Director of MRO Purchasing

We are AUTOKINITON

AUTOKINITON delivers operational excellence, high-quality execution, and customer service. We offer 100% vertical integration capabilities such as end-to-end engineering, manufacturing, and in-house logistics.

We’re proud of our Tier 1 supplier legacy for manufacturing propulsion-agnostic, structural automotive components, and assemblies around the globe.

To help us drive excellence, you’ll get to:

• Provides key input, including measurable targets, into the development of departmental strategic goals, with a focus on MRO supply continuity, cost optimization, and operational uptime.
• Responsible for meeting MRO purchasing objectives and providing information for performance metrics to effectively track, monitor, and implement improvement activities related to inventory availability, supplier performance, cost savings, and overall business goals.
• Maintains highly confidential information related to the Company’s business operations, maintenance strategies, and sourcing initiatives.
• Supports negotiations of complex MRO vendor contracts, including service agreements, consignment programs, and critical spare parts sourcing, escalating issues as needed to meet operational and financial objectives.
• Oversee the development and qualifications of new MRO suppliers to support operational reliability, risk mitigation, and strategic cost initiatives.
• Responsible for reviewing and approving, per the delegation of authority matrix, sourcing decisions including long-term agreements for MRO materials, services, and critical maintenance components.
• Manages purchasing team members, including MRO commodity assignments (e.g., spare parts, consumables, equipment, services) and special projects such as inventory optimization, supplier consolidation, and cost reduction initiatives.
• Analyzes current MRO purchasing processes and systems, identifying and implementing improvements to enhance efficiency, inventory accuracy, and cost control.
• Ensures timely acquisition and availability of MRO products, parts, and materials to support maintenance schedules and minimize production downtime.
• Partners with operations, maintenance, and engineering teams to ensure alignment of MRO purchasing support for new equipment installations and facility expansions.
• Establishes workload priorities that balance urgent operational needs with long-term strategic sourcing and inventory planning activities.
• Supports Customer Service and operations teams during quoting for major programs by providing MRO cost inputs, supplier insights, and risk considerations as needed.
• Prepares and presents reports, analyses, and updates related to MRO spend, supplier performance, inventory levels, and cost-saving initiatives.
• Responsible for adhering to all internal and OSHA-required safety procedures, particularly as they relate to MRO materials handling, storage, and supplier compliance.
• Works with other departments to ensure proper process and paperwork are followed to sell obsolete assets.
• Confers with outside consultants to procure utilities where open market options are available.
• Provide forecast for utility costs.
• Review and support capital plan for forklift and manlift budget.
• Performs audits of purchasing processes to ensure compliance.
• Direct annual hotel rfq and rate entry into systems.
• Ensures compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations, as well as corporate policies related to purchasing, safety, and environmental standards.
• This salaried-exempt role has an 8-member team and reports to our Corporate Purchasing Director.

SUCCESS FACTORS:

• Bachelor’s Degree / Masters preferred in related field. CPM a plus.
• Minimum of ten (10) years’ experience with seven (7) years supervisory/management experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in Purchasing processes and practices along with the ability to set priorities and manage a variety of tasks.
• Ability to work through complex business issues and identify required actions.
• Solid understanding of business planning processes.
• Requires leadership ability, excellent interpersonal skills, and the proven ability to develop relationships and influence at all levels within the organization.
• Demonstrated presentation, oral and written communication skills are essential.
• Excellent organizational, analytical and customer service skills.
• Ability to work well with others in a team environment.
• Knowledge of auto industry production, service and quality standards.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office software and ERP systems.

Working conditions:

· We’ll provide position-specific details including physical and focused efforts, working environment and conditions, and reasonable accommodations during the interview process

Where you’ll be:

This position is located at our Corporate office in New Boston, MI and supports our Corporate team, offering many community events, resources, programs, and recreational opportunities for you and your family.

Community features:

· Close to Downtown Ann Arbor, MI

· Willow Metro Park

Why you’ll enjoy working here:

• Competitive Wages and Comprehensive Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k) with Company contribution match, and 14 paid holidays, including a bridge holiday in December.

• Work-Life Balance: Many of our Associates have stayed with us for 25+ years! It takes a good work-life balance to make it that far. We support your personal and professional priorities as they impact your well-being.

• Growth Opportunities: Take your career to the next level through tuition reimbursement programs, on-the-job training, learning management systems, and advancement opportunities from within our organization.

• Learning and Development: We empower all our Associates – from entry-level to senior-level – with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in their current roles and beyond at AUTOKINITON.

AUTOKINITON Promotes a dynamic and collaborative work environment for everyone.

AUTOKINITON is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. AUTOKINITON makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.

Required Skills

Required Experience