Supply Chain Project Manager – REE, Magnets
Ford Motor Company
full-time
Posted on:
Location Type: Hybrid
Location: Dearborn • Missouri • United States
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Tech Stack
About the role
- Lead end-to-end project execution for rare earth and magnet supply chain initiatives, from initiation through completion, ensuring projects are delivered on schedule, within scope, and aligned with organizational objectives.
- Develop comprehensive project estimates, plans, and approaches, tracking milestones and evaluating project issues to facilitate timely resolution.
- Guide all supply chain initiatives, including new product introductions, product changes, logistical enhancements, and vendor changes.
- Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of project execution processes, standardizing workflows for scheduling, cost control, procurement, and risk management.
- Develop and implement global sourcing strategies for critical rare earth materials, components, and magnets, identifying and qualifying new sources worldwide.
- Analyze and manage critical lead times for materials, logistics, quality assurance processes, and customs clearance across diverse international jurisdictions.
- Research supplier markets and pricing trends for key commodities and services, providing subject matter expertise on the rare earth and recycling markets.
- Collaborate closely with engineering, program, legal, finance, and sustainability teams to align supply chain activities with business and technical requirements.
- Identify, evaluate, qualify, and manage relationships with global suppliers (e.g., miners, refiners, manufacturers, traders, recyclers), supporting onboarding processes and ensuring operational integration.
- Negotiate complex commercial agreements, ensuring favorable terms that mitigate a broad range of risks, including geopolitical instability, price volatility, and logistical disruptions.
- Monitor supplier performance against key metrics (cost, quality, delivery) and recommend improvements.
- Actively manage and optimize supplier relationships to reduce lead times, lower costs, and enhance overall efficiency.
- Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate supply chain risks, including geopolitical instability, price volatility, logistical disruptions, policy/tariff changes, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) concerns.
- Implement due diligence and traceability processes to ensure responsible sourcing.
- Ensure adherence to company processes, quality expectations, and compliance requirements.
- Support the rollout of supply chain technology platforms (e.g., project management software, ERP/MRP systems) and contribute to related training and onboarding materials.
- Identify inefficiencies and drive the adoption of best practices, templates, and tools to improve project delivery performance.
- Analyze supplier data to identify risks, trends, issues, and opportunities, enacting change for performance improvement or risk avoidance.
Requirements
- Bachelor's Degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Material Science, Economics, or a related field. An MBA or Master's degree in Supply Chain Management is preferred.
- Minimum of 7+ years of progressive experience in an operational capacity within strategic sourcing, commodity management, or supply chain roles, preferably within complex global industries.
- Hands-on experience with rare earths, magnets, or advanced materials supply chains is essential.
- Proven track record in program management and scaling new manufacturing facilities or supply chains.
- Experience with new product introduction, supply planning, demand management, and forecasting.
- Experience leading the implementation of new organizational processes aligned with ERP configuration.
- Strong project management skills, including the ability to manage end-to-end execution, generate and track milestones, and resolve issues.
- Outstanding analytical, detail-oriented, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to evaluate supplier proposals, cost drivers, and market trends.
- Excellent communication, influencing, and negotiation skills with internal and external stakeholders, including senior levels.
- Strong cross-functional leadership and collaboration abilities, capable of working with diverse teams (engineering, legal, finance, sustainability).
- Ability to interpret technical drawings and standards, and clearly communicate these requirements to suppliers.
- Proven ability to proactively identify, assess, and mitigate complex supply chain risks, including geopolitical and logistical challenges.
- Knowledge of business systems and technology for managing supply chains, including ERP/MRP experience.
Benefits
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Applicant Tracking System Keywords
Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.
Hard Skills & Tools
project managementstrategic sourcingcommodity managementsupply chain managementrisk managementdata analysisnegotiationforecastingcost controlquality assurance
Soft Skills
analytical skillsproblem-solvingcommunication skillsinfluencing skillscollaborationleadershipdetail-orientedcross-functional teamworkstakeholder managementadaptability
Certifications
Bachelor's DegreeMaster's DegreeMBASupply Chain Management certification