Capital Tooling & Automation Sourcing Lead

Capital Tooling & Automation Sourcing Lead

Location: Southfield, Michigan (Hybrid) | Contract: 9–12 months | Compensation: Approximately $40–$50 per hour (based on proven work history)

A day in this role

You start your morning partnering with Engineering to validate specs on a new automation cell, then pivot to issuing RFQs for material handling equipment supporting an upcoming launch. After lunch, you negotiate pricing, terms, and warranties with a robotics supplier and lead a corrective action review with another vendor. You close the day updating ERP, reconciling capex-to-budget, and presenting sourcing recommendations to Program Management.

What you will own

• Strategic sourcing: Lead RFQs, analyze proposals, and negotiate commercial terms for tooling, capital equipment, fixtures, automation, and production support services.
• Supplier development: Identify, qualify, and grow a resilient supply base that delivers quality, cost, and continuity.
• Tooling & equipment stewardship: Ensure purchased assets meet technical, safety, quality, and operational requirements; support launches, capacity expansions, and plant improvements.
• Governance & reporting: Maintain contracts and purchasing records; leverage procurement systems to track spend, savings, and supplier performance.

How you will collaborate

• Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing/Operations, Quality, Finance, and Program Management to align procurement strategy with program timing and business objectives.
• Participate in sourcing reviews, launch readiness meetings, and capital approval discussions.
• Lead supplier business reviews and manage corrective actions when needed.

Cost leadership & continuous improvement

• Deliver total cost of ownership improvements via competitive sourcing, supplier consolidation, standardization, and process enhancements.
• Analyze spend and KPI trends to inform decisions and surface savings opportunities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field.
• 3–7 years in procurement, purchasing, sourcing, or supply chain.
• Experience with tooling, capital equipment, automation systems, manufacturing equipment, or MRO suppliers preferred.
• Automotive and/or manufacturing industry experience strongly preferred.

Skills that set you apart

• Expert negotiation and supplier management.
• Working knowledge of tooling, manufacturing processes, automation, and capital equipment.
• Ability to read engineering drawings, specifications, and equipment requirements.
• Analytical problem solver with strong prioritization in fast-paced environments.
• Proficient with ERP and Microsoft Office; strong communication and stakeholder engagement.

Typical categories you will manage

• Production tooling; injection molding tools and components; secondary tooling and fixtures
• Automation and robotics; material handling equipment
• Testing and validation equipment; plant equipment and machinery
• MRO supplies and services; industrial maintenance services
• Capital projects and facility equipment

Compliance

A successful candidate will be subject to a background check and must receive satisfactory results of the same, as a condition of joining the team.

By applying, you confirm the information you submit is true and complete. Providing false or fraudulent information may result in denial or revocation of an offer, or other corrective action up to and including termination after employment begins.