Supply Chain Manager

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The Opportunity:

JR Automation, a Hitachi Group Company, is driven to deliver customer success worldwide. We provide intelligent automated manufacturing and distribution technology solutions that transform how the world's leading manufacturers make and distribute products. Our strength is our people and we're always looking to get stronger across North America, Europe, and Asia. Join us as a Supply Chain Manager in Auburn Hills, MI as we work together to bring innovative automation solutions to life.

Location Type: This is a full-time salary position based onsite in Auburn Hills, MI

What We Offer:

• Competitive wages, medical benefits starting your first day, and paid parental leave

• Opportunity to work on customized, 1-of-1 automation projects

• A collaborative, engineering-driven environment

• Career growth and skill development opportunities

• A role where craftsmanship and quality truly matter

• Work with cutting edge and innovative technologies

Role Overview

The Supply Chain Manager is responsible for leading and executing procurement strategies for an industrial automation OEM. This role focuses on sourcing and managing direct materials and key suppliers that support engineered-to-order (ETO), make-to-order (MTO), and standard product manufacturing. The Supply Chain Manager ensures component availability, cost competitiveness, supplier performance, and lifecycle continuity while supporting new product development and production execution through a team of buyers.

How You'll Make an Impact:

Supplier Management

• Develop and implement sourcing strategies for direct materials including automation components, electronics, electrical hardware, fabricated parts, and assemblies for Automation Projects.

• Manage Approved Vendor Lists (AVL) and support supplier selection for new and existing products alongside the Strategic Sourcing Team.

• Negotiate pricing, lead times, and contracts to reduce total cost of ownership.

• Establish strong supplier partnerships to support capacity planning, technical requirements, and continuous improvement.

• Monitor supplier performance metrics (OTD, quality, cost, responsiveness) and lead corrective action efforts.

OEM-Focused Procurement Operations

• Oversee purchasing processes aligned with BOM structures, routings, and MRP/ERP demand signals.

• Ensure material availability to support production schedules, customer orders, and project milestones.

• Manage long lead-time and sole-source components commonly used in automation OEM environments.

• Drive proactive expediting, shortage resolution, and de-risking of supply constraints.

• Ensure purchase orders, pricing, and lead times are accurately maintained in ERP systems.

Engineering Support

• Partner with Engineering on New Product Introduction (NPI), redesigns, and component standardization.

• Manage component lifecycle risks such as end-of-life (EOL), obsolescence, and supplier discontinuations.

• Participate in change management processes (ECR/ECO) to ensure supply continuity and cost control.

Cost Control & Financial Performance

• Drive cost reduction initiatives including value engineering & supplier consolidation/reduction.

• Track and manage Purchase Savings and Avoidance during project execution.

• Support annual budgeting, forecasting, and cost roll-ups for standard and configured products.

• Balance inventory investment with customer lead time and service level requirements.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Lead and develop the purchasing team, setting clear expectations and performance goals.

• Collaborate closely with Manufacturing, Planning, Quality, Finance, and Project Management teams.

• Support Sales and Program Management with customer-specific sourcing requirements

• Act as the escalation point for critical supply chain risks impacting customer delivery.

Compliance, Risk & Continuous Improvement

• Ensure compliance with internal procurement policies, contract terms, and audit requirements.

• Identify and mitigate supply chain risks including geopolitical exposure and capacity constraints.

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives in procurement processes, systems, and supplier performance.

• Support supplier audits, quality initiatives, and sustainability goals as required.

Note: This list of responsibilities is by no means inclusive; however, it is intended to be a guideline for activities.

What You'll Bring:

• Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or a related field

• 7-10+ years of purchasing or procurement experience in a manufacturing OEM environment

• 3+ years of people leadership experience

• Experience working in manufacturing, supply chain, or corporate environments (preferred)

• Strong experience with BOM-based purchasing and MRP-driven environments

• Proficiency with ERP systems (Epicor, SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, or similar)

• Industrial automation, electrical equipment, or capital equipment OEM experience preferred

• Experience supporting ETO/MTO or low-to-medium volume, high-mix manufacturing

• Professional certifications (CPSM, CPIM, CSCP) preferred

• Global Sourcing and supplier management experience preferred

• Strong negotiation and supplier relationship management skills

• Solid understanding of OEM manufacturing workflows and engineering dependencies

• Analytical and data-driven decision-making capability

• Ability to manage complexity and competing priorities in a project-based environment

• Effective leadership and communication skills across technical and non-technical teams

Disclaimer: JR Automation requires candidates to successfully complete a 10-panel drug screen, physical examination, and background check.

Company Overview:

At JR Automation, A Hitachi Group Company, we discover potential, reimagine limits, and advance industry. When faced with a problem, we find a solution. Together, we push what's possible to automate for tomorrow.

Join our team of 2,000+ at one of our 20+ facilities around the world and be a part of the most experienced team of advanced automation integrators.

Fueled by Possible.

Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE)-Females/Minorities/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

If you need a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job at JR Automation, please send the nature of request and contact information to jrcareers@jrautomation.com. Queries other than accommodation requests will not be responded to.