About this opportunity
CGP Search lists this Procurement Director - Direct Materials (Automotive) -bilingual Mandarin opportunity in detroit, Michigan. Review the employer’s description below for duties, qualifications and application requirements.
Job description
US Procurement Director – Direct Materials
Our client is a global propulsion and automotive systems company expanding its footprint in North America. As part of this growth, they are establishing a regional procurement organization and are seeking a US Procurement Director to lead localization, supplier industrialization, and cost competitiveness across the region.
This is a foundational leadership role , with a clear path to Regional Head of Procurement – North America as the business scales.
The Role
The US Procurement Director will build and lead the North American direct‑materials procurement function from the ground up. The role serves as a critical interface between China‑based development and industrialization teams and U.S. manufacturing and supplier ecosystems.
The position is based in the Detroit area and requires frequent travel to China (including an initial extended assignment) and global supplier locations.
Key Responsibilities
Define and execute procurement and localization strategy for North American operations
Establish the regional procurement organization, processes, and governance
Lead supplier scouting, RFIs/RFQs, cost benchmarking, and sourcing decisions
Drive supplier industrialization, tooling awards, and contract negotiations
Support product localization from China into U.S. and Mexico supplier bases
Lead procurement activities through industrialization, launch, and post‑launch cost optimization
Act as the regional procurement lead across cross‑functional programs (R&D, Quality, Manufacturing, Logistics, Finance)
Candidate Profile
15–20 years’ experience in automotive procurement , ideally within OEM or Tier‑1 environments
Strong background in powertrain, drivetrain, or complex automotive systems sourcing
Proven experience leading localization and cross‑border sourcing projects
Deep understanding of North American automotive supplier ecosystems
Prior exposure to China‑based suppliers, manufacturing, or engineering teams strongly preferred
Fluent in English and Mandarin (written and spoken)
Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to operate hands‑on initially and scale a team over time
Why This Opportunity
Build a regional procurement organization from inception
High‑visibility role with direct influence on cost, supplier strategy, and localization success
Clear progression to Regional Head of Procurement – North America
Operate at the intersection of global engineering, sourcing, and industrialization
Location: Detroit area, United States
Travel: Extensive (China and global suppliers)
Level: Senior Professional / Director
Seniority level
Director
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Purchasing
Industries
Motor Vehicle Manufacturing
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Worksite address
detroit, MI, 48228, US
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.