Supplier Development, Operations, Finance, and Engineering.
• Support improvement and challenge of existing purchasing tools and methods, including screening helpful IT tools and digital enablers for project purchasing execution.
What we look for:
Required:
• University degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Economics, Engineering, Operations Management, or equivalent.
• 5+ years of experience in Program Purchasing, Strategic Sourcing, Commodity Management, Supplier Development, Program Management, or Supply Chain Management within an automotive, battery, electronics,
or industrial manufacturing environment.
• Experience supporting customer RFQs, supplier sourcing, supplier nominations, cost tracking, launch readiness, and new product introduction activities.
• Knowledge of purchasing practices, contract negotiation, commercial risk management, supplier relationship management, and cross-functional project execution.
Preferred:
• Experience in automotive Tier-1 program purchasing, Mechanical components, plastics, metallic parts, battery systems, BMS, electronics, PCBA/EMS, energy storage systems, or electrification-related products.
• Understanding of automotive launch processes including APQP, PPAP, IATF 16949, VDA expectations, customer gates, tooling readiness, and SOP stabilization.
• Experience managing suppliers across EMEA, North America, and Asia, including cost, capacity, delivery, tooling, and escalation topics.
• Knowledge of cost modeling, should-cost analysis, value engineering, design-to-cost, product lifecycle cost management, and supplier market analysis.
• Ability to lead supplier workshops, lessons learned reviews, launch escalations, and cross-functional cost improvement initiatives
#LI-TD1
#LI-Hybrid
What you get:
Medical, dental and vision care coverage and a 401(k) savings plan with company matching – all starting on date of hire
Tuition reimbursement, perks, and discounts
Parental and caregiver leave programs
All the usual benefits such as paid time off, flexible spending, short-and long-term disability, basic life insurance, business travel insurance, and Employee Assistance Program
Global market strength and worldwide market share leadership
HQ location earns LEED certification for sustainability plus a full-service cafeteria and workout facility
Clarios has been recognized as one of 2026's Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere. This prestigious recognition marks the fourth consecutive year Clarios has received this distinction.
Who we are:
Clarios is the force behind the world’s most recognizable car battery brands, powering vehicles from leading automakers like Ford, General Motors, Toyota, Honda, and Nissan. With 18,000 employees worldwide, we develop, manufacture, and distribute energy storage solutions while recovering, recycling, and reusing up to 99% of battery materials—setting the standard for sustainability in our industry. At Clarios, we’re not just making batteries; we’re shaping the future of sustainable transportation. Join our mission to innovate, push boundaries, and make a real impact. Discover your potential at Clarios—where your power meets endless possibilities.
Veterans/Military Spouses:
We value the leadership, adaptability, and technical expertise developed through military service. At Clarios, those capabilities thrive in an environment built on grit, ingenuity, and passion—where you can grow your career while helping to power progress worldwide. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to protected characteristics.
Equal Employment Opportunity:
We recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job. If your experience is close to what you see listed here, please apply. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is key to challenging the status quo. Therefore, we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our positions. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, status as a protected veteran or other protected characteristics protected by law. As a federal contractor, we are committed to not discriminating against any applicant or employee based on these protected statuses. We will also take affirmative action to ensure equal employment opportunities. Please let us know if you require accommodations during the interview process by emailing Special.Accommodations@Clarios.com. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and value diversity in our teams in terms of work experience, area of expertise, and all characteristics protected by laws in the countries where we operate. For more information on our commitment to sustainability, diversity, and equal opportunity, please read our latest report. We want you to know your rights because EEO is the law.
A Note to Job Applicants: please be aware of scams being perpetrated through the Internet and social media platforms. Clarios will never require a job applicant to pay money as part of the application or hiring process.
To All Recruitment Agencies: Clarios does not accept unsolicited agency resumes/CVs. Please do not forward resumes/CVs to our careers email addresses, Clarios employees or any other company location. Clarios is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes/CVs.
